Recorded 2008–2009 Release date 2 June 2009 | Artist Vanessa L. Williams Label Concord Records | |
 | ||
Released June 2, 2009 (2009-06-02) Producer Keith Thomas, Babyface, Rob Mathes, Rex Rideout, Guy Sigsworth Genres Contemporary R&B, Soul music, Pop music, Jazz Nominations NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album Similar Vanessa L Williams albums, Pop music albums | ||
Breathless the real thing by vanessa williams
The Real Thing is the eighth studio album by American recording artist Vanessa Williams, released on June 2, 2009 on Concord Records. It features productions by Keith Thomas, Kenneth Edmonds, Rob Mathes, Rex Rideout, and Guy Sigsworth, and songs written by Stevie Wonder and Babyface. The Real Thing achieved moderate success, peaking at #91 on the Billboard 200. It also reached #1 on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, #2 on the Top Jazz Albums chart and #36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Contents
the real thing vanessa williams
Background and composition
The Real Thing was originally intended to be a "Brazilian-type" record. However, when Vanessa Williams contacted Babyface for the album production, it was revealed the album would have a more R&B sound. She considered the album a combination of different influences, such as classical, jazz and Latin music. The Real Thing was also produced by Keith Thomas, Rob Mathes and Rex Rideout, and features songs written by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Bebel Gilberto, Phil Galdston, and Babyface. When asked about the album style, Williams said:
"Yes, for me this is kind of a reflective record. [...] You know, I'm in my mid-forties; I've been divorced twice; I've raised four children; I'm a career woman... So it is a kind of look at love from all those different female perspectives. [...] 'The Real Thing' represents the promise of being back with a lover; 'October Sky' is a break-up song… Plus, with me being an actor who's also a singer, my favourite songs to sing are always those that tell a story. Because, when I go into the studio, I do kind of approach everything as an actor. [...] So, in that way, I do think all the songs on 'The Real Thing' either have some deep storyline, or can give an effect of a character at a particular time in a particular place."
Singles
Songs
1Breathless4:51
2Hello Like Before4:28
3Loving You3:33