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Toni Braxton - Secrets Audio CD

A fair review of the Toni Braxton "Secrets" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Toni Braxton reviews here, or go back to the Toni Braxton tabs.

Toni Braxton Band: Toni Braxton
Title: Secrets
Rating:
Release Date: 1996-06-18
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 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 Could 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/Toni's Secrets

Please Unbreak Her Heart!!
These are two people who both have that torchy quality and for both it could end up with mixed results. Toni Braxton,by all measures has a terrific instrument because that's what she has for a voice! Okay I'll admit;sometimes she does venture a bit heavy into that torchy,melodramatic Whitney Houston/Celine Dion territory but somehow,here Babyface got it right production wise. I always rather liked Toni,and when I couldn't I tried but Babyface was not someone I was too into musically at the time. Same thing goes for today. It's also true that the LA Reid/Babyface sound that could get tired fast is all over this album. There aren't many uptempo cuts here because the focus is always strongly on the ballads. "Unbreak My Heart" is a good example of the sound of most of the songs here. Which also brings to mind another point about this album. Not that it isn't a big part of romantic soul anyway so much of this album finds the vocally gifted Braxton lamenting on how one man did her wrong after another and than her recovering from the experience. It seems like and endless cycle but the funny thing is her tone is never whinney;it's actually quite bitter and resined in most places. On the upside much of the material such as "I Don't Want To" actually have a good,potent blend of acoustic soul and this orchestral R&B thing. And it doesn't matter what other reviewers say:as R Kelly's only contribution it's very vital and significant to this albums theme. Otherwise this is maudlin and a bit to big sounding in many places but it's a refreshing change of pace from some of the blandness that even this production team who,I'll admit seldom fare poorly on the songwriting front,were often bogged down with. There are some significant changes of pace though. The Tony Rich penned opener "Come On Over Here" presents a nice 90's style variation on the soul/funk front and on an uptempo type of song. "You're Makin' Me High" is rhythmic and acoustic-just a tad of that Babyface blandness is present but for the most part even he manages to work around that here. "Talking In His Sleep" is a really great jazzy funk number. No this album is not all it could've been or,more subjectively everything I'd have liked it to be-I don't think it's time frame really allowed for that. At the same time I would say for those looking to have some Toni Braxton in their collection this would be pretty close to a wise bet for making that happen.


Secrets - 4.5 stars
This is a strong collection of songs where Toni's vocal phrasings and the song melodies are beautiful from one track to the next. Toni's sophomore set continued her progression from an excellent debut. On the Babyface productions, it's like he & Toni are both halves of one brain - and although more Adult Contemporary than straight R&B, the songs are still memorable, melodic and beautiful.

I saw Toni on a commercial recently which prompted my little Toni-athon and rediscovered singles that I hadn't listened to in a while: THERE'S NO ME WITHOUT YOU, WHY SHOULD I CARE, IN THE LATE OF NIGHT and FIND ME A MAN in addition to the "hits" that I love: LET IT FLOW, I LOVE ME SOME HIM, UNBREAK MY HEART & YOU'RE MAKING ME HIGH.

Overall this is a great second offering from one of my favorite vocalists who we need to hear more new music from! Please come back soon, Toni!.


Secrets is the Perfect Follow-Up
The big ballad "Un-break My Heart" is the obvious smash hit, but other classics include the sultry "You're Makin' Me High" and the relaxing "Let it Flow. Toni Braxton waited 3 years to release her sophomore effort, Secrets, which follows the same formula as its predecessor while managing to sound fresh and new. " Smooth album cuts like "Why Should I Care" and "Come on Over Here" ensure that the album moves with a soulful, slow-burn feel from beginning to end. Secrets is the rare sophomore album that outdoes the artist's debut. 4 Stars.


smokin' hot
I'm not into Toni's other CD's that much, but this one is hot. This is my favorite romance CD. .


SECRETS
It showcases the sultriness of her voice in the atmosphere created by her music. This CD is a must have for Toni Braxton fans. This is one that is good for the ages.


You can see a complete list of all Toni Braxton discography, or go back to the Toni Braxton tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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