Face2Face (Babyface album)

Face2Face is the fifth studio album from R&B singer Babyface. It was released by Nu America and Arista Records on September 11, 2001 in the United States. His first album in five years after 1996's The Day, it also marked Babyface's first album with Arista, which reunited him with his former songwriting and production partner L.A. Reid who was the president of the label at the time of the album's release.[1]

Face2Face
Studio album by
Babyface
ReleasedSeptember 11, 2001
Length58:58
Label
Producer
Babyface chronology
Love Songs
(2001)		 Face2Face
(2001)		 The Essential Babyface
(2003)

The album was a radical departure from his previous works, as the balladeer was focused on more uptempo songs. Face2Face was also different due to Babyface working with outside producers on roughly half of the album. Producers on the album included Tim & Bob, Heavy D, The Neptunes, Diggin' in the Crates producer Buckwild, Brian McKnight's associate producer Anthony Nance and Dan Reed Network member Brion James.

Reviews of the album were mixed, as critics and fans did not know what to make of Babyface's new musical direction.[2] Face2Face is notable for being one of a few albums released on the same day as the September 11 attacks.[3] It was released alongside other recordings such as Slayer's God Hates Us All, Jay-Z's The Blueprint, Dream Theater's Live Scenes from New York, Mariah Carey's Glitter, Fabolous's Ghetto Fabolous and Nickelback's Silver Side Up.[4]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Entertainment WeeklyD[6]
Los Angeles Times[7]
Robert ChristgauA−[8]

Allmusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called Face2Face "a gleaming, stylish platter of urban funk and smooth soul that is easily among his very best records [...] Though he's dabbled in funk since the beginning of his career, the grooves here cut deeper and are flashier than ever before, and the sweet croon of his voice just makes them seem deeper. Then there are the ballads that he's always excelled at – they're just as good here, but they not only offer good contrast, they sound better in this context, surrounded by such exquisite dance numbers and grooves [...] Babyface has never been in better form, and from beginning to end, this record captures him at the peak of his powers."[5]

Track listing
Face2Face track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Outside In/Inside Out"
3:16
2."There She Goes"
The Neptunes4:31
3."What If"K. EdmondsBabyface4:07
4."Stressed Out"
  • K. Edmonds
  • Hugo
  • Williams
The Neptunes3:35
5."Baby's Mama" (featuring Snoop Dogg)
Megahertz3:55
6."How Can U Be Down"K. EdmondsBabyface4:41
7."Work It Out"
4:11
8."I Keep Callin'"
  • K. Edmonds
  • Heavy D
  • Brion James
  • Anthony Nance
  • Babyface
  • Heavy D
4:29
9."With Him"K. EdmondsBabyface4:45
10."Wish U Was My Girl"
Babyface4:02
11."U Should Know"
  • J. Edmonds
  • K. Edmonds
Babyface3:52
12."Don't Take It So Personal"
  • Edmonds
  • James
  • Nance
  • Babyface
  • Nance
  • James
3:43
13."Still in Love with U"
  • J. Edmonds
  • K. Edmonds
Babyface4:00
14."Lover and Friend"
  • Anthony Best
  • J. Edmonds
  • K. Edmonds
  • Babyface
  • Buckwild
5:51
Total length:58:58
Japan bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" (with Gwyneth Paltrow)EdmondsBabyface4:10
Total length:63:08

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[9]

  • Keyboard programming – Babyface, The Neptunes, Mike City, Megahertz, Heavy D, Anthony Nance, Brion James, Tim Kelley
  • Drum programming – Tim Kelley, Anthony Nance, Buckwild, The Neptunes, Mike City
  • Bass – Babyface
  • Acoustic guitar – Babyface
  • Electric guitar – Babyface, Bob Robinson, Brion James
  • Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes – Wayne Lindsey
  • Hammond B-3 organ – Bob Robinson
  • Background vocals – Babyface, Mike City, Pharrell Williams, Latrelle Simmons
  • Recording – Paul Boutin, Brian Garten
  • Mixing – Jean Marie Horvat, Josean Posey, Edward Quesada, Derek Carlson
  • Executive producer – Antonio "L.A." Reid
  • Photography – Christian Lantry, Sante D'Orazio
  • Art direction, design – Gravillis, Inc.

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[14] Platinum 200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Huey, Steve. "Babyface - Biography". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
  2. "Babyface tries being 'Grown & Sexy'". today.com. NBC News. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
  3. Mitchell, Gail (July 23, 2005). Babyface Is Back. Billboard (Paperback ed.). p. 31. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  4. Kangas, Chaz. "September 11th, 2001 Was a "Super Tuesday" of Album Releases". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
  5. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Face2Face at AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  6. Seymour, Craig (2000-12-01). "MUSIC REVIEW: Face2Face: Kenneth Babyface Edmonds". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  7. Weingarten, Marc (2001-09-16). "Record Rack: A Strong Crop in Fall's First Harvest". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  8. Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Album: Babyface: Face2Face". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  9. Face2Face (booklet). Arista Records. 2001.
  10. "フェイス 2 フェイス／ベイビーフェイス-リリース-ORICON STYLE-ミュージック" [Highest position and charting weeks for Face2Face by Babyface]. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Original Confidence. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  11. "Babyface Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  12. "Babyface Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  13. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  14. "RIAJ > The Record > November 2001 > Certified Awards (September 2001)" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
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