So Many Ways

So Many Ways
Studio album by The Braxtons
Released	August 13, 1996 (original version) November 19, 1996 (later pressings)
Recorded	1995-1996
Genre	R&B, pop
Length	59:20
Label	Atlantic
Producer	Jermaine Dupri, Tricky Stewart, Sean "Sep" Hall, Daryl Simmons, Allen "Allstar" Gordon, Donald Parks, Emmanuel Officer, John Howcott, Kenny Gonzalez, Little Louie Vega
The Braxtons chronology
So Many Ways (1996) Braxton Family Christmas (2015)
Singles from So Many Ways
"So Many Ways" ""Only Love"" Released: November 26, 1996 ""The Boss"" Released: March 1, 1997 ""Slow Flow""

So Many Ways is a 1996 album by R&B female group The Braxtons. The album produced four singles, "So Many Ways", "Only Love", "Slow Flow" and "The Boss" which peaked at number-one in the Billboard Dance Charts.

"So Many Ways" peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.^[1] It reached #3 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.^[2]

Background

The Braxtons originally started out in 1989. They first signed as a fivesome to Arista Records which consisted of Toni Braxton and her four sisters, Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci. In 1990, they released their first single "Good Life". It would be their only single as a fivesome. "Good Life" failed to become a hit and The Braxtons were dropped from Arista Records. Despite the single's underwhelming performance, Toni Braxton's vocals caught the attention of Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds who were in the process of forming LaFace Records. Eventually, Toni signed as a solo artist and started her career in 1992.

In 1996, three out of the four Braxtons, Trina, Tamar and Towanda reunited and released their album So Many Ways. Their older sister Traci, did not join them as she was pregnant at the time they signed a new contract. The album produced four singles, "So Many Ways", "Only Love", "Slow Flow" and "The Boss" which peaked at number-one in the Billboard Dance Charts.

Singles

The Braxtons released a music video in order to promote "So Many Ways". It was directed by Cameron Casey and featured upcoming actor Mekhi Phifer.^[3] The trio also performed a remixed version of "So Many Ways" with rapper Jay-Z on September 9, 1996 at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.^[4] The single was also used as the opening track for the soundtrack to the comedy film High School High.^[5] "So Many Ways" went on to peak at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1996, No. 22 on the Billboard R&B Charts and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1997.^[6]

The album's second single, "Only Love", was released on January 25, 1997 and peaked at number 52 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. A music video for this song was also released.^[1]

A Masters At Work remix version of The Braxtons' cover of "The Boss" reached number 1 on Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart in early 1997.^[1]

"Slow Flow" was the final single released from So Many Ways. It peaked at No. 26 on the UK Charts in July 1997, becoming their highest charting single in the UK.^[7]

The Braxtons also served as the opening act for Toni Braxton on the European Leg of her Secrets Tour in 1997.

Performances

"So Many Ways" peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.^[1] It reached #3 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.^[2]

Reform

As of 2011, there have been talks of reforming the group, as discussed in the Braxton Family Values, a reality show which features all five Braxton sisters. The Braxtons have expressed a possibility of recording a new album especially after the success of their reality show. This will be the first time Traci will be joining the group after failing to be part of the first album. The Braxtons have also been open to the possibility of Toni Braxton joining the group for the album's recording as well.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"So Many Ways"	Carl-So-Lowe Jermaine Dupri	Jermaine Dupri	3:54
2.	"Slow Flow"	Sean "Sep" Hall London Jones Christopher "Tricky" Stewart	Christopher "Tricky" Stewart Sean "Sep" Hall	4:24
3.	"Only Love"	Anthony Burroughs Andrea Martin Ivan Matias	Allen "Allstar" Gordon	4:25
4.	"I'd Still Say Yes"	Babyface Joyce "Fenderella" Irby	Daryl Simmons	4:42
5.	"L.A.D.I."	Traci Braxton The Braxtons Stewart	Stewart Hall	4:10
6.	"Take Home to Momma"	Dupri Manuel Seal, Jr.	Dupri	4:29
7.	"Where's the Good in Goodbye"	Stewart	Stewart Hall	5:23
8.	"What Does It Take All-Star"	Joel Campbell Andrea Martin	Gordon	5:26
9.	"Girl on the Side"	Traci Braxton Braxtons London Jones Stewart	Stewart Hall	4:42
10.	"In a Special Way"	Tabitha Duncan John Howcott Emanuel Officer Donald Parks	Donald Parks Emanuel Officer John Howcott	4:55
11.	"Never Say Goodbye"	Howcott Silena Murrell Officer Parks	Parks Officer Howcott	3:09
12.	"The Boss"	Nick Ashford Valerie Simpson	Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez, "Little" Louie Vega	9:41

Japan bonus Track[8]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
13.	"24/7"	Officer Rory Bennett Robbie Nevil	Parks Officer Howcott	4:29

Charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[1]	26
Heatseekers Albums[2]	3

References

1. "The Braxtons - Chart history". Billboard.com. 1996-10-05. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
2. The Braxtons So Many Ways Charts album on Billboard Heatseekers on book google.fr
3. Reynolds, J.R. "So Many Ways." Billboard Magazine. September 14, 1996: 30. Print.
4. Archived January 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
5. "Ira Newborn, Various Artists: High School High: The Soundtrack: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
6. "BRAXTONS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
7. "BRAXTONS | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
8. "The Braxtons – So Many Ways (CD,Album) at Discogs". discogs.com. December 17, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 1996. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)

External links

• Next (Sep 1996): The Braxtons at Vibe