Album Notes As lead singer of No Doubt, Gwen Stefani is one of the most admired women in Rock. She can switch from performing on stadium tours across America with Blink 182 to playing Leonardo Di Caprio's girlfriend in the Hollywood epic, "The Aviator", to singing on a Grammy-winning hip-hop anthem with Eve. This edition of her debut solo album includes "Real Thing" (Slow Jam Mix)" and "What Were You Waiting For (Elevator Mix)". Historically, it's a tricky endeavor for the singer from an enormously successful band to embark on a solo career. Gwen Stefani, the glamorous vocalist for No Doubt, sidesteps the issue on her first solo album, LOVE, ANGEL, MUSIC, BABY, by largely eschewing the No Doubt sound. In its place, there's a strong emphasis on the R&B and hip-hop flavors that were hinted at in preceding No Doubt records. Towards that end, Stefani gamely enlists the assistance of Dr. Dre, the Neptunes, Andre 3000 of Outkast, and others, on an album that references everything from Japanese pop culture ("Harajuku Girls") to FIDDLER ON THE ROOF ("Rich Girl," featuring rapper Eve). Sensual R&B rhythms, frenetic hip-hop beats, and yes, the occasional pop/rock echo of No Doubt, all share space on LOVE, ANGEL, MUSIC, BABY, filtered through a fun-loving, party-starting sensibility. Personnel: Johnny Vulture (guitar, keyboards, programming); Linda Perry, Mike Elizondo, Bobby Ross Avila (guitar, keyboards); Tony Reyes (guitar, bass guitar); Rusty Anderson, Wendy Melvoin (guitar); Kevin Kendricks (piano, keyboards); Tony Kanal (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Mark Batson (keyboards, keyboard bass); Dallas Austin (keyboards, drums); Sheldon Conrich, Lisa Coleman, Andr 3000, James "Big Jim" Wright , Lee Groves (keyboards); Rick Sheppard (midi); Iz (drums, percussion); Sam Littlemore, Ewan Pearson, Aidan Love, Jason Lader (programming); Zoey Martin, MiMi "Audio" Parker, Naomi Martin, Bernard Sumner (background vocals).Audio Mixers: Mark "Spike" Stent; Andr 3000; Phil Tan; Johnny Vulture; Lee Groves.Recording information: Darp Studios, Atlanta, GA; Encore Studios, Burbank, CA; Flyte Tyme West At The Village Recorder, West Los Angel; Henson Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Home Recordings, London, England; Kingsbury Studios, Los Feliz, CA; Larrabee Sound Studio East, Los Angeles, CA; Ocean Way Record One, Sherman Oaks, CA; O'Henry Studios, Burbank, CA; Right Track Recording, New York, NY; Soundcastle Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Stankonia Recording, Atlanta, GA.Photographers: Nicole Frantz; Nick Knight.Historically, it's a tricky endeavor for the singer from an enormously successful band to embark on a solo career. Gwen Stefani, the glamorous vocalist for No Doubt, sidesteps the issue on her first solo album, LOVE, ANGEL, MUSIC, BABY, by largely eschewing the No Doubt sound. In its place, there's a strong emphasis on the R&B and hip-hop flavors that were hinted at in preceding No Doubt records. Towards that end, Stefani gamely enlists the assistance of Dr. Dre, the Neptunes, Andre 3000 of Outkast, and others, on an album that references everything from Japanese pop culture ("Harajuku Girls") to FIDDLER ON THE ROOF ("Rich Girl," featuring rapper Eve). Sensual R&B rhythms, frenetic hip-hop beats, and yes, the occasional pop/rock echo of No Doubt, all share space on LOVE, ANGEL, MUSIC, BABY, filtered through a fun-loving, party-starting sensibility. Editorial Reviews Uncut Rolling Stone Rolling Stone |
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