LaFace 26007
Executive producers: Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds
Track listing: Another Sad Love Song / Breathe Again / Seven Whole Days / Love Affair / Candlelight / Spending My Time with You / Love Shoulda Brought You Home / I Belong to You / How Many Ways / You Mean the World to Me / Best Friend / Breathe Again (Reprise)
February 26, 1994
2 weeks (nonconsecutive)
Initially Toni Braxton was just one of the Braxtons, a group she formed with her four sisters. The group’s 1990 album was a commercial failure, but Toni garnered the attention of the red-hot production team of Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, known for their work with Bobby Brown. The LaFace duo first put Braxton in the spotlight on the 1992 Boomerang soundtrack. She was featured on two tracks, “Love Shoulda Brought You Home” and “Give U My Heart,” a duet with Babyface. The singles reached numbers four and two, respectively, on the Hot R&B Singles chart, serving the perfect setup for Braxton’s self-titled solo album.
“It was kind of all coming together at the same time,” says Edmonds of Braxton’s debut album and contributions on Boomerang. “‘Love Shoulda Brought You Home’ was from Boomerang and during the same time that we did that song, ‘You Mean the World to Me’ was written and recorded.” The latter track, written by Edmonds, Daryl Simmons, and Bo Watson, was originally penned with Anita Baker in mind, says Edmonds.
While the producers were putting together Boomerang, Braxton never wandered far from the scene. “She was kind of like a little sister hanging around,” Edmonds says. “We finished that project and then went on to do more things with her.”
Although Edmonds and Reid supervised Braxton’s entire album, they weren’t the only producers involved in the project. She also worked with a number 0f up-and-coming producers and songwriters, including Vincent Herbert, with whom Braxton co-wrote “How Many Ways,” and Tim Thomas and Ted Bishop, who wrote “Love Affair.” Other producers involved in the album included Three Boys from Newark (“How Many Ways”), former Midnight Starr members Melvin & Moe (“Spending My Time”), and Ernesto Phillips, who co-wrote and co-produced “Best Friends” with Braxton.
One of the standout tracks is “Breathe Again,” which was one of the last tunes written and recorded for album. Says Edmonds, “While I was writing it she came in and said, ‘That’s the one for me.'” Braxton’s hunch was right. On January 22, 1994, “Breathe Again” reached number three, becoming Braxton’s second consecutive top 10 single. (“Another Sad Love Song” had peaked at number seven in November 1993.)
The hit singles were only the beginning of Braxton’s roll. On February 7, 1994, she picked up awards for favorite new artist in the soul/R&B and adult contemporary categories at the American Music Awards; she was also featured performing “Another Sad Love Song” on the show. The awards and the added exposure from the TV performance were enough to boost Toni Braxton from number seven all the way to the top in its 31st week on the chart. After a one-week stay at the top, the album fell and then returned to the summit a month later in the wake of Braxton’s Grammy wins for best new artist and best R&B vocal performance for “Another Sad Song.”
THE TOP FIVE
Week of February 26, 1994
1. Toni Braxton, Toni Braxton
2. Music Box, Mariah Carey
3. Doggystyle, Snoop Doggy Dogg
4. Kickin’ It Up, John Michael Montgomery
5. 12 Play, R. Kelly