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{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Faith
| name = Faith
| type = [[Album]]
| type = studio
| artist = [[Faith Evans]]
| artist = [[Faith Evans]]
| cover = Faith_evans-faith.jpg
| cover = Faith evans-faith.jpg
⚫
| border = yes
| alt =
| alt =
| released = August 29, 1995
| released = August 29, 1995
| recorded = November 1994–June 1995
| recorded = November 1994 – June 1995
| studio = [[The Hit Factory]] (New York City)
⚫
| venue =
⚫
| genre = [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]<ref name="ew"/>
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist|
⚫
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[hip hop soul]]}}
| length = 62:10
| length = 62:10
| label = {{hlist|[[Bad Boy Records|Bad Boy]]|[[Arista Records|Arista]]}}
| label =
*[[Bad Boy Records|Bad Boy]]
*[[Arista Records|Arista]]
| producer = {{flatlist|
| producer =
*[[Sean Combs]] <small>([[Executive producer|also exec.]])</small>
*[[Sean Combs]]
*[[Prince Charles Alexander]]
*[[Prince Charles Alexander]]
*Mark Ledford
*Mark Ledford
Line 21: Line 21:
*[[Trackmasters|Jean-Claude Olivier]]
*[[Trackmasters|Jean-Claude Olivier]]
*Timothy Riley
*Timothy Riley
*[[Chucky Thompson]]}}
*[[Chucky Thompson]]
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = [[Keep the Faith (Faith Evans album)|Keep the Faith]]
| next_title = [[Keep the Faith (Faith Evans album)|Keep the Faith]]
| next_year = 1998
| next_year = 1998
Line 29: Line 27:
| name = Faith
| name = Faith
| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = [[You Used to Love Me (Faith Evans song)|You Used to Love Me]]
| single1 = [[You Used to Love Me]]
| single1date = July 13, 1995
| single1date = July 13, 1995
| single2 = [[Soon as I Get Home]]
| single2 = [[Soon as I Get Home]]
Line 36: Line 34:
| single3date = October 26, 1995
| single3date = October 26, 1995
| single4 = [[Come Over (Faith Evans song)|Come Over]]
| single4 = [[Come Over (Faith Evans song)|Come Over]]
| single4date = January 1996
| single4date = January 24, 1996
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''Faith''''' is the debut album by [[United States|American]] recording artist [[Faith Evans]]. It was released by [[Bad Boy Records]] on August 29, 1995 in the United States. A collaboration with the label's main producers [[The Hitmen (production team)|The Hitmen]], including members [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs]] and [[Chucky Thompson]], as well as Mark Ledford, Herb Middleton, and [[Poke & Tone|Jean-Claude Olivier]], among others.
'''''Faith''''' is the debut studio album by American singer [[Faith Evans]]. It was released by [[Bad Boy Records]] on August 29, 1995, in the United States. A collaboration with the label's main producers [[The Hitmen (production team)|the Hitmen]], including members [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs]] and [[Chucky Thompson]], as well as Mark Ledford, Herb Middleton, and [[Poke & Tone|Jean-Claude Olivier]], among others.


The album, which spawned the [[Music recording sales certification|gold]]-certified hits "[[You Used to Love Me (Faith Evans song)|You Used to Love Me]]" and "[[Soon as I Get Home]]", was certified [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by the [[RIAA]] in March 1996. ''Faith'' contains a cover of the [[Rose Royce]]'s single "[[Love Don't Live Here Anymore]]" which featured an appearance from [[Mary J. Blige]] on the album's original pressings.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Arceneaux|first1=Michael|title=It’s Time We Stop Treating Faith Evans As Just Biggie’s Widow|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/200926/its-time-we-treat-faith-evans-as-more-than-just-biggies-widow/|website=vh1.com|publisher=Viacom International, Inc.|accessdate=2016-06-19}}</ref>
The album, which spawned the [[Music recording sales certification|gold]]-certified hits "[[You Used to Love Me (Faith Evans song)|You Used to Love Me]]" and "[[Soon as I Get Home]]", was certified [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by the [[RIAA]] in March 1996. ''Faith'' contains a cover of the [[Rose Royce]]'s single "[[Love Don't Live Here Anymore]]" which featured an appearance from [[Mary J. Blige]] on the album's original pressings.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Arceneaux|first1=Michael|title=It's Time We Stop Treating Faith Evans As Just Biggie's Widow|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/lpiui9/its-time-we-treat-faith-evans-as-more-than-just-biggies-widow|website=vh1.com|publisher=Viacom International, Inc.|accessdate=June 19, 2016}}</ref>


==Production==
==Production==
Newly contracted to [[Bad Boy Records]], Evans was consulted by [[executive producer]] Combs to contribute backing vocals and writing skills to [[Mary J. Blige]]'s ''[[My Life (Mary J. Blige album)|My Life]]'' (1994) and [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher's]] [[Usher (album)|self-titled debut album]] (1994) prior to starting work on her debut record album ''Faith''.<ref name="four">{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/evans_faith/artist.jhtml#bio|date=2006-11-16|title=Full Biography|publisher=[[MTV]]|work=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=2009-03-20}}</ref> Producer Chucky Thompson- who helmed most of the album- recalls meeting Evans for the first time by her doing vocal production work on Usher's album.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul">{{cite web|title=Interview: Chucky Thompson Talks Creating Faith Evans’ Debut "Faith" and the History Behind the Notorious B.I.G.’s "Big Poppa" (Part 2)|url=http://youknowigotsoul.com/interview-chucky-thompson-part-2|website=youknowigotsoul.com|publisher=You Know I Got Soul|accessdate=2014-08-17}}</ref> Though she initially was a protégé of [[Al B. Sure!]]'s, she eventually signed to Bad Boy and insisted on Thompson producing her entire album after hearing him playing music on the piano in the studio.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/> Thompson said Evans' first single "You Used To Love Me" was originally planned for her labelmates [[Total (band)|Total]],<ref name="Soul Culture">{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Chris|title=Producer Chucky Thompson recalls crafting Faith Evans’ debut album, Faith (1995) {{!}} Return To The Classics|url=http://soulculture.com/features/interviews/faith-evans-return-to-the-classics/|website=soulculture.com|publisher=Soul Culture|accessdate=2014-08-17}}</ref> but Evans wrote to the track after hearing the music and it was the first song finished for her album.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/> The second single "Soon As I Get Home" was done to pass the time at the studio because Thompson had a flight to catch later that day.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/><ref name="Soul Culture"/> As he was about to leave, he received a call from Combs insisting he record the music Evans heard him play before he got on the plane.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/><ref name="Soul Culture"/> Evans later left a message on Thompson's answering machine- which was the song she wrote and recorded.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> Thompson said the song was finished and he didn't add any other touches to it.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/>
Newly contracted to [[Bad Boy Records]], Evans was consulted by [[executive producer]] Combs to contribute backing vocals and writing skills to [[Mary J. Blige]]'s ''[[My Life (Mary J. Blige album)|My Life]]'' (1994) and [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher's]] [[Usher (album)|self-titled debut album]] (1994) prior to starting work on her debut record album ''Faith''.<ref name="four">{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/evans_faith/artist.jhtml#bio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126184210/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/evans_faith/artist.jhtml#bio|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 26, 2005|date=November 16, 2006|title=Full Biography|publisher=[[MTV]]|work=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=March 20, 2009}}</ref> Producer Chucky Thompson - who helmed most of the album - recalls meeting Evans for the first time by her doing vocal production work on Usher's album.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul">{{cite web|title=Interview: Chucky Thompson Talks Creating Faith Evans' Debut "Faith" and the History Behind the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa" (Part 2)|url=http://youknowigotsoul.com/interview-chucky-thompson-part-2|website=youknowigotsoul.com|publisher=You Know I Got Soul|accessdate=August 17, 2014}}</ref> Though she initially was a protégé of [[Al B. Sure!]]'s, she eventually signed to Bad Boy and insisted on Thompson producing her entire album after hearing him playing music on the piano in the studio.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/> Thompson said Evans' first single "You Used To Love Me" was originally planned for her labelmates [[Total (band)|Total]],<ref name="Soul Culture">{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Chris|title=Producer Chucky Thompson recalls crafting Faith Evans' debut album, Faith (1995) {{!}} Return To The Classics|url=http://soulculture.com/features/interviews/faith-evans-return-to-the-classics/|website=soulculture.com|publisher=Soul Culture|accessdate=August 17, 2014}}</ref> but Evans wrote to the track after hearing the music and it was the first song finished for her album.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/> The second single "Soon As I Get Home" was done to pass the time at the studio because Thompson had a flight to catch later that day.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/><ref name="Soul Culture"/> As he was about to leave, he received a call from Combs insisting he record the music Evans heard him play before he got on the plane.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/><ref name="Soul Culture"/> Evans later left a message on Thompson's answering machine - which was the song she wrote and recorded.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> Thompson said the song was finished and he didn't add any other touches to it.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/>


Another song on the album, "You Don't Understand", was primarily influenced by Evans' marriage to [[The Notorious B.I.G.]].<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/><ref name="Soul Culture"/> The music of [[R. Kelly]] was the primary inspiration for the musical arrangement, according to Thompson.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/> The third single from the album was the song "Ain't Nobody". Thompson said it was influenced by the song "Can't Let Her Get Away" by [[Michael Jackson]] from his 1991 album ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]''.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> When he started on the music, he didn't do the tracking until after Combs came to hear the song and gave him the go ahead to track it.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> When Thompson attempted the first time after Combs left, the plug came out from the machine and the entire track was erased- which led him having to do it all over again from scratch.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> The final single released from the album, "Come Over", was initially supposed to be an interlude.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> However, Evans insisted the interlude should be made into a full song.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> Another album track on ''Faith'', "All This Love" was written by Evans and her boyfriend prior to her marriage to The Notorious B.I.G., but Thompson revealed the music was composed five years before he met Evans.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> The CD bonus track "Reasons" featured uncredited background vocals from [[Blackstreet]] member [[Dave Hollister]].<ref name="Soul Culture"/> The reason for his appearance was due to Evans and Blackstreet recording their debut albums at the same studio, but only on different floors.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> Also originally planned as an interlude, Blackstreet member and producer [[Teddy Riley (producer)|Teddy Riley]] came looking for Hollister and overheard the two singing "Reasons". Riley then suggested to Combs that it should be made into a full song.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> ''Faith'' was recorded primarily at [[The Hit Factory]] and Combs' personal studio Daddy's House Recording- both of which were based in [[New York City]].
Another song on the album, "You Don't Understand", was primarily influenced by Evans' marriage to [[The Notorious B.I.G.]]<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/><ref name="Soul Culture"/> The music of [[R. Kelly]] was the primary inspiration for the musical arrangement, according to Thompson.<ref name="You Know I Got Soul"/> The third single from the album was the song "Ain't Nobody". Thompson said it was influenced by the song "Can't Let Her Get Away" by [[Michael Jackson]] from his 1991 album ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]''.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> When he started on the music, he didn't do the tracking until after Combs came to hear the song and gave him the go ahead to track it.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> When Thompson attempted the first time after Combs left, the plug came out from the machine and the entire track was erased - which led him having to do it all over again from scratch.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> The final single released from the album, "Come Over", was initially supposed to be an interlude.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> However, Evans insisted the interlude should be made into a full song.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> Another album track on ''Faith'', "All This Love" was written by Evans and her boyfriend prior to her marriage to The Notorious B.I.G., but Thompson revealed the music was composed five years before he met Evans.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> The CD bonus track "Reasons" featured uncredited background vocals from [[Blackstreet]] member [[Dave Hollister]].<ref name="Soul Culture"/> The reason for his appearance was due to Evans and Blackstreet recording their debut albums at the same studio, but only on different floors.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> Also originally planned as an interlude, Blackstreet member and producer [[Teddy Riley (producer)|Teddy Riley]] came looking for Hollister and overheard the two singing "Reasons". Riley then suggested to Combs that it should be made into a full song.<ref name="Soul Culture"/> ''Faith'' was recorded primarily at [[The Hit Factory]] and Combs' personal studio Daddy's House Recording - both of which were based in [[New York City]].


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r219153|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review]</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r219153|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review]</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
|rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
|rev2Score = A−<ref name="ew">{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,298273,00.html |title=''Faith'' (1995)|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=2017-04-12}}</ref>
|rev2Score = A−<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,298273,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006163110/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,298273,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |title=''Faith'' (1995)|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=April 12, 2017}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
|rev3 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
|rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="rollingstone">[https://books.google.com/books?id=t9eocwUfoSoC&pg=PA284&lpg=PA284&dq=rolling+stone+faith+evans+album+guide&source=bl&ots=BiMmoj4PT3&sig=cBX1SOD0lTvJJ6AJxi9h8p1gkpE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=fYbWUO_fM9Oz0QHsu4GIBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=rolling%20stone%20faith%20evans%20album%20guide&f=false Rolling Stone Album Guide]</ref>
|rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="rollingstone">[https://books.google.com/books?id=t9eocwUfoSoC&dq=rolling+stone+faith+evans+album+guide&pg=PA284 Rolling Stone Album Guide]</ref>
}}
}}
''Faith'' received critical acclaim upon its release. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the album an A- rating, describing ''Faith'' as "packed with sensual, smoky R&B torch songs and titanium-hard hip-hop beats--Faith seems set to take her place at the top of the mountain of young soul divas."<ref name="ew"/> ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' complimented the albums vocal production, noting that Evans "possesses a perfect voice. Folks have likened that voice to rain, and it's an appropriate metaphor [...] can sound as lilting as a summer shower or as electric as a thunderstorm. Her instrument's potential seems boundless [...] more [[Whitney Houston|Whitney]] than [[Mary J. Blige|Mary]], more classic than nouveau."<ref>(9/95, p.&nbsp;192) </ref> ''[[The Source]]'' praised [[Sean Combs]] production, writing that "for those closet sentimentalists or those who like to get their slow drag on [...] when you're working with the man who perfected the remix, there's still a good chance that ''Faith'' will not only be pumping on rainy nights in the crib but also on summer days in the [[Toyota Land Cruiser|Land Cruiser]]s too."<ref>(9/95, p.&nbsp;104)</ref>
''Faith'' received critical acclaim upon its release. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the album an A− rating, describing ''Faith'' as "packed with sensual, smoky R&B torch songs and titanium-hard hip-hop beats--Faith seems set to take her place at the top of the mountain of young soul divas."<ref name="ew"/> ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' complimented the album's vocal production, noting that Evans "possesses a perfect voice. Folks have likened that voice to rain, and it's an appropriate metaphor [...] can sound as lilting as a summer shower or as electric as a thunderstorm. Her instrument's potential seems boundless [...] more [[Whitney Houston|Whitney]] than [[Mary J. Blige|Mary]], more classic than nouveau."<ref>(9/95, p.&nbsp;192)</ref> ''[[The Source]]'' praised [[Sean Combs]]' production, writing that "for those closet sentimentalists or those who like to get their slow drag on [...] when you're working with the man who perfected the remix, there's still a good chance that ''Faith'' will not only be pumping on rainy nights in the crib but also on summer days in the [[Toyota Land Cruiser|Land Cruiser]]s too."<ref>(9/95, p.&nbsp;104)</ref> [[AllMusic]] editor [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] remarked that ''Faith'' "proves that she is as powerful in the spotlight as she is behind the scenes. Evans builds on a basic, hip-hop-influenced funk, alternating between simmering grooves and sultry ballads. ''Faith'' does have a couple of dull spots, but the album is a first-class debut."<ref name="allmusic"/>


==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
Released on August 29, 1995, the album became a success based on the hit singles "You Used to Love Me", "Soon as I Get Home" and Ain't Nobody". It was certified [[Platinum album|platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) with over 1,500,000 copies sold.<ref name="five">{{cite web|last=Smaldino|first=Denise|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984917.html?categoryid=3067&cs=1|date=2008-04-30|title=Sean Combs earns platinum, gold|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|accessdate=2009-03-20}}</ref>
Released on August 29, 1995, the album became a success based on the hit singles "You Used to Love Me", "Soon as I Get Home" and "Ain't Nobody". It was certified [[Platinum album|platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) with over 1,000,000 copies sold.<ref name="five">{{cite web|last=Smaldino|first=Denise|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984917.html?categoryid=3067&cs=1|date=April 30, 2008|title=Sean Combs earns platinum, gold|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|accessdate=March 20, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130050248/https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984917.html?categoryid=3067&cs=1|archivedate=November 30, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{track listing
Credits adapted from liner notes.<ref>Faith Evans - Faith (CD liner notes). Bad Boy Entertainment/Arista Records. 78612-73003-2</ref>
| headline = ''Faith'' track listing
{{tracklist
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Faith (Interlude)
| title1 = Faith (Interlude)
| note1
| writer1 = Faith Evans
| writer1 = Faith Evans
| extra1 = [[Chucky Thompson]]
| extra1 = [[Chucky Thompson]]
Line 137: Line 135:
| extra14 = Herb Middleton
| extra14 = Herb Middleton
| length14 = 4:55
| length14 = 4:55
}}
{{track listing
⚫
| headline = CD-only bonus track
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 62:10


| title15 = Reasons
| title15 = Reasons
⚫
| note15 = CD bonus track
| writer15 = {{hlist|Evans}}
| writer15 = {{hlist|Evans}}
| extra15 = {{hlist|Combs|Thompson}}
| extra15 = {{hlist|Combs|Thompson}}
| length15 = 5:01
}}
}}
'''Samples'''
'''Sample credits'''
*"Fallin' in Love" samples "Remind Me", performed by [[Patrice Rushen]].
*"No Other Love" contains a sample from "[[Walk On By (song)|Walk On By]]", as written by [[Burt Bacharach]] and [[Hal David]] and performed by [[Isaac Hayes]].
*"Give It to Me" samples "In the Mood", performed by [[Tyrone Davis]].
*"Fallin' in Love" contains a sample from "Remind Me", as written and performed by [[Patrice Rushen]].
*"No Other Love" samples "Walk on By", performed by [[Isaac Hayes]].
*"Give It to Me" samples "In the Mood", as written and performed by [[Tyrone Davis]].


==Credits==
==Personnel==
{{col-start}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
* [[Prince Charles Alexander|Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander]] - Mixing, producer, musician
* [[Prince Charles Alexander|Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander]] – mixing, producer, musician
* Victor Bailey - Musician
* Victor Bailey – musician
* "Bassy" Bob Brockman - Engineer
* "Bassy" Bob Brockman – engineer
* [[Regina Carter]] - Violin
* [[Regina Carter]] – violin
* Sean "Puffy" Combs - Producer, executive producer
* Sean "Puffy" Combs – producer, executive producer
* Lane Craven - Engineer
* Lane Craven – engineer
* Akua Dixon - Musician
* [[Akua Dixon]] – musician
* [[Faith Evans]] - Vocals, songwriting
* [[Faith Evans]] – vocals, songwriting
* Caroline Greyshock - Photography
* Caroline Greyshock – photography
* Jeffrey Haynes - Musician
* Jeffrey Haynes – musician
* Judith Insell - Musician
* Judith Insell – musician
* Kevin Johnson - Musician
* Kevin Johnson – musician
* [[Daron Jones]] - Keyboards, vocals
* [[Daron Jones]] – keyboards, vocals
* [[Mark Ledford]] - Producer, trumpet
* [[Mark Ledford]] – producer, trumpet
* Paul Logus - Engineer
* Paul Logus – engineer
* Gerardo Lopez - Engineer
* Gerardo Lopez – engineer
* [[Tony Maserati]] - Engineer, mixing
* [[Tony Maserati]] – engineer, mixing
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
* Darryl McClary - Keyboards
* Darryl McClary – keyboards
* [[Fred McFarlane]] - Keyboards
* [[Fred McFarlane]] – keyboards
* Herb Middleton - Keyboards, producer, additional keyboards
* Herb Middleton – keyboards, producer, additional keyboards
* Nasheim Myrick - Engineer
* Nasheim Myrick – engineer
* Axel Niehaus - Engineer, mixing
* Axel Niehaus – engineer, mixing
* [[Quinnes Parker]] - Vocals (background)
* Quinnes Parker – backing vocals
* [[Paul Pesco]] - Guitar
* [[Paul Pesco]] – guitar
⚫
* Bruce Purse – trumpet
* [[Harve Pierre]] - A&R
* John Shriver – engineer, second engineer
⚫
* Bruce Purse - Trumpet
* John Shriver - Engineer, second engineer
* Tony Smalios – engineer
⚫
* Lisa Terry – musician
* Tony Smalios - Engineer
⚫
* Kevin Thomas – engineer
⚫
* Lisa Terry - Musician
⚫
* Chucky Thompson – producer
⚫
* Kevin Thomas - Engineer
⚫
* Richard Travali – engineer, mixing
⚫
* Chucky Thompson - Producer
⚫
* Kiyah Wright – hair stylist
⚫
* Richard Travali - Engineer, mixing
⚫
* [[Mary J. Blige]] – vocals
⚫
* Kiyah Wright - Hair stylist
⚫
* [[Mary J. Blige]] - Vocals
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


Line 191: Line 193:
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for ''Faith''
⚫
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1995)
! scope="col"| Chart (1995)
! scope="col"| Peak<br/>position
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
|-
{{albumchart|Billboard200|22|artist=Faith Evans|artistid={{BillboardID|Faith Evans}}|rowheader=true|accessdate=2017-04-12}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|22|artist=Faith Evans|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 12, 2017}}
|-
|-
{{albumchart|BillboardRandBHipHop|2|artist=Faith Evans|artistid={{BillboardID|Faith Evans}}|rowheader=true|accessdate=2017-04-12}}
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|2|artist=Faith Evans|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 12, 2017}}
|}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ 1995 year-end chart performance for ''Faith''
⚫
! scope="col"|Chart (1995)
⚫
! scope="col"|Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/the-billboard-200|title=1995 Year-End Chart – Billboard 200 Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |accessdate=April 12, 2017}}</ref>
⚫
!Chart (1995)
|align="center"| 190
⚫
!Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/the-billboard-200|title=1995 Year-End Chart – Billboard 200 Albums|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |accessdate=2017-04-12}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums?page=6&begin=11&order=position|title=1995 Year-End Chart – Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |accessdate=April 12, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|190
|align="center"| 42
⚫
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ 1996 year-end chart performance for ''Faith''
! scope="col"| Chart (1996)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums?page=6&begin=11&order=position|title=1995 Year-End Chart – Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |accessdate=2017-04-12}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=May 8, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|42
|align="center"|39
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


== Certifications ==
== Certifications ==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Faith''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album |region=United States |artist=Faith|title=Faithfully |award=Platinum|certyear=1995|relyear=1995|autocat=yes |accessdate=2017-04-12}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=Faith Evans|title=Faith|award=Platinum|relyear=1995|certyear=1996|access-date=2017-04-12}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|format=3col|nounspecified=yes|nosales=yes}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|format=3col|nosales=yes}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.faithevansmusic.com/ FaithEvansMusic.com]
* [http://www.myspace.com/faithevans Faith Evans] at [[MySpace]]
* {{discogs artist|artist=Faith Evans|name=Faith Evans}}
* {{discogs artist|artist=Faith Evans|name=Faith Evans}}
* {{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p151651|label=Faith Evans}}


{{Faith Evans}}
{{Faith Evans}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Faith (Faith Evans album)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Faith (Faith Evans album)}}
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[[Category:Faith Evans albums]]
[[Category:Faith Evans albums]]
[[Category:Bad Boy Records albums]]
[[Category:Bad Boy Records albums]]
[[Category:Arista Records albums]]

Latest revision as of 23:36, 11 July 2024

Faith
Studio album by
Faith Evans
ReleasedAugust 29, 1995
RecordedNovember 1994 – June 1995
StudioThe Hit Factory (New York City)
GenreR&B[1]
Length62:10
Label
Producer
Faith Evans chronology
Faith
(1995) 		Keep the Faith
(1998)
Singles from Faith
  1. "You Used to Love Me"
    Released: July 13, 1995
  2. "Soon as I Get Home"
    Released: September 21, 1995
  3. "Ain't Nobody"
    Released: October 26, 1995
  4. "Come Over"
    Released: January 24, 1996

Faith is the debut studio album by American singer Faith Evans. It was released by Bad Boy Records on August 29, 1995, in the United States. A collaboration with the label's main producers the Hitmen, including members Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and Chucky Thompson, as well as Mark Ledford, Herb Middleton, and Jean-Claude Olivier, among others.

The album, which spawned the gold-certified hits "You Used to Love Me" and "Soon as I Get Home", was certified Platinum by the RIAA in March 1996. Faith contains a cover of the Rose Royce's single "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" which featured an appearance from Mary J. Blige on the album's original pressings.[2]

Production

[edit]

Newly contracted to Bad Boy Records, Evans was consulted by executive producer Combs to contribute backing vocals and writing skills to Mary J. Blige's My Life (1994) and Usher's self-titled debut album (1994) prior to starting work on her debut record album Faith.[3] Producer Chucky Thompson - who helmed most of the album - recalls meeting Evans for the first time by her doing vocal production work on Usher's album.[4] Though she initially was a protégé of Al B. Sure!'s, she eventually signed to Bad Boy and insisted on Thompson producing her entire album after hearing him playing music on the piano in the studio.[4] Thompson said Evans' first single "You Used To Love Me" was originally planned for her labelmates Total,[5] but Evans wrote to the track after hearing the music and it was the first song finished for her album.[4] The second single "Soon As I Get Home" was done to pass the time at the studio because Thompson had a flight to catch later that day.[4][5] As he was about to leave, he received a call from Combs insisting he record the music Evans heard him play before he got on the plane.[4][5] Evans later left a message on Thompson's answering machine - which was the song she wrote and recorded.[5] Thompson said the song was finished and he didn't add any other touches to it.[4]

Another song on the album, "You Don't Understand", was primarily influenced by Evans' marriage to The Notorious B.I.G.[4][5] The music of R. Kelly was the primary inspiration for the musical arrangement, according to Thompson.[4] The third single from the album was the song "Ain't Nobody". Thompson said it was influenced by the song "Can't Let Her Get Away" by Michael Jackson from his 1991 album Dangerous.[5] When he started on the music, he didn't do the tracking until after Combs came to hear the song and gave him the go ahead to track it.[5] When Thompson attempted the first time after Combs left, the plug came out from the machine and the entire track was erased - which led him having to do it all over again from scratch.[5] The final single released from the album, "Come Over", was initially supposed to be an interlude.[5] However, Evans insisted the interlude should be made into a full song.[5] Another album track on Faith, "All This Love" was written by Evans and her boyfriend prior to her marriage to The Notorious B.I.G., but Thompson revealed the music was composed five years before he met Evans.[5] The CD bonus track "Reasons" featured uncredited background vocals from Blackstreet member Dave Hollister.[5] The reason for his appearance was due to Evans and Blackstreet recording their debut albums at the same studio, but only on different floors.[5] Also originally planned as an interlude, Blackstreet member and producer Teddy Riley came looking for Hollister and overheard the two singing "Reasons". Riley then suggested to Combs that it should be made into a full song.[5] Faith was recorded primarily at The Hit Factory and Combs' personal studio Daddy's House Recording - both of which were based in New York City.

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[1]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[7]

Faith received critical acclaim upon its release. Entertainment Weekly gave the album an A− rating, describing Faith as "packed with sensual, smoky R&B torch songs and titanium-hard hip-hop beats--Faith seems set to take her place at the top of the mountain of young soul divas."[1] Vibe complimented the album's vocal production, noting that Evans "possesses a perfect voice. Folks have likened that voice to rain, and it's an appropriate metaphor [...] can sound as lilting as a summer shower or as electric as a thunderstorm. Her instrument's potential seems boundless [...] more Whitney than Mary, more classic than nouveau."[8] The Source praised Sean Combs' production, writing that "for those closet sentimentalists or those who like to get their slow drag on [...] when you're working with the man who perfected the remix, there's still a good chance that Faith will not only be pumping on rainy nights in the crib but also on summer days in the Land Cruisers too."[9] AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine remarked that Faith "proves that she is as powerful in the spotlight as she is behind the scenes. Evans builds on a basic, hip-hop-influenced funk, alternating between simmering grooves and sultry ballads. Faith does have a couple of dull spots, but the album is a first-class debut."[6]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Released on August 29, 1995, the album became a success based on the hit singles "You Used to Love Me", "Soon as I Get Home" and "Ain't Nobody". It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) with over 1,000,000 copies sold.[10]

Track listing

[edit]
Faith track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Faith (Interlude)"Faith EvansChucky Thompson0:41
2."No Other Love"EvansSean "Puffy" Combs4:24
3."Fallin' in Love"
4:33
4."Ain't Nobody"
  • Combs
  • Thompson
5:13
5."You Are My Joy (Interlude)"EvansThompson1:08
6."Love Don't Live Here Anymore"Miles Gregory
4:15
7."Come Over"
  • Evans
  • Floyd Howard
  • Combs
  • Thompson
5:35
8."Soon as I Get Home"
  • Evans
  • Combs
  • Combs
  • Thompson
5:24
9."All This Love"
  • Evans
  • Combs
  • Thompson
6:02
10."Thank You Lord (Interlude)"
  • Evans
  • Evans
0:55
11."You Used to Love Me"
  • Evans
  • Combs
  • Thompson
4:28
12."Give It to Me"
  • Evans
  • Combs
  • Thompson
4:35
13."You Don't Understand"
  • Evans
  • Combs
  • Thompson
5:01
14."Don't Be Afraid"
  • Evans
  • LaTrice Shaw
Herb Middleton4:55
CD-only bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Reasons"
  • Evans
  • Combs
  • Thompson
5:01
Total length:62:10

Sample credits

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Faith
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Faith (1995)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  2. ^ Arceneaux, Michael. "It's Time We Stop Treating Faith Evans As Just Biggie's Widow". vh1.com. Viacom International, Inc. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  3. ^ Huey, Steve (November 16, 2006). "Full Biography". Allmusic. MTV. Archived from the original on November 26, 2005. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Interview: Chucky Thompson Talks Creating Faith Evans' Debut "Faith" and the History Behind the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa" (Part 2)". youknowigotsoul.com. You Know I Got Soul. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Williams, Chris. "Producer Chucky Thompson recalls crafting Faith Evans' debut album, Faith (1995) | Return To The Classics". soulculture.com. Soul Culture. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Allmusic review
  7. ^ Rolling Stone Album Guide
  8. ^ (9/95, p. 192)
  9. ^ (9/95, p. 104)
  10. ^ Smaldino, Denise (April 30, 2008). "Sean Combs earns platinum, gold". Variety. Archived from the original on November 30, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
  11. ^ "Faith Evans Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  12. ^ "Faith Evans Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  13. ^ "1995 Year-End Chart – Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  14. ^ "1995 Year-End Chart – Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  15. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  16. ^ "American album certifications – Faith Evans – Faith". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
[edit]
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