Hurricane (Eric Benét album)

Hurricane is the third studio album by American R&B recording artist Eric Benét, released June 21, 2005, on Friday Records, with distributing by Reprise Records.[5] It is the follow-up to his second album A Day in the Life (1999) and follows the shelving of his Better and Better project for Warner Bros. Records. Recorded at various recording studios, the album was written and produced by Benét with several other producers, including Walter Afanasieff, Michael Carney, Hod David, David Foster, George Nash, Jr., and Demonté Posey.

Hurricane
Studio album by
Eric Benét
ReleasedJune 21, 2005
Genre
Length59:49
LabelFriday, Reprise
ProducerWalter Afanasieff, Eric Benét, Michael Carney, Hod David, Andy Duncan, David Foster, Humberto Gatica, George Nash, Jr., Demonté Posey, Drew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders
Eric Benét chronology
Better and Better
(2001)		 Hurricane
(2005)		 Love & Life
(2008)
Singles from Hurricane
  1. "I Wanna Be Loved"
    Released: May 10, 2005
  2. "Hurricane"
    Released: 2005
  3. "Pretty Baby"
    Released: June 6, 2006
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Mojo[2]
Vibe[3]
The Washington Post(favorable)[4]

Recording

Recording sessions for the album took place at various recording locations, including the Hit Factory in New York, New York, Bowery Digital, Chalice Studios, Ocean Way Studio, The Studio, Warner Bros. Sound Stage, and Westlake Audio in Los Angeles, California, Chartmaker Studios, Drew's Groove Studios, Panic Room, and Soundstage Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, Jade Studios and Jupiter Studios in Franklin, Tennessee, and Eastman Scoring Stage in Burbank, California.[2] Production was handled by Benét and several other record producers, including Walter Afanasieff, Michael Carney, Hod David, Dave Foster, George Nash, Jr., and Demonté Posey.[6]

Composition

Hurricane incorporates musical elements of gospel and contributions from jazz musicians Roy Hargrove, Chris Botti, and Viktor Krauss.[4] A departure from the jazzy, groove-based urban sound of Benét's previous work, the album features an adult contemporary radio format style, with sweeping strings, layered vocals, and nimble acoustic guitars.[7] According to Rashod D. Ollison of The Washington Post, "Hurricane is lush in spots, the overall sound more in the adult contemporary vein. More Christopher Cross, less R. Kelly".[7]

Reception

Allmusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave it three-and-a-half out of four stars and commented that "The quiet storm is well performed but dull, yet the Prince-styled numbers are engaging, melodic, and nimble, strong showcases for Benet's mellow skills".[1] Mojo gave the album three out of five stars and called it "a very palatable collection of self-penned confessional songs".[2] Laura Checkoway of Vibe called it "an uneven mix of simplistic sentimentality", stating "Reflective and repentant at times, Hurricane is more likely to sing you to sleep than knock you off your feet".[3] The Washington Post commented favorably on the album's themes of "healing and redemption", and stated "The spiritual tone often brings out the best in [Eric Benet]'s supple tenor on 'In The End' and other tracks".[4]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Be Myself Again"Eric Benét, Hod David, Andrew WyattEric Benét, Hod David3:21
2."Pretty Baby"Benét, George Nash, Jr., Demonté PoseyDemonté Posey, Eric Benét, George Nash, Jr.4:56
3."Hurricane"Benét, David FosterDavid Foster, Humberto Gatica4:40
4."Where Does the Love Go"Benét, David, WyattHod David4:13
5."My Prayer"Walter Afanasieff, Benét, John LangWalter Afanasieff5:09
6."Man Enough to Cry"Benét, Dean ParksDavid Foster, Humberto Gatica4:13
7."I Know"Benét, Drew Ramsey, Shannon SaundersDrew Ramsey, Shannon Saunders3:43
8."India"Benét, Parks, Danny PeckWalter Afanasieff4:08
9."The Last Time"Benét, Amy Foster-Gillies, FosterDavid Foster, Humberto Gatica3:41
10."In the End"Benét, Neal Larson, Linda ThompsonWalter Afanasieff3:43
11."Making Love"Benét, Michael Carney, Andy DuncanAndy Duncan, Eric Benét, Michael Carney4:23
12."Cracks of My Broken Heart"Afanasieff, Benét, Tim Blixseth, Jonathan ClarkWalter Afanasieff4:36
13."I Wanna Be Loved"Benét, PoseyDemonté Posey, Eric Benét4:38
14."Still with You"Afanasieff, Benét, BlixsethWalter Afanasieff4:40

Personnel

Credits for Hurricane adapted from Allmusic.[6]

Musicians

Production

Charts
Chart (2010) Peak
Position
US Billboard 200[8] 133
US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[9] 27

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2005). Review: Hurricane. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.
  2. Product Notes – Hurricane. Muze. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.
  3. Checkoway, Laura (August 2005). "Review: Hurricane". Vibe: 148.
  4. Columnist (August 12, 2005). "Review: Hurricane". The Washington Post: T.06.
  5. Mitchell, Gail (September 3, 2005). Rhythm & Blues – Stormy Days for Benét. Billboard: 80. Retrieved on 2011-06-08.
  6. Credits: Hurricane. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.
  7. Ollison, Rashod D. (August 11, 2005). "Eric Benet Is Back, But So Is His Baggage". The Washington Post: 18.T.
  8. Eric Benét Album & Song Chart History – Billboard 200. Billboard. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.
  9. Eric Benét Album & Song Chart History – R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Billboard. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.
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