Night & Day (Keshia Chanté album)

{{Infobox album | Name = Day & Night | Type = Studio | Artist = Keshia Chante | Released = Summer 2011
(see release history) | Recorded = 2007-2011 | Genre = R&B, pop | Label = tanjola, Universal Music Canada | Producer = VicPark, Alex Greggs, Justin Forsley, [[ | Last album = 2U
(2007) | This album = Night & Day
(2009)

| Misc = Singles from Night & Day

1. "Table Dancer"
   Released: October 12, 2010
2. "Set U Free"
   Released: March 1, 2011

}}

Night & Day is the third studio album by Canadian recording artist Keshia Chante. The album will be her first release under Tanjola and Universal Music Group. Recording sessions for the album began in 2007, a year after her 2006 release, 2U, under Sony Music Canada. Universal Music Canada will see the album to release in Summer of 2011, according to Chante.

The album's first offering was "Table Dancer" and become Chante's first single to enter the Canadian Hot 100 since it's debut in 2007. This is Chante's first single since her July 2007 release, Fallen. The song managed to peak at #44 on the Canadian Hot 100 and #22 on Canadian Top 40 radio according to Mediabase. The song became nominated at the Juno Awards 2011 for 'Dance Recording of the Year', but lost to Deadmau5. The single was dubbed as her best-selling single of her career. The B-Side of the single, "Test Drive", was nominated at the Juno's as well for 'R&B/Soul Recording Of The Year' but did not win.

The second official release from the album, "Set U Free", was written by Taio Cruz and released March 1, 2011. The single, so far, has debuted on Jam!'s The Hits Chart (Nationwide Airplay) at #81 and peaked at #34 on the Canadian Top 40.

Background

Keshia's previous album 2U (2006) was a commercial success and received generally favorable reviews from most music critics. The album featured 4 singles—including the radio airplay Top 10 single "Been Gone". The album was failed to achieve the success as her debut album, "Keshia Chante", which was certified Gold by the CRIA. After the release of the third single, Fallen, Chanté refused to finish promoting her album to its full potential because of "dirty label politics" infuriating her to ask to be released from her record label. After a few months, her wish was granted and she was released from Sony BMG Canada.

In 2007, after her departure from Sony BMG Canada, Chanté took a brief absence from the spotlight, wanting to learn more about the music business and being mentored by respected entertainment lawyers in Hollywood and Toronto. She later made the decision to move to Atlanta and West Hollywood, where she worked closely the camps of Ne-Yo, Missy Elliott and OutKast. She began honing her skill as a songwriter and her acting chops, starring as the lead actress in the TV series "Soul".

In September, Chanté announced that she would release a 2 disc album titled "Night & Day" slated for a release in Spring 2011. One disc, titled 'Night' will be all Dance music and the other disc, titled 'Day' will be R&B, reminiscent of Chanté's first two albums. When looking for inspiration and the direction that she wanted for this album, she stated that wanted something with "no-genre", sing something that was real and to the heart. Keshia found inspiration from Brandy's Afrodisiac and One in a Million by Aaliyah.

Recording and Music

In an interview with Sway Magazine, Keshia stated “I was travelling all over New York, Miami and L.A., working with different writers and producers,” she says. “At one point, I had 100 songs, but it still didn’t feel like it was happening for me. This is the third album and I had more substantial things to say. So I came back to Toronto, assembled some musicians and a couple of writers and just let it flow.” Keshia also stated that she had been in the studio with Ne-Yo and his camp of writers, as well as The Outsyders, who produced Britney Spears' "Womanizer", but feel she didn't find her own sound by working with them.

In 2009, a song leaked by the title 'I Hope You Cry'. The song generated hype, as it was rumored to be from the Aaliyah biopic, which was obviously false. The song was produced by Atlanta-based producer, J-Mac. Singer Tiffany Evans recorded the song as well, but the first recording was done by Chante, which was confirmed by her in 2011. In 2010, when asked if the song will make the album via Ustream, she answered "Yes", although plans may have changed. In 2010, another track entitled 'Dead To Me' was leaked. The track was written by JC Smith, Keshia Chante and Roz Bell. Smith described the song before it leaked, stating "…think Madonna’s ‘Frozen’ mixed with One Republic/Timbaland ‘Apologize’. Of course, those are just reference points…this song is definitely it’s own thing…as it should be.".

Chante began working with Canadian producers VicPark after experimenting in US with mayn other producers. Chante stated "I got into the studio with Vic Park and had a great time! We have crazy musical chemistry & I was able to find "my" sound. For the rest of the album, I did just that. Working with musicians and creating what I wanted as oppose to adding to music that already exists. The entire album process has been very organic." VicPark has credits on tracks such as "If U Say" and "Test Drive".

In 2010, during a Ustream session with the fans, Chante previewed and early version of "Table Dancer" and VicPark produced track, "Hang My Jersey Up". "Hang My Jersey Up" was named as the first single from the album, but was later switched for "Table Dancer". During a later session, she previewed "If U Say".

In September 2010, The singles for the album were confirmed as "Table Dancer" from the Night side of the album, and "Test Drive" from the single from the Day side of the album. "Test Drive" would later only be used for viral promotion.

Singles

"Test Drive" was released as a promo single on October 12, 2010. On August 13,2010, Chante shot the music video for the song. The song received minimal airplay and failed to chart on the Hot 100 or Itunes.

"Table Dancer" was released as the official first single. It officially impacted US radio on October 5, 2010. It peaked at number 44 in Canada, becoming Keshia's first song to do so. The video for the single was released November 25, 2010 via VEVO and the video climbed into the Top 5 on the MuchMusic Countdown.

Then it was announced that "Set U Free" featuring writing credits from Taio Cruzz would serve as the album's second single. It entered the Canadian Hits Chart (Airplay) at #81 and climbed into the Canadian Top 40 (Airplay) within 2 weeks after charting.

Recorded Tracks

• "Table Dancer"
• "Test Drive"
• "Hang My Jersey Up"
• "If U Say"
• "Can Do Anything"
• "I Hate It, I Love It"
• "Dead To Me"
• "Pillow Talk"
• "Gamble On Love"
• "I Hope You Cry"
• "Who's That?"
• "Take That Shit Off"
• "Deepest Cellars of My Mind"
• "Hello (It Was Always You)"
• "Set U Free"