Traces of My Lipstick

Traces of My Lipstick is the third studio album by American R&B group Xscape. The album was released on May 12, 1998, through So So Def Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment.[1][2] The album was preceded by the release of three singles — "The Arms of the One Who Loves You", "My Little Secret" and "Softest Place on Earth".

Traces of My Lipstick
Studio album by
Xscape
ReleasedMay 12, 1998
Recorded1997–1998
GenreR&B, pop, hip hop soul
Length52:42
Label
ProducerJermaine Dupri, Joe Thomas, Manuel Seal, Jr., Daryl Simmons, Keith Sweat, Warryn Campbell, Guy Roche
Xscape chronology
Off the Hook
(1995)		 Traces of My Lipstick
(1998)		 Understanding
(2002)
Singles from Traces of My Lipstick
  1. "The Arms of the One Who Loves You"
    Released: February 14, 1998
  2. "My Little Secret"
    Released: July 7, 1998
  3. "Softest Place on Earth"
    Released: September 29, 1998

The album debuted at number twenty-eight on the US Billboard 200[3] and number six Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[4] The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA the on June 21, 1999.[5]

Background and release

"Traces of My Lipstick" was the group's first album in three years after the release of their second album Off the Hook (1995). As with previous albums Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha (1993) and Off the Hook (1995), the album was chiefly produced by Jermaine Dupri with Manuel Seal, Jr. and Daryl Simmons, with addition production from Babyface, Joe Thomas, Warryn Campbell and Keith Sweat.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[6]
Entertainment WeeklyB[7]
The Source(favorable)[8]

The album was met with positive to mixed reviews from critics. Leo Stanley from Allmusic reviewed the album giving it a 3 out of 5 stating "On their third album, Traces of My Lipstick, Xscape pretty much follows the cue of their two earlier efforts, with only slightly diminished results. The group sounds as good as ever, bringing real soul and passion to their performances, but unfortunately much of their record consists of average, unremarkable material. There are enough strong songs (primarily the singles) to make the record enjoyable, but it simply doesn't have the same resonance as their two earlier efforts."[6]

Singles

"The Arms of the One Who Loves You" was released as the lead single on February 14, 1998.[9] The song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart[10] and number four on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart.[11] It sold 800,000 copies, earning a gold certification from the RIAA.[12][13] "My Little Secret" was released as the album's second single on July 7, 1998.[14] The song charted at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart[15] and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart.[16] "Softest Place on Earth" was released as the album's third and final single on September 29, 1998. The song failed to impact on the Billboard Hot 100 but did chart at number twenty-eight on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart.[17]

Other songs

"Am I Dreaming" is a song by Ol' Skool featuring Keith Sweat and Xscape and was released on January 27, 1998. The song peaked at number five on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart.[18]

Commercial performance

Traces of My Lipstick debuted at number twenty-eight on the US Billboard 200 and number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, lower than their two previous albums. It eventually received platinum certification by the RIAA for more than one million copies shipped to stores.

Track listing
Traces of My Lipstick — Standard edition[1][2]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."All About Me" (Intro)
1:59
2."My Little Secret"
4:28
3."Softest Place on Earth"
  • Joseph "Joe" Thomas
  • Joshua Thompson
Joe Thomas4:16
4."Do You Know"
  • Dupri
  • Seal
3:36
5."One of Those Love Songs"
Campbell4:15
6."The Arms of the One Who Loves You"Diane WarrenGuy Roche4:20
7."I Will"
  • Dupri
  • Seal
4:10
8."Your Eyes"
Simmons5:09
9."All I Need"
  • Miles
  • Scott
4:21
10."Am I Dreamin'"Sam DeesKeith Sweat5:42
11."The Runaround"
  • Simmons
  • William Thomas
Simmons5:14
12."Hold On"
SOZO! Entertainment4:07
13."All About Me" (Reprise)
  • Dupri
  • Seal
1:04

Notes

  • ^a denotes co-producer

Credits and personnel

Musicians

Production
  • Executive producers: Jermaine Dupri, Michael Mauldin
  • Producers: Babyface, Jermaine Dupri, Joe, Manuel Seal, Jr., Daryl Simmons, Keith Sweat, Warryn Campbell, Guy Roche
  • Main performer: Xscape
  • Additional vocals: Jagged Edge, Daryl Simmons, Ol' Skool, Foxy Brown
  • Engineers: Brian Frye, Karl Heilbron, Chris Puram, Everett Ramos, Mike Seieizi, Brian Smith, Rich Tapper
  • Mixing: Jermaine Dupri, Tom "TK" Kidd, Neil Pogue, Chris Puram, Ron A. Shaffer, Phil Tan, Dave Way
  • Mixing assistance: John Frye, Kevin Lively, Alex Lowe, Thomas Rickert
  • Drum programming: Babyface, Bobby Crawford, Sean "Sep" Hall, William "P Sound" Thomas
  • Programming: Guy Roche, Joe Thomas

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[23] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Traces of My Lipstick by Xscape on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  2. "Traces of My Lipstick by Xscape on Apple Music". Apple Music (UK Store). Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  3. "Xscape Traces of My Lipstick Chart History Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  4. "Xscape Traces of My Lipstick Chart History Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  5. "American album certifications – Xscape". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 28 November 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  6. "Traces of My Lipstick - Xscape". All Music. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  7. Entertainment Weekly review
  8. Album reviews at CD Universe
  9. "Xscape - The Arms Of The One Who Loves You". Discogs. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  10. "Xscape The Arms Of The One Who Loves You Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  11. "Xscape The Arms Of The One Who Loves You Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  12. "Best-Selling Records of 1998". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 111 (5): 75. January 30, 1999. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  13. "American certifications – Xscape – The Arms of the One Who Loves You". Recording Industry Association of America.
  14. "Xscape - My Little Secret". Discogs. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  15. "Xscape My Little Secret Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  16. "Xscape My Little Secret Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  17. "Xscape Softest Place on Earth Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  18. "Xscape Am I Dreaming Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  19. "Xscape Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  20. "Xscape Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  21. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  22. "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  23. "American album certifications – Xscape – Traces of My Lipstick". Recording Industry Association of America. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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