Released June 21, 2005 Hurricane
(2005) Love & Life
(2008) Release date 21 June 2005 | Length 59:49 Artist Eric Benét Label Reprise Records | |
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Producer Walter Afanasieff, Eric Benét, Michael Carney, Hod David, Andy Duncan, David Foster, Humberto Gatica, George Nash, Jr., Demonté Posey, Drew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders Genres Soul music, Rhythm and blues, Contemporary R&B, Quiet storm Similar Eric Benét albums, Neo soul albums | ||
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. 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.
Contents
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. 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.
Composition
Hurricane incorporates musical elements of gospel and contributions from jazz musicians Roy Hargrove, Chris Botti, and Viktor Krauss. 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. 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".
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". Mojo gave the album three out of five stars and called it "a very palatable collection of self-penned confessional songs". 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". 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".
Personnel
Credits for Hurricane adapted from Allmusic.
Songs
1Be Myself Again3:21
2Pretty Baby4:56
3Hurricane4:40