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So Many Ways

{{other uses}}

{{Infobox album

| name = So Many Ways

| type = studio

| artist = The Braxtons

| cover = The_braxtons_so_many_ways.jpg

| alt =

| released = August 6, 1996 (original version)
November 19, 1996 (later pressings)

| recorded = November 1995 – April 1996

| venue =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 59:20

| label = Atlantic

| producer = {{hlist|Jermaine Dupri|Tricky Stewart|Sean "Sep" Hall|Daryl Simmons|Allen "Allstar" Gordon|Donald Parks|Emmanuel Officer|John Howcott|Kenny Gonzalez|Little Louie Vega}}

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Braxton Family Christmas

| next_year = 2015

| misc = {{Singles

| name = So Many Ways

| type = studio

| single1 = So Many Ways

| single1date = July 23, 1996

| single2 = Only Love

| single2date = January 25, 1997

| single3 = The Boss

| single3date = March 17, 1997

| single4 = Slow Flow

| single4date = July 2, 1997

}}

}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/so-many-ways-mw0000184239 |title = So Many Ways - the Braxtons | Songs, Reviews, Credits| website=AllMusic }}

| rev2 = Cash Box

| rev2score = (favorable){{cite magazine|first=Peter|last=Miro|title=Urban|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1996/CB-1996-08-24.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|date=August 24, 1996|page=11|accessdate=November 15, 2022}}

}}

So Many Ways is the debut album by American R&B vocal group The Braxtons. Released on August 6, 1996, the album produced four singles; "So Many Ways", "Only Love", "The Boss" – which peaked at number-one in the Billboard Dance Charts – and "Slow Flow". "So Many Ways" peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/388935/braxtons/chart |title=The Braxtons - Chart history |publisher=Billboard.com |date=1996-10-05 |accessdate=2015-07-08}} and No. 3 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.{{Cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vwkEAAAAMBAJ&q=the+braxtons+so+many+ways+album+charts&pg=PA22|title=Billboard's Heatseekers Album Chart|date=September 28, 1996|magazine=Billboard|volume=108|number=39|page=22|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}}

Background

The Braxtons originally started out in 1989. They first signed as a fivesome to Arista Records which consisted of Toni Braxton and her four sisters, Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci. In 1990, they released their first single "Good Life". It would be their only single as a fivesome. "Good Life" failed to become a hit and The Braxtons were dropped from Arista Records. Despite the single's underwhelming performance, Toni Braxton's vocals caught the attention of Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds who were in the process of forming LaFace Records. Eventually, Toni signed as a solo artist and started her career in 1992. In 1996, three out of the four Braxtons, Trina, Tamar and Towanda reunited and released their album So Many Ways. Their older sister Traci, did not join them as she was pregnant at the time they signed a new contract. The album produced four singles: "So Many Ways", "Only Love", "Slow Flow" and "The Boss"; the latter peaked at number-one in the Billboard Dance Charts.

Singles

"So Many Ways" was released as the lead single from the album July 23, 1996.{{cite web|title=So Many Ways [Vinyl]|url=https://www.amazon.com/So-Many-Ways-Vinyl-Braxtons/dp/B000002JIG/ref=tmm_vnl_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1471901604&sr=8-1|website=Amazon|accessdate=22 August 2016}} On August 17, 1996, The Braxtons released the video for the song, it was directed by Cameron Casey and featured actor Mekhi Phifer.Reynolds, J.R. "So Many Ways." Billboard Magazine. September 14, 1996: 30. Print.{{cite web|title=The Braxtons - So Many Ways (Official Music Video) (1996)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKTFNFq9yMA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216063229/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKTFNFq9yMA |archive-date=2017-02-16 |url-status=dead|website=Youtube|accessdate=August 22, 2016}} The single was also used as the opening track for the soundtrack to the comedy film High School High.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000010R |title=Ira Newborn, Various Artists: High School High: The Soundtrack: Music |website=Amazon |date= |accessdate=2015-07-08}}

The song charted at 83 on Billboard Hot 100 and 22 on US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in the US.{{cite magazine|title=The Braxtons - Chart History Hot 100 Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/388935/braxtons/chart|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 21, 2016}}{{cite magazine|title=HOT R&B HIP-HOP SONGS August 17, 1996|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1996-08-17|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 21, 2016}} The song reached the top 40 in the UK charting at 32 and in New Zealand the song charted at 17.{{cite web|title=UK Singles Archive Chart 01.02.1997|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19970201/7501|website=Official Charts Company|accessdate=August 21, 2016}}{{cite web|title=New Zealand Charts November 24, 1996|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/1996-11-22|website=The Official New Zealand Music Chart|access-date=August 21, 2016}} The trio also performed a remixed version of "So Many Ways" with rapper Jay-Z on September 9, 1996, at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/shows/soul-train-awards/clip-licensing-info.html?cid=facebook|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101175911/http://www.soultrain.com/stlos/library.html|url-status=dead|title=Soul Train Licensing Info|archivedate=January 1, 2013|website=BET.com}}

"Only Love" was released as the album's second single on January 25, 1997. The song charted at #52 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs spending fourteen weeks in total on the chart.{{cite magazine|title=HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS 25.01.1997|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/388935/braxtons/chart?f=367|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 22, 2016}} The song charted at #3 on New Zealand's Top 40 chart.{{cite web|title=New Zealand Music Chart April 6, 1997|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/1997-04-04|website=The Official New Zealand Music Chart|access-date=August 22, 2016}} A music video for this song was also released.{{cite web|title=The Braxtons - Only Love (Official Music Video) (1997)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLTtDrvSG5Y |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216061115/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLTtDrvSG5Y |archive-date=2017-02-16 |url-status=dead|website=Youtube|accessdate=August 22, 2016}}

"The Boss" was released as the album's third single in early 1997. A music video was released to promote the song.{{cite web|title=The Braxtons - The Boss (Official Music Video) (1997) HD|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QV_776uMOY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/3QV_776uMOY |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|website=Youtube|accessdate=August 22, 2016}}{{cbignore}} On February 1, 1997, the Masters At Work version topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for one week a #1 in the United States.{{cite magazine|title=The Braxtons - Chart History Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/388935/braxtons/chart?f=359|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 20, 2016}} The song stayed in the chart for 14 weeks.{{cite magazine|title=Hot Dance Club Songs, Billboard.com, issue date February 1, 1997|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/1997-02-01/dance-club-play-songs|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 20, 2016}} On March 29, 1997, the song debuted at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web|title=UK Singles Chart Archive 29.03.1997|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19970329/7501|website=Official Charts Company|accessdate=August 20, 2016}} The song spent a total of three weeks on the chart at numbers 50 and 69 respectively before leaving the Top 75 on April 12, 1997, becoming their second top 40 in the UK.{{cite web|title=UK Singles Chart Archive 05.04.1997|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19970405/7501|website=Official Charts Company|accessdate=August 20, 2016}}{{cite web|title=UK Singles Chart Archive 12.04.1997|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19970412/7501|website=Official Charts Company|accessdate=August 20, 2016}}

"Slow Flow" was released as the fourth and final single from the album. Despite failing to chart in the U.S. the song charted at #26 on UK Singles Chart becoming their highest chart to date.{{cite web|title=UK Singles Chart Archive 19.07.1997|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19970719/7501|website=Official Charts Company|accessdate=August 22, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/braxtons/ |title=BRAXTONS | Artist |publisher=Official Charts |date= |accessdate=April 9, 2012}} The song also charted in New Zealand at #38 on New Zealand Singles Chart.{{cite web|title=New Zealand Charts October 12, 1997|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/1997-10-10|website=The Official New Zealand Music Chart|access-date=August 22, 2016}} The Braxtons also served as the opening act for Toni Braxton on the European Leg of her Secrets Tour in 1997.

Commercial performance

So Many Ways peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. It reached #2 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline =

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = So Many Ways

| writer1 = {{Flat list|

  • Carl-So-Lowe
  • Jermaine Dupri}}

| extra1 = Jermaine Dupri

| length1 = 3:54

| title2 = Slow Flow

| writer2 = {{Flat list|

| extra2 = {{Flat list|

  • Christopher "Tricky" Stewart
  • Sean "Sep" Hall}}

| length2 = 4:24

| title3 = Only Love

| writer3 = {{Flat list|

| extra3 = Allen "Allstar" Gordon

| length3 = 4:25

| title4 = I'd Still Say Yes

| writer4 = {{Flat list|

| extra4 = Daryl Simmons

| length4 = 4:42

| title5 = L.A.D.I.

| writer5 = {{Flat list|

| extra5 = {{Flat list|

  • Stewart
  • Hall}}

| length5 = 4:10

| title6 = Take Home to Momma

| writer6 = {{Flat list|

| extra6 = Dupri

| length6 = 4:29

| title7 = Where's the Good in Goodbye

| writer7 = Stewart

| extra7 = {{Flat list|

  • Stewart
  • Hall}}

| length7 = 5:23

| title8 = What Does It Take

| writer8 = {{Flat list|

  • Joel Campbell
  • Andrea Martin}}

| extra8 = Gordon

| length8 = 5:26

| title9 = Girl on the Side

| writer9 = {{Flat list|

  • Traci Braxton
  • Braxtons
  • London Jones
  • Stewart}}

| extra9 = {{Flat list|

  • Stewart
  • Hall}}

| length9 = 4:42

| title10 = In a Special Way

| writer10 = {{Flat list|

| extra10 = {{Flat list|

  • Donald Parks
  • Emanuel Officer
  • John Howcott}}

| length10 = 4:55

| title11 = Never Say Goodbye

| writer11 = {{Flat list|

  • Howcott
  • Silena Murrell
  • Officer
  • Parks}}

| extra11 = {{Flat list|

  • Parks
  • Officer
  • Howcott}}

| length11 = 3:09

| title12 = The Boss

| writer12 = {{Flat list|

| extra12 = {{Flat list|

| length12 = 9:41

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japan bonus Track{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Braxtons-So-Many-Ways/release/3122447 |title=The Braxtons – So Many Ways (CD,Album) at Discogs |publisher=discogs.com |accessdate=December 17, 2015}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title13 = 24/7

| writer13 = {{Flat list|

| extra13 = {{Flat list|

  • Parks
  • Officer
  • Howcott}}

| length13 = 4:29

}}

Charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (1996)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row" {{album chart|Canada|55|chartid=9927|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2023}}
scope="row" {{album chart|Netherlands|48|artist=The Braxtons|album=So Many Ways|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2023}}
scope="row" {{album chart|UKR&B|33|date=19960929|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2023}}
scope="row"|US Billboard 200{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-braxtons|title=The Braxtons Chart History (Billboard 200)|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526132642/https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Braxtons/chart-history/billboard-200|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 26, 2018}}

| 113

scope="row"|US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums

| 26

scope="row"|US Heatseekers Albums

| 2

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" | Region

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Format

! scope="col" | Edition

! scope="col" | Label

! scope="col" | Ref

scope="row" | United Kingdom

| rowspan="1" | August 6, 1996

| rowspan="2" | CD

| rowspan="4" | Standard

| rowspan="5" | Atlantic Records

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|title=So Many Ways by The Braxtons on Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/so-many-ways/350053273|website=iTunes|access-date=August 22, 2016}}

scope="row" | Germany

| rowspan="1" | August 9, 1996

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|title=So Many Ways The Braxtons: Amazon.de Musik|url=https://www.amazon.de/So-Many-Ways-Braxtons/dp/B000002J8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1471903736&sr=1-1&keywords=the+braxtons|website=Amazon|accessdate=August 22, 2016}}

scope="row" | United Kingdom

| rowspan="1" | August 12, 1996

| rowspan="1" | Cassette

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|title=So Many Ways [CASSETTE]: Amazon.co.uk Music|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/So-Many-Ways-CASSETTE-Braxtons/dp/B000002J8T/ref=mb_oe_c|website=Amazon|accessdate=August 22, 2016}}

scope="row" |United States

| rowspan="1" | August 13, 1996

| rowspan="1" | CD, Cassette

| style="text-align:center;" |{{cite web|title=So Many Ways Amazon.com Music|url=https://www.amazon.com/So-Many-Ways-Braxtons/dp/B000002J8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1471903088&sr=1-1&keywords=the+braxtons+so+many+ways|website=Amazon|accessdate=August 22, 2016}}

scope="row" | United Kingdom

| rowspan="1" | September 9, 1996

| rowspan="2" | CD

| rowspan="1" | Re-release

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|title=So Many Ways: Amazon.co.uk Music|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/So-Many-Ways-Braxtons/dp/B000002J8S|website=Amazon|accessdate=August 22, 2016}}

scope="row" | Japan

| rowspan="1" | September 25, 1996

| rowspan="1" | Japan Edition

| rowspan="1" | Atlantic Records
East West Japan Inc.

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|title= The Braxtons So Many Ways (CD, Album) at Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/Braxtons-So-Many-Ways/release/3122447|website=Discogs|accessdate=August 22, 2016}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}

External links

  • [https://books.google.com/books?id=OiwEAAAAMBAJ&dq=So+Many+Ways+Braxtons+review&pg=PA92 Next (Sep 1996): The Braxtons] at Vibe

{{The Braxtons}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1996 debut albums

Category:The Braxtons albums

Category:Albums produced by Jermaine Dupri