"People" magazine has called Toni Braxton's moving voice "unique enough to make her the model to match in years to come." The "New York Times" declares Braxton's "rich, throaty, alto [and] torchy lovelorn style a throwback to an earlier era."
Indeed, since Braxton made a path for herself in 1992 with "Give U My Heart"(a duet with producer/recording star Babyface) and "Love Shoulda Brought You Home," music buyers and industry insiders eagerly awaited this dynamic singer's all-important first album.
Not one to disappoint, Braxton's self-titled debut release was received with critical acclaim, selling 9.5 million copies since 1993, and has earned the artist three Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards and Two Soul Train Awards. Her immediate reaction to the success of the release was a combination of amazement and matter of factness. "I still don't feel that I have made it, but deep down inside I knew it would happen," Braxton said.
"The First Lady of LaFace" started out on her highway to success in Severn, Maryland where her natural ability in music led her to singing in church with her four sisters. Braxton began entering and winning local talent contests, and says "sneaking to watch 'Soul Train' whenever my parents weren't around" inspired Toni to pursue her dreams.
Toni began studying at Bowie State University to become a teacher, but those plans were sidetracked when she became the first female signed to LaFace Records in 1991. The huge success of her debut release gave her the opportunity to appear on "The Today Show," "The Tonight Show," "The Late Show With David Letterman," "Entertainment Tonight," and "Video Soul."
At the beginning of 1995 after a hectic schedule of appearances and performances, Braxton began work on her sophomore album. Braxton says, "I was definitely aware of the success of the first record as I started recording the new album. In a sense, I felt that I was competing with myself and the question I kept facing was how I was going to outdo myself. Eventually I realized that I just had to go for it and do my best."
Her best turned out to be "Secrets," an album that allows the listener the opportunity to witness Toni in an array of musical moods and settings. Babyface's "There's No Me Without You," one of her personal favorites, has a simple, plaintive acoustic feel. "Why Should I Care" has an old school '70's flavor, while R. Kelly's "I Don't Want To" offers a broody lyrical response to Toni's 1994 hit, "Just Another Love Song."
Confirmation that her first album was just the beginning of what promises to be a long-term career filled with accomplishment, "Secrets" is a glowing testament to Toni Braxton's status as one of the decade's most vibrant, exciting, soul deep, straight from the heart young artists.
"Secrets" (1996) Track Listing: 1. Come On Over Here 2. You're Makin' Me High 3. There's No Me Without You 4. Un-Break My Heart 5. Talking In His Sleep 6. How Can An Angel Break My Heart 7. Find Me A Man 8. Let It Flow 9. Why Should I Care 10. I Don't Want To 11. I Love Me Some Him 12. In The Late Of Night 13. Toni's Secrets "Toni Braxton" (1993) Track Listing: 1. Another Sad Love Song 2. Breathe Again 3. Seven Whole Days 4. Love Affair 5. Candlelight 6. Spending My Time With You 7. Love Shoulda Brought You Home 8. I Belong To You 9. How Many Ways 10. You Mean The World To Me 11. Best Friend 12. Breathe Again (reprise) Toni also contributed songs to the soundtracks for "Boomerang" and "Waiting to Exhale." |
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