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| venue =
| venue =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = {{flat list|
| genre = [[House music]], [[Contemporary R&B]], [[Urban contemporary|Urban]], [[Dance-pop]], [[Gospel music|Gospel]]
*[[House music|House]]
⚫
| length = 63:25
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
⚫
| label = [[RCA Records]]
*[[Soul music|soul]]}}
| producer = Alexandra Forbes (track: 8), [[The Basement Boys]] (track: 8), [[Brian Alexander Morgan]] (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13), Eric Beall (tracks: 8, 9), Eric Robinson (tracks: 11, 12), [[Steve Skinner]] (tracks: 8, 9), [[Todd Terry]] (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14)
⚫
| length = {{duration|m=63|s=25}}
⚫
| label = [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| producer = {{flat list|
*Alexandra Forbes
*[[The Basement Boys]]
*[[Brian Alexander Morgan]]
*Eric Beall
*Eric Robinson
*Steve Skinner
*[[Todd Terry]]}}
| prev_title =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| prev_year =
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| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Carry On (Martha Wash song)|Carry On]]
| single1 = [[Carry On (Martha Wash song)|Carry On]]
| single1date = 1993
| single1date = October 30, 1992
| single2 = [[Give It to You (Martha Wash song)|Give it to You]]
| single2 = [[Give It to You (Martha Wash song)|Give It to You]]
| single2date = 1993
| single2date = January 8, 1993
| single3 = Runaround
| single3 = Runaround
| single3date = 1993
| single3date = May 10, 1993
| single4 = Leave the Light On
| single4 = So Whatcha Gonna Do
| single4date = 1993
| single4date = December 3, 1993
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''Martha Wash''''' is the self-titled solo debut album by [[Martha Wash]], released in 1993 on [[RCA Records]]. The album peaked at #8 on the [[Top Heatseekers]] chart, #169 on [[The Billboard 200]] and #42 on [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart. It includes the two #1 [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart hits, "Carry On" and "Give It To You" and the Top 10 hit, "Runaround". "Give It To You" enjoyed limited success in the pop market, peaking at #90 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. The other single released from the album was "Leave a Light On".
'''''Martha Wash''''' is the debut solo [[studio album]] by American singer and songwriter [[Martha Wash]]. It was released on February 23, 1993, through [[RCA Records]]. Recording sessions for the album took place in 1992 at several studios, after leaving her then-group [[The Weather Girls]]. The tracks in the album are a mixture of uptempo songs and [[Sentimental ballad|ballads]], which are basically inspired by [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] and [[house music|house]] genres; it also features elements of [[soul music|soul]] and [[pop music]]. The album produced two US [[Dance Club Songs|''Billboard'' Dance chart]] number-one singles: "[[Carry On (Martha Wash song)|Carry On]]" and "[[Give It to You (Martha Wash song)|Give It to You]]", and a top-ten single "Runaround".


==Reception==
==Reception==
===Critical===
===Critical===
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}} <ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/album/martha-wash-r55785|title=Martha Wash - Martha Wash|first=Alex|last=Henderson|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/album/martha-wash-r55785|title=Martha Wash - Martha Wash|first=Alex|last=Henderson|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev2Score = C+<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{cite web|url=http://ew.com/article/1993/01/22/martha-wash/|title=Martha Wash|first=David|last=Browne|publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=January 22, 1993|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref>
| rev2Score = C+<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{cite web|url=http://ew.com/article/1993/01/22/martha-wash/|title=Martha Wash|first=David|last=Browne|publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=January 22, 1993|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|2.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news|first=Connie|last=Johnson|title=In Brief|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 11, 1993|page=|accessdate=January 21, 2023|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-04-11-ca-21482-story.html}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>Chambers, Gordon (April 15, 1993). "Recordings". ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Issue 654.</ref>
}}
}}
In an [[Allmusic]] review, Alex Henderson notes that 'Martha Wash's work with the Weather Girls and Black Box was so strong that one couldn't help but greet this debut solo album with high expectations'. Henderson praised the 'dance-floor gems on the album (including "Things We Do for Love," "Leave a Light On" and the soaring "Carry On")' but wrote that 'most of the tracks fall under the heading of decent but not outstanding.' Describing Wash as a 'big-voiced diva', he noted 'album has more going for it than most of the faceless, soundalike releases flooding the urban contemporary market in 1992, but Wash is capable of so much more.'<ref name=Allmusic/>
In an [[AllMusic]] review, Alex Henderson notes that 'Martha Wash's work with the Weather Girls and Black Box was so strong that one couldn't help but greet this debut solo album with high expectations'. Henderson praised the 'dance-floor gems on the album (including "Things We Do for Love," "Leave a Light On" and the soaring "Carry On")' but wrote that 'most of the tracks fall under the heading of decent but not outstanding.' Describing Wash as a 'big-voiced diva', he noted 'album has more going for it than most of the faceless, soundalike releases flooding the urban contemporary market in 1992, but Wash is capable of so much more.'<ref name=AllMusic/>


In ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', David Browne also praised Wash's voice, expressing 'Martha Wash’s voice is diva incarnate, a big, lusty tornado that’s like [[Patti LaBelle]] without the bombast' but also expressed disappointment, writing 'stretched out over Martha Wash, an album of generic beats and rhyme-by-numbers material, she’s merely [[Zelma Davis]] with chops'.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly"/>
In ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', David Browne also praised Wash's voice, expressing 'Martha Wash’s voice is diva incarnate, a big, lusty tornado that’s like [[Patti LaBelle]] without the bombast' but also expressed disappointment, writing 'stretched out over Martha Wash, an album of generic beats and rhyme-by-numbers material, she’s merely [[Zelma Davis]] with chops'.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly"/>
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==Singles==
==Singles==
The album spawned two consecutive number one hits on the US [[Hot Dance Club Songs]] chart; "Carry On" and "Give it to You", which each spent a total of 13 weeks on the chart.<ref name="Hot Dance Club Play">{{cite web|title=Martha Wash – Chart history (Hot Dance Club Songs)|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Martha Wash|chart=Dance Club Songs}}|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref> Though "Carry On" failed to appear on the US Hot 100 and its ninety-seven peak on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart remains her lowest, the single experienced warmer reception in Europe where it was a top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number seven. "Carry On" also reached the top 50 of the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="NLD Charts">{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=martha%20wash&cat=sh|title=NLD Charts > Martha Wash|publisher=[[MegaCharts]]|accessdate=May 16, 2017}}</ref><ref name="UK Charts">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28340/martha-wash/|title=UK Charts > Martha Wash|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=May 16, 2017}}</ref>
The album spawned two consecutive number one hits on the US [[Hot Dance Club Songs]] chart; "Carry On" and "Give it to You", which each spent a total of 13 weeks on the chart.<ref name="Hot Dance Club Play">{{cite magazine|title=Martha Wash – Chart history (Hot Dance Club Songs)|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Martha Wash|chart=Dance Club Songs}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref> Though "Carry On" failed to appear on the US Hot 100 and its ninety-seven peak on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart remains her lowest, the single experienced warmer reception in Europe where it was a top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number seven. "Carry On" also reached the top 50 of the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="NLD Charts">{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=martha%20wash&cat=sh|title=NLD Charts > Martha Wash|publisher=[[MegaCharts]]|accessdate=May 16, 2017}}</ref><ref name="UK Charts">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28340/martha-wash/|title=UK Charts > Martha Wash|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=May 16, 2017}}</ref>


"Give it to You" endured greater success in the US, reaching the top 50 of the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with a number forty-eight peak and spending a total of 12 weeks on the chart. Furthermore, the single rose to number ninety on the Hot 100 and was also Wash' first and only appearance on the [[Radio Songs]] chart, where it peaked at seventy-five.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/309720/Martha%20Wash/chart?f=350|title=Martha Wash – Chart history (Radio Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard.com]]/[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=8 August 2017}}</ref> "Give it to You" also bettered its predecessor's showing in the UK, where it peaked at thirty-seven.<ref name="R&B/Hip-Hop Songs">{{cite web|title=Martha Wash – Chart history (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Martha Wash|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Hot 100">{{cite web|title=Martha Wash – Chart history (Hot 100)|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Martha Wash|chart=Hot 100}}|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref>
"Give It to You" endured greater success in the US, reaching the top 50 of the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with a number forty-eight peak and spending a total of 12 weeks on the chart. Furthermore, the single rose to number ninety on the Hot 100 and was also Wash' first and only appearance on the [[Radio Songs (chart)|Radio Songs]] chart, where it peaked at seventy-five.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/309720/Martha%20Wash/chart?f=350|title=Martha Wash – Chart history (Radio Songs)|publisher=[[Billboard.com]]/[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=8 August 2017}}</ref> "Give it to You" also bettered its predecessor's showing in the UK, where it peaked at thirty-seven.<ref name="R&B/Hip-Hop Songs">{{cite magazine|title=Martha Wash – Chart history (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Martha Wash|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Hot 100">{{cite magazine|title=Martha Wash – Chart history (Hot 100)|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Martha Wash|chart=Hot 100}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref>


"Runaround" was the last charting single released from the album. It became Wash's third consecutive top ten hit on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it spent a total of 9 weeks and third top 50 appearance on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="Hot Dance Club Play"/><ref name="UK Charts"/>
"Runaround" was the last charting single released from the album. It became Wash's third consecutive top ten hit on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it spent a total of 9 weeks and third top 50 appearance on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="Hot Dance Club Play"/><ref name="UK Charts"/>
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| all_writing =
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| all_music =


| title1 = Someone Who Believes In You
| title1 = Someone Who Believes In You
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| lyrics5 =
| lyrics5 =
| music5 =
| music5 =
| extra5 = Todd Terry
| extra5 = Brian Alexander Morgan
| length5 = 6:15
| length5 = 6:15


Line 124: Line 138:
| title8 = Leave A Light On
| title8 = Leave A Light On
| note8 =
| note8 =
| writer8 = Alexandra Forbes, Eric Beall, [[Steve Skinner]]
| writer8 = Alexandra Forbes, Eric Beall, Steve Skinner
| lyrics8 =
| lyrics8 =
| music8 =
| music8 =
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| title13 = When It's My Heart
| title13 = When It's My Heart
| note13 =
| note13 =
| writer13 = David Grigsby, Harvey Huges
| writer13 = Clifton David Grigsby, Harvey Hughes
| lyrics13 =
| lyrics13 =
| music13 =
| music13 =
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| length14 = 3:26
| length14 = 3:26
}}
}}



==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Credits obtained from the album's liner notes.<ref name="AlbumNotes">{{cite AV media notes|title=Martha Wash|others=[[Martha Wash]]|year=1992|publisher=[[BMG Music]], [[RCA Records]]|type=CD booklet}}</ref><ref name="Discogs">{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Martha-Wash-Martha-Wash/release/148151|title=Martha Wash - Martha Wash|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref>
Credits obtained from the album's liner notes.<ref name="AlbumNotes">{{cite AV media notes|title=Martha Wash|others=[[Martha Wash]]|year=1992|publisher=[[BMG Music]], [[RCA Records]]|type=CD booklet}}</ref>


{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
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; Performance credits
; Performance credits
* Martha Wash - lead vocals
* [[Lead vocals]] – Martha Wash
* [[Background vocals]] – Arif St. Michael (tracks: 9), Biti Strauchn (tracks: 8, 9), Brian A. Morgan (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13), Carl Hall (tracks: 12), Carmen Gonzales (tracks: 6), Charlene Moore (tracks: 13), Damon Horton (tracks: 1, 10), Douglas Kibble (tracks: 12), Jeanie Tracy (tracks: 13), Katreese Barnes (tracks: 8), Linda Pino (tracks: 9), Marlon D. Saunders (tracks: 9), Martha Wash (tracks: 1, 5, 8, 10 to 13), Melanie Daniels* (tracks: 11, 12)
* Arif St. Michael (track: 9), Biti Strauchn (tracks: 8, 9), Brian Alexander Morgan (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13), Carl Hall (track: 12), Carmen Gonzales (track: 6), Charlene Moore (track: 13), Damon Horton (tracks: 1, 10), Douglas Kibble (track: 12), Jeanie Tracy (track: 13), Katreese Barnes (track: 8), Linda Pino (track: 9), Marlon Saunders (tracks: 9), Martha Wash (tracks: 1, 5, 8, 10 to 13), Melonie Daniels (tracks: 11, 12) - backing vocals


; Instruments
; Instruments
* [[Bass guitar|Bass]] – [[Anthony Jackson (musician)|Anthony Jackson]]
* [[Anthony Jackson (musician)|Anthony Jackson]] - bass guitar
* [[Drums]] – [[Omar Hakim]]
* [[Omar Hakim]] - drums
* [[Acoustic Guitar]] – Bernard Grubman (tracks: 5)
* Bernard Grubman (track: 5) - acoustic guitar
* [[Guitar]] – Georg Wadenius (tracks: 1, 10), Greg Skaff (tracks: 7, 11, 14), Ira Siegel (tracks: 9)
* [[Georg Wadenius]] (tracks: 1, 10), Greg Skaff (tracks: 7, 11, 14), Ira Siegel (tracks: 9) - guitar
* [[Keyboards]] – Barry J. Eastmond (tracks: 1, 10), Brian A. Morgan* (tracks: 3, 5, 6, 13), Eric Robinson (tracks: 4, 7, 12, 14), Steve Skinner (tracks: 8, 9), Terry Burrus (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14), Todd Terry (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14)
* Barry Eastmond (tracks: 1, 10), Brian Alexander Morgan (tracks: 3, 5, 6, 13), Eric Robinson (tracks: 4, 7, 12, 14), Steve Skinner (tracks: 8, 9), Terry Burrus (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14), [[Todd Terry]] (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14) - keyboards
* [[Bashiri Johnson]] - percussion
* [[Percussion]] – Bashiri Johnson
* [[Saxophone]] – Earl Owensby, Jr. (tracks: 5), Roger Byam (tracks: 1, 10)
* Earl Owensby, Jr. (track: 5), Roger Byam (tracks: 1, 10) - saxophone
* [[Synthesizers]] – Brian Alexander Morgan, Barry J. Eastmond, Eric Rehl
* Brian Alexander Morgan, Barry Eastmond, Eric Rehl - synthesizer
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
; Technical and production
; Technical and production
* [[Arrangement]] – Barry J. Eastmond <small>(strings)</small>
* [[Arrangement]] – Barry Eastmond <small>(strings)</small>
* Vocal Arrangement – Brian A. Morgan, Jeanie Tracy, Martha Wash
* Vocal Arrangement – Brian Alexander Morgan, Jeanie Tracy, Martha Wash
* [[Conductor (music)|Conducting]] – Barry J. Eastmond (tracks: 1, 10)
* [[Conductor (music)|Conducting]] – Barry Eastmond (tracks: 1, 10)
* [[Audio engineering|Engineering]] – Alec Head (tracks: 1, 10), Arty Skye (tracks: 11, 12), Axel Niehaus (track: 9), Bill Klatt (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14), Brian Alexander Morgan (track: 5), Jim "Bonzai" Caruso (track: 8), Larry Funk (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13), Pat Green (track: 3), Pavel De Jesus (tracks: 11, 12), Rusty Cutchin (tracks: 11, 12), Steve Skinner (track: 9)
* [[Songwriters]] – Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Todd Terry, Brian Alexander Morgan, Eric Robinson, Victor Orsborn, Alexandra Forbes, Eric Beall, Steve Skinner, Andy Wright, Frank Collins, David Grigsby, Harvey Huges
* [[Audio engineering|Engineering]] – Alec Head (tracks: 1, 10), Arty Skye (tracks: 11, 12), Axel Niehaus (tracks: 9), Bill Klatt (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14), Brian A. Morgan (tracks: 5), "Bonzai" Jim Caruso (tracks: 8), Larry Funk (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13), Pat Green (tracks: 3), Pavel De Jesus (tracks: 11, 12), Rusty Cutchins* (tracks: 11, 12), Steve Skinner (tracks: 9)
* Engineering assistants – Axel Niehaus (track: 8), Chris Barnett (tracks: 11, 12), David Carpenter (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14), Jim Farrell (tracks: 11, 12), Nat Foster (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13), Neill King (track: 13)
* Engineering assistants – Axel Niehaus (tracks: 8), Chris Barnett (tracks: 11, 12), David Carpenter (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14), Jim Farrell (tracks: 11, 12), Nat Foster (tracks: 3, 5, 6), Neil King* (tracks: 13)
* [[Audio mastering|Mastering]] – Tom Coyne, Hit Factory
* [[Audio mastering|Mastering]] – Tom Coyne, Hit Factory
* [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|Mixing]] – Bill Klatt (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14), Brian A. Morgan* (tracks: 3, 4, 13), Goh Hotoda (tracks: 3, 6), "Bonzai" Jim Caruso* (tracks: 8, 9, 11, 12), Larry Funk (tracks: 3, 13), Ray Bardani (tracks: 1, 10), Tony Maserati (tracks: 5)
* [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|Mixing]] – Bill Klatt (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14), Brian Alexander Morgan (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 13), Jim "Bonzai" Caruso (tracks: 8, 9, 11, 12), Larry Funk (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 13), Ray Bardani (tracks: 1, 10), Tony Maserati (tracks: 5)
* Mixing assistants – Axel Niehaus (tracks: 8, 9), Dante Gioia (tracks: 3), David Carpenter (tracks: 4, 14), Mark Hensley (tracks: 13), Rich July (tracks: 3, 5, 6)
* Mixing assistants – Axel Niehaus (tracks: 8, 9), Dante Gioia (track: 3), David Carpenter (tracks: 4, 14), Mark Hensley (tracks: 13), Rich July (tracks: 3, 5, 6)
* [[Record producer|Production]] – Alexandra Forbes (tracks: 8), The Basement Boys (tracks: 8), Brian Alexander Morgan (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13), Eric Beall (tracks: 8, 9), Robinson* (tracks: 11, 12), Steve Skinner (tracks: 8, 9), Todd Terry (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14)
* [[Record producer|Production]] – Alexandra Forbes (track: 8), The Basement Boys (track: 8), Brian Alexander Morgan (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13), Eric Beall (tracks: 8, 9), Eric Robinson (tracks: 11, 12), Steve Skinner (tracks: 8, 9), Todd Terry (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 14)
* [[Music programming|Programming]] – Brian A. Morgan* (tracks: 3), Eric Rehl (tracks: 1, 10), Arty Skye (tracks: 11, 12), Bradley Carroll (tracks: 12), Pavel De Jesus (tracks: 11, 12), Pete Smith (tracks: 12), Rusty Cutchins* (tracks: 11, 12)
* [[Music programming|Programming]] – Brian Alexander Morgan (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 13), Eric Rehl (track: 1, 10), Arty Skye (tracks: 11, 12), Bradley Carroll (track: 12), Pavel De Jesus (tracks: 11, 12), Pete Smith (track: 12), Rusty Cutchin (tracks: 11, 12)
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


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!scope="col"| Peak <br>position
!scope="col"| Peak <br>position
|-
|-
!scope="row" {{albumchart|Billboard200|169|artist=Martha Wash|refname=BB200|accessdate=8 August, 2017}}
!scope="row" {{album chart|Billboard200|169|artist=Martha Wash|refname=BB200|accessdate=8 August 2017}}
|-
|-
!scope="row" {{albumchart|BillboardRandBHipHop|42|artist=Martha Wash|refname=BBR&B|accessdate=8 August, 2017}}
!scope="row" {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|42|artist=Martha Wash|refname=BBR&B|accessdate=8 August 2017}}
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Martha Wash}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1993 debut albums]]
[[Category:1993 debut albums]]

Latest revision as of 21:07, 25 June 2024

Martha Wash
Studio album by
Martha Wash
ReleasedFebruary 23, 1993
Recorded1992
Genre
Length63:25
LabelRCA
Producer
Martha Wash chronology
Martha Wash
(1993) 		Something Good
(2013)
Singles from Martha Wash
  1. "Carry On"
    Released: October 30, 1992
  2. "Give It to You"
    Released: January 8, 1993
  3. "Runaround"
    Released: May 10, 1993
  4. "So Whatcha Gonna Do"
    Released: December 3, 1993

Martha Wash is the debut solo studio album by American singer and songwriter Martha Wash. It was released on February 23, 1993, through RCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in 1992 at several studios, after leaving her then-group The Weather Girls. The tracks in the album are a mixture of uptempo songs and ballads, which are basically inspired by R&B and house genres; it also features elements of soul and pop music. The album produced two US Billboard Dance chart number-one singles: "Carry On" and "Give It to You", and a top-ten single "Runaround".

Reception

[edit]

Critical

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[2]
Los Angeles Times[3]
Rolling Stone[4]

In an AllMusic review, Alex Henderson notes that 'Martha Wash's work with the Weather Girls and Black Box was so strong that one couldn't help but greet this debut solo album with high expectations'. Henderson praised the 'dance-floor gems on the album (including "Things We Do for Love," "Leave a Light On" and the soaring "Carry On")' but wrote that 'most of the tracks fall under the heading of decent but not outstanding.' Describing Wash as a 'big-voiced diva', he noted 'album has more going for it than most of the faceless, soundalike releases flooding the urban contemporary market in 1992, but Wash is capable of so much more.'[1]

In Entertainment Weekly, David Browne also praised Wash's voice, expressing 'Martha Wash’s voice is diva incarnate, a big, lusty tornado that’s like Patti LaBelle without the bombast' but also expressed disappointment, writing 'stretched out over Martha Wash, an album of generic beats and rhyme-by-numbers material, she’s merely Zelma Davis with chops'.[2]

Commercial

[edit]

Martha Wash peaked at number one-hundred-and-sixty-nine on the US Billboard 200, where it spent a total of 2 weeks. More successful on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, it spent a total of 10 weeks and peaked at number forty-two.[5][6]

Singles

[edit]

The album spawned two consecutive number one hits on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart; "Carry On" and "Give it to You", which each spent a total of 13 weeks on the chart.[7] Though "Carry On" failed to appear on the US Hot 100 and its ninety-seven peak on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart remains her lowest, the single experienced warmer reception in Europe where it was a top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number seven. "Carry On" also reached the top 50 of the UK Singles Chart.[8][9]

"Give It to You" endured greater success in the US, reaching the top 50 of the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with a number forty-eight peak and spending a total of 12 weeks on the chart. Furthermore, the single rose to number ninety on the Hot 100 and was also Wash' first and only appearance on the Radio Songs chart, where it peaked at seventy-five.[10] "Give it to You" also bettered its predecessor's showing in the UK, where it peaked at thirty-seven.[11][12]

"Runaround" was the last charting single released from the album. It became Wash's third consecutive top ten hit on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it spent a total of 9 weeks and third top 50 appearance on the UK Singles Chart.[7][9]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Someone Who Believes In You" (Prelude)Gerry Goffin, Carole KingBrian Alexander Morgan1:44
2."So Whatcha Gonna Do"Todd TerryTodd Terry4:55
3."Give It To You"Brian Alexander MorganBrian Alexander Morgan3:49
4."Runaround"Eric Robinson, Todd TerryTodd Terry4:41
5."Now That You're Gone"Brian Alexander MorganBrian Alexander Morgan6:15
6."Things We Do For Love"Brian Alexander MorganBrian Alexander Morgan4:25
7."Just Us (Dancin')"Eric Robinson, Victor OrsbornTodd Terry2:33
8."Leave A Light On"Alexandra Forbes, Eric Beall, Steve SkinnerAlexandra Forbes, Eric Beall, Steve Skinner and "The Basement Boys"4:22
9."Carry On"Eric BeallEric Beall, Steve Skinner4:17
10."Someone Who Believes In You"Gerry Goffin, Carole KingBrian Alexander Morgan3:54
11."Hold On (Part I)"Andy Wright, Eric RobinsonEric Robinson3:49
12."Hold On (Part II)"Eric Robinson, Frank CollinsEric Robinson4:59
13."When It's My Heart"Clifton David Grigsby, Harvey HughesBrian Alexander Morgan4:06
14."Just Us (Singin')"Eric Robinson, Victor OrsbornTodd Terry3:26
Total length:63:25

Personnel

[edit]

Credits obtained from the album's liner notes.[13]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1992) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[5] 169
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] 42

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Henderson, Alex. "Martha Wash - Martha Wash". AllMusic. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Browne, David (January 22, 1993). "Martha Wash". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  3. ^ Johnson, Connie (April 11, 1993). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  4. ^ Chambers, Gordon (April 15, 1993). "Recordings". Rolling Stone. Issue 654.
  5. ^ a b "Martha Wash Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Martha Wash Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Martha Wash – Chart history (Hot Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  8. ^ "NLD Charts > Martha Wash". MegaCharts. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "UK Charts > Martha Wash". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  10. ^ "Martha Wash – Chart history (Radio Songs)". Billboard.com/Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  11. ^ "Martha Wash – Chart history (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  12. ^ "Martha Wash – Chart history (Hot 100)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  13. ^ Martha Wash (CD booklet). Martha Wash. BMG Music, RCA Records. 1992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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