Something About Faith
| Company type | Independent record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founder | Faith Evans |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums |
| Owner | Faith Evans |
| Parent | E1 Music (distribution) |
Something About Faith represents the sixth studio effort by American vocalist Faith Evans, released on October 5, 2010, via her own independent label Prolific Music Group with distribution handled by E1 Music. This album marked Evans' inaugural independent project following her departure from Bad Boy in 2003 and a brief tenure at Capitol Records in 2005. She took an active role in both writing and producing the majority of the tracks, collaborating with producers such as Carvin & Ivan, Chucky Thompson, Mike City, and Salaam Remi. Additionally, featured artists included Keyshia Cole, Redman, Snoop Dogg, and Raekwon.
Critical reception was mixed; reviewers found the album enjoyable yet less compelling compared to her earlier release The First Lady (2005), often describing it as cautious and lacking distinction. On the commercial front, Something About Faith entered the US Billboard 200 chart at number fifteen and secured the top spot on the Independent Albums ranking. By August 2012, US sales reached 77,000 units. The lead single, "Gone Already", launched in August 2010, climbed to number 26 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and garnered a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 2011 Grammy Awards.
Background
In 2001, Evans released her third studio album, Faithfully, under the Bad Boy Records banner. Although it achieved commercial success domestically, she felt the album suffered from limited promotional support due to label restructuring involving a transition from Arista Records to Universal Music. Pursuing fresh prospects, Evans exited Bad Boy and signed with Capitol Records, where she released the chart-topping album The First Lady alongside the holiday collection A Faithful Christmas in 2005. Subsequent organizational shifts at Capitol combined with her fourth pregnancy led to a five-year break during which she authored her memoir Keep the Faith in 2008. After negotiating her release from Capitol, Evans established her own imprint, Prolific Music Group, aligning with E1 Music to develop her forthcoming project.
Recording
Although Evans had co-written most of her previous songs and occasionally co-produced, for Something About Faith, she aspired to take full creative control, stating her intention to be "in the driver’s seat 100%". Together with her husband Todd Russaw, she actively engaged industry contacts to secure collaborations with songwriters and producers. Veteran contributors like Chucky Thompson, Gil Smith II, production duo Carvin & Ivan, and co-producer Johnnie "Smurf" Smith were joined by new partners including Salaam Remi, Mike City, and Malik Pendleton. Musically, Evans sought to maintain a recognizable sound, describing the album as "the new adventures of the old Faith," highlighting her evolved vocal maturity while preserving the style faithful listeners expect.
This release became her most collaboration-rich project thus far; Evans invited singer Keyshia Cole and rapper Raekwon after exchanging mutual collaboration offers. She also connected with rapper Snoop Dogg following their encounter at "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" in 2010. Managing details such as sample clearances personally helped expedite production and ensured alignment with her artistic vision. Concerning the album title Something About Faith, which continues her pattern of incorporating her first name into titles, Evans explained it emerged naturally from fan feedback: "Everyone was saying, 'there’s something about you,' hence Something About Faith. It just came out of thin air [...] For this album I’m giving them the new adventures of the same old Faith."
Promotion
Prior to the release of Something About Faith, the buzz track "Way You Move," featuring Snoop Dogg, was launched on June 29, 2010. Although it peaked at number 65 on the Japan Hot 100, it failed to enter the US charts. The album's lead single, "Gone Already," arrived on August 10, 2010, garnering favorable reviews and being characterized as a breakup ballad worthy of comparison to Toni Braxton. To promote the single, Evans performed live on The Wendy Williams Show (October 8, 2010) and The Mo'Nique Show (November 12, 2010). "Gone Already" remained on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for seventeen weeks, reaching a peak position of number 26. The single was accompanied by an official music video released on both Evans' and E1 Music's YouTube platforms. Additional promotion included a high-definition video for "Right Here," which premiered on Evans' official YouTube channel on February 14, 2011.
Critical reception
Reviews for Something About Faith ranged from mixed to positive. Melody Charles of SoulTracks commended the album as some of Evans's most assured and engaging work to date, representing a welcomed comeback for her audience.[1] Ed Masley from The Arizona Republic praised her "honeyed vocals" on "The Way You Move" and suggested that several tracks could be future hits, although he felt the album was somewhat front-heavy.[2] Paula Yeoman of The New Zealand Herald described it as a pleasant, relaxed listening experience that showcases Evans as a polished and soulful singer.[3]
On the other hand, Mark Edward Nero from About.com criticized the album as "ordinary," pointing out that excessive production diminished Evans' vocal presence despite acknowledging her talent as an outstanding vocalist.[4] Melanie Sims of The Canadian Press referred to the collection as a series of soulful but predictable ballads, though she singled out "Gone Already" and "Right Here" for praise and identified "Troubled World" as a track that highlights Evans' vocal richness.[5] Andy Kellman of AllMusic found the album "pleasant" yet only "adequate," lacking the enduring appeal of her earlier releases.[6] Similarly, Natalie Shaw from BBC Music criticized the album’s lengthy 16-track roster for containing filler songs and lacking dynamism despite its polished production.[7]
Commercial performance
Something About Faith entered the US Billboard 200 at number fifteen, secured the fourth spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and claimed the top position on the Billboard Independent Albums chart, selling 23,586 copies in its debut week. By August 2012, Nielsen SoundScan reported total US sales of 77,000 copies. The album did not achieve chart placement outside the United States.
Track listing
Notes
- Template:Note indicates an additional producer
- Template:Note indicates a co-producer
Sample credits
- "Everyday Struggle" incorporates elements from "Either Way" by Harvey Mason Jr.
- "The Love in Me" contains samples from "Easter Clothes" by Salaam Remi
Personnel
- Bert Padell, Trevor Baptiste – Management
- Alejandro Barajas – Assistant Mixer
- Ivan "Orthodox" Barias – Producer, Engineer, Instrumentation
- Joe Basurto – Design Consultant
- Darrell Robinson, Carvin "Ransum" Haggins, Anthony Bell – Producers
- Charlie Bereal – Guitar and Guitar Overdubs
- Kristene Bernard – Makeup Artist
- Derek Blanks – Photographer
- Ben Briggs III – Drums, Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Programming, Additional Production, Associate Executive Producer
- Patrick "Devinaire" Briggs – Keyboards, Producer
- Tyler Nicolo, Daniel Laporte, Joe the Butcher, Carvin Haggins, Gleyder "Gee" Disla, Shon Brooks – Engineers
- "You Can Ask" Giz, Bob Horn, Eric "Ebo" Butler – Mixing Engineers
- Corey Latif, Ebony Carr-Baskin – Backing Vocalists
- Mike City – Producer and Instrumentation
- Jeffry Rameau, Patrick Hewlett, Brandon Henderson, George Gumbs, Gerald Deus, Fabian Cooke, A.J. Clarke – Assistant Engineers
- Don Lee Samuels, D.J. Rogers Jr., Kirk Moore, Richard Glass, Toni Coleman, Danny Coakley, Alex Clarke – Vocal Performers
- Brian Culberston – Fender Rhodes, Piano, Synthesizer Player
- Laurel Dann – A&R Representative
- Marleny Dominguez – Label Direction
- Thomas Drayton – Bass Guitarist
- Faith Evans – Executive Producer, A&R, Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Background Vocals
- Kenny Olsen, Chuck Gibson – Guitarists
- Paul Grosso – Creative Director and Designer
- Bernie Grundman – Mastering Engineer
- Dae Dae Haddon – Drummer
- IBE – Producer, Engineer, Instrumentation
- Eric Ingram – Bass Guitarist and Dub Engineer
- Derek Lafayette – Marketing Specialist
- Bianca Lewis – Grooming Professional
- Lex Lipsitz – Percussionist
- Arnold Mischkulnig – Mastering and Mixing Engineer
- Bishop Moore – Consultant
- Malik Pendleton – Producer, Instrumentation, Mixing Engineer
- Darrell Miller, Fox Rothschild, Julian Petty – Legal Advisors
- Shanell Red – Vocal Arranger
- Salaam Remi – Producer, Arranger; contributed Bass, Drums, Guitar
- Kye Russaw – Producer, Engineer, Instrumentation; Assistant Engineer
- Todd Russaw – Executive Producer; A&R; Management
- Gil Smith II – Additional Production
- Johnnie "Smurf" Smith – Additional Production and Keyboardist
- Dee "Pitboss" Sonaram – A&R and Promoter
- Staybent Krunk A-Delic – Programmer
- Kyle Stewart – Producer, Engineer, Instrumentation
- Shadow Stokes – Promoter
- Chucky Thompson – Producer; Instrumentation including Moog Synthesizer
- Brad Todd – Executive Producer; Additional Production; Engineer; Mixing; Producer
- Mickel Valere – Acoustic Guitarist
- Keonte Vincent – Engineer and Background Vocalist
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Highest Position |
|---|---|
| scope="row" Template:Album chart | |
| scope="row" Template:Album chart | |
| scope="row" Template:Album chart |
Release history
| Region | Release Date | Available Formats | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | October 5, 2010 |
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| United Kingdom | December 6, 2010 |
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External links
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