Still Climbing (Brownstone album)

In early 1995, the R&B group Brownstone underwent significant lineup changes following the departure of Monica "Mimi" Doby due to a persistent bronchial infection. This departure came at a crucial time, as the group's debut album, From The Bottom Up, had garnered considerable attention and was being actively promoted, particularly through the single "Grapevyne." The timing of Doby's exit posed challenges for the group, which was in the midst of a promotional tour. To address the vacancy, Brownstone recruited Kina Cosper, a former college acquaintance of group member Nicci Gilbert.

The band began recording their second studio album, Still Climbing, in January 1996. During this period, Brownstone faced considerable pressure from their record label. The album's production involved collaboration with several new producers and songwriters, including notable figures such as Rodney Jerkins and Robin Thicke. {{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/muzik026_july_1997/page/n49/mode/2up?q=Nicci+Maxee |title=muzik026 july 1997}}

In his review for Allmusic, senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that Still Climbing "suffers from the same inconsistent songwriting that plagued their debut From the Bottom Up, yet that isn't a fatal flaw. There are as many strong singles on Still Climbing as on the debut, and Brownstone sounds stronger and more confident on the record, making it an enjoyable, if tentative, step forward."{{Album ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r277828}}

| noprose = yes

}}

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Let's Get It Started

| writer1 = {{hlist|Nichole Gilbert|Charmayne Maxwell|Herman Kelly|Kina Cosper|Rodney Jerkins}}

| extra1 = Jerkins

| length1 = 4:51

| title2 = 5 Miles to Empty

| writer2 = {{hlist|Gilbert|Gerald Baillergeau|Victor Merritt}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Baillergeau|Merritt}}

| length2 = 5:11

| title3 = Love Me Like You Do

| writer3 = {{hlist|Gilbert|Jerkins|Dwayne Barnes}}

| extra3 = Hall

| length3 = 4:31

| title4 = In the Game of Love

| writer4 = {{hlist|Gordon Chambers|Rich Stroud|Kelvin Anderson}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Dave Hall|Stroud{{ref|a|[a]}}|Anderson{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length4 = 4:44

| title5 = Foolish Pride

| writer5 = {{hlist|Gilbert|Carsten Schack}}

| extra5 = Soulshock & Karlin

| length5 = 5:21

| title6 = Kiss and Tell

| writer6 = {{hlist|Gilbert|Baillergeau|Merritt}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|Baillergeau|Merritt}}

| length6 = 4:45

| title7 = Baby Love

| writer7 = {{hlist|N. Gilbert|Baillergeau}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Baillergeau|Merritt}}

| length7 = 4:58

| title8 = Around You

| writer8 = Robin Thicke

| extra8 = {{hlist|Thicke|Gerry Brown{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length8 = 4:50

| title9 = Revenge

| writer9 = {{hlist|Maxwell|Shawn Stockman|Schack|Kenneth Karlin}}

| extra9 = Soulshock & Karlin

| length9 = 4:59

| title10 = All I Do

| writer10 = {{hlist|Christopher A. Stewart|Sean Hall|Derek Sochacki|Bridget Cooper}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Tricky Stewart|S. Hall}}

| length10 = 4:21

| title11 = You Give Good Love

| writer11 = {{hlist|Gilbert|Herb Middleton}}

| extra11 = Middleton

| length11 = 4:57

| title12 = If You Play Your Cards Right

| writer12 = Kevin McCord

| extra12 = {{hlist|Gilbert|Bruce Sterling{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length12 = 4:35

}}

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| headline = Japan bonus track

| title13 = I'm Not Her

| length13 = 4:41

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|a}}}} denotes co-producer

Samples

• "Let's Get It Started" contains a sample from "Dance to the Drummer's Beat" as performed by Herman Kelly and Life.
• "Love Me Like You Do" contains a sample from "A Love of Your Own" as performed by Average White Band.
• "Foolish Pride" contains elements from the recording "La La for Love".

• Keyboards and drum programming: Rodney Jerkins, Soulshock & Karlin, Big Yam & Victor Merritt, Tricky & Sean, Herb Middleton, Robin Thicke
• Guitar: John "Jubu" Smith
• Executive producer: Michael Jackson, Jerry Greenberg, Jono Kahan
• Mastering: Alan Yoshida
• Photography: Albert Sanchez
• Design: Gabrielle Raumberger, Clifford Singontiko

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Category:1997 albums

Category:Brownstone (group) albums

Category:Albums produced by Soulshock and Karlin

Category:Albums produced by Robin Thicke

Category:Albums produced by Rodney Jerkins