Acoustic Soul

Acoustic Soul
Acoustic Soul
Studio album by India Arie
Released	March 27, 2001
Recorded	2000–2001
Studio	Electric Lady, New York City; Sound Kitchen, Franklin, Tennessee; Music Mill, Nashville, Tennessee; Access, Atlanta; Blues House; New Reflections, Nashville, Tennessee; The Studio, Philadelphia; Worldbeat; Battery, New York City;
Genre	R&B
Length	61:18
Label	Motown
Producer	India Arie; Mark Batson; Carlos "6 July" Broady; Blue Miller; Bob Power;
India Arie chronology
Singles from Acoustic Soul
	"Video"; Released: February 6, 2001; "Brown Skin"; Released: 2001; "Strength, Courage & Wisdom"; Released: 2001; "Ready for Love"; Released: 2002;

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[1]
Billboard	Favorable^[2]
Entertainment Weekly	A^[3]
The Independent	Favorable^[4]
Mixmag	^[5]
Muzik	^[6]
NME	9/10^[7]
PopMatters	Favorable^[8]
Q	^[6]
Rolling Stone	^[9]
USA Today	^[10]
The Village Voice	Mixed^[11]

Acoustic Soul is the debut studio album by American singer India Arie. It was released on March 27, 2001, by Motown. The album received seven nominations at the 44th Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best R&B Album. Acoustic Soul was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 17, 2003, denoting shipments in excess of two million copies in the United States.^[12]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro"	India Arie		0:50
2.	"Video"	Arie Shannon Sanders Carlos Broady	Carlos "6 July" Broady Arie	4:09
3.	"Promises"	Arie Blue Miller	Miller Arie	4:37
4.	"Brown Skin"	Arie Sanders Mark Batson	Batson Arie	4:56
5.	"Strength, Courage & Wisdom"	Arie	Batson Arie	4:57
6.	"Nature"	Arie Batson	Batson Arie	4:24
7.	"Back to the Middle"	Arie Miller	Miller Arie	5:11
8.	"Ready for Love"	Arie Miller	Miller Arie	4:28
9.	"Interlude"	Arie		1:24
10.	"Always in My Head"	Arie Miller	Bob Power Arie	4:40
11.	"I See God in You"	Arie	Broady Arie	3:17
12.	"Simple"	Arie The Unit Batson	Batson Arie	3:26
13.	"Part of My Life"	Tony Harrington	Batson Arie	4:03
14.	"Beautiful"	Arie Kerisha Hicks Miller	Miller Arie	4:06
15.	"Outro"	Arie		1:17
16.	"Wonderful (Stevie Wonder Dedication)" (bonus track)	Arie Cornelius Barnes Batson	Batson Arie	5:30

Japanese edition bonus track
No.	Title	Length
17.	"Butterfly"	4:07

UK edition bonus tracks
No.	Title	Length
17.	"Strength, Courage & Wisdom" (live)	5:57
18.	"Brown Skin" (Bedroom Rockers Remix)	3:36

Special edition bonus disc
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Video" (DJ Dodge Remix)
2.	"Video" (Urban Wolves/Dream Team Remix (featuring Super Cat))
3.	"Brown Skin" (Bedroom Rockers Radio Remix)
4.	"Brown Skin" (E-London Club Remix)
5.	"Brown Skin" (Mind Trap Mix)
6.	"Strength, Courage & Wisdom" (Remix)
7.	"Strength, Courage & Wisdom" (live from Paradiso)

Sample credits

"Video" contains an interpolation of "Fun" by Brick.
"Nature" contains an interpolation of "Quiet Storm" by Mobb Deep.

Personnel

Musicians

India Arie – vocals, acoustic guitar
Mark Batson – organ, synthesizer, bass, percussion, drums, keyboards, programming, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes
Carlos "6 July" Broady – programming
John Catchings – cello
Larry Goldings – organ, Wurlitzer, string contractor
Steve Grossman – percussion, drums
Tony Harrell – keyboards
Kerisha Hicks – background vocals
Judeth Insel – viola
Avery Johnson – bass
Bashiri Johnson – percussion
Doug Kahan – bass
Terry MacMillan – percussion
Blue Miller – acoustic guitar, guitar, electric guitar, programming, vocals, background vocals
Bob Power – bass, guitar, conductor, programming
Marlene Rice – violin
Ralph Rolle – drums
Joyce Simpson – background vocals
David Spak – percussion
Laurneá Wilkerson – background vocals
Nioka Workman – cello

Technical

Producers: India Arie, Mark Batson, Carlos "6 July" Broady, Blue Miller, Bob Power
Executive producer: Kedar Massenburg
Engineers: Kevin Haywood, Avery Johnson, Jim Lightman, Blue Miller, Mark Niemiec, Bob Power, Lovis Scalise, Mike Tocci
Mixing: Kevin Haywood, George Karras, Jim Lightman, Chris Mazer, Blue Miller, Bob Power, Mike Shipley, Alvin Speights, Dave Way
Mastering: Chris Athens
Programming: Mark Batson
Assistant producer: Jason Breckling
String arrangements: Mark Batson
String engineer: Jon Smeltz
Creative director: Sandy Brummels
Product manager: Liz Loblack
Art direction: Annalee Valencia
Design: Annalee Valencia
Photography: Kwaku Alston, Michael Benabib

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001–02)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[13]	36
Australian Urban Albums (ARIA)^[14]	4
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[15]	48
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[16]	50
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[17]	19
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[18]	43
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)^[19]	85
UK Albums (OCC)^[20]	55
UK R&B Albums (OCC)^[21]	10
US Billboard 200^[22]	10
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[23]	3

Year-end charts

Chart (2001)	Position
US Billboard 200^[24]	97
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[25]	39

Chart (2002)	Position
Australian Urban Albums (ARIA)^[26]	19

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
South Africa (RiSA)^[27]	Gold	25,000*
United States (RIAA)^[12]	2× Platinum	1,860,000^[28]
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format
United States	March 27, 2001	CD
United Kingdom	October 22, 2001
Japan	December 11, 2001
United States	July 17, 2007	CD (special edition)

Notes

^ Tracks 1, 5, 9 and 15
^ Track 2
^ Tracks 3 and 7
^ Tracks 4–6, 12, 13 and 16
^ Tracks 7, 8 and 14; vocals on track 11
^ Tracks 8 and 11
^ Strings on track 10
^ ^a ^b Track 10

References

^ Duffy, John. "Acoustic Soul – India.Arie". AllMusic. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.
^ Hall, Rashaun. "India.Arie: Acoustic Soul". Billboard: 19. March 31, 2001.
^ "Acoustic Soul Review". Entertainment Weekly. March 30, 2001. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.
^ [1]^{[dead link]}
^ "India.Arie: Acoustic Soul". Mixmag: 179. June 2001.
^ ^a ^b "India Arie – Acoustic Soul CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
^ Evans, Diana (2001-04-05). "Album Reviews – India.Arie : Acoustic Soul". NME. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.
^ Bottomley, Maurice (2001-03-26). "India.Arie: Acoustic Soul". PopMatters. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.
^ Masuo, Sandy (June 5, 2001). "India.Arie: Acoustic Soul : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
^ "Old 97's No. 5; generic Sasha; 'Acoustic' India". USA Today: D.10. March 27, 2001.
^ Green, Tony (2001-07-03). "Who Isn't Jill Scott?". The Village Voice. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.
^ ^a ^b "American album certifications – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Recording Industry Association of America. December 17, 2003.
^ "Australiancharts.com – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 4th March 2002" (PDF). The ARIA Report (627): 19. March 4, 2002. Retrieved January 24, 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "Charts.nz – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "Swisscharts.com – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "India.Arie Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "India.Arie Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Urban Albums 2002". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^ "Mi2N: Music Divas & Rock Bands Top South African Certifications". Music Industry News Network. May 2, 2002. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
^ "Best of Next". Vibe. Vol. 11, no. 9. September 2003. p. 168. ISSN 1070-4701 – via Google Books.

External links

[1] Tracks 1, 5, 9 and 15

[2] Track 2

[3] Tracks 3 and 7

[4] Tracks 4–6, 12, 13 and 16

[5] Tracks 7, 8 and 14; vocals on track 11

[6] Tracks 8 and 11

[7] Strings on track 10

[Track_10-8] Track 10

[9] Duffy, John. "Acoustic Soul – India.Arie". AllMusic. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.

[10] Hall, Rashaun. "India.Arie: Acoustic Soul". Billboard: 19. March 31, 2001.

[11] "Acoustic Soul Review". Entertainment Weekly. March 30, 2001. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.

[12] [1]^{[dead link]}

[13] "India.Arie: Acoustic Soul". Mixmag: 179. June 2001.

[cduniverse-14] "India Arie – Acoustic Soul CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved July 28, 2013.

[15] Evans, Diana (2001-04-05). "Album Reviews – India.Arie : Acoustic Soul". NME. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.

[16] Bottomley, Maurice (2001-03-26). "India.Arie: Acoustic Soul". PopMatters. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.

[17] Masuo, Sandy (June 5, 2001). "India.Arie: Acoustic Soul : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2013.

[18] "Old 97's No. 5; generic Sasha; 'Acoustic' India". USA Today: D.10. March 27, 2001.

[19] Green, Tony (2001-07-03). "Who Isn't Jill Scott?". The Village Voice. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.

[RIAA-20] "American album certifications – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Recording Industry Association of America. December 17, 2003.

[ac_Australia_India.Arie-21] "Australiancharts.com – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[22] "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 4th March 2002" (PDF). The ARIA Report (627): 19. March 4, 2002. Retrieved January 24, 2020 – via National Library of Australia.

[ac_Netherlands_India.Arie-23] "Dutchcharts.nl – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[ac_Germany4_India.Arie-24] "Offiziellecharts.de – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[ac_New_Zealand_India.Arie-25] "Charts.nz – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[ac_Sweden_India.Arie-26] "Swedishcharts.com – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[ac_Switzerland_India.Arie-27] "Swisscharts.com – India.Arie – Acoustic Soul". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[ac_UK2_-28] "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[ac_UKR&B_-29] "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[ac_Billboard200_India.Arie-30] "India.Arie Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[ac_BillboardRandBHipHop_India.Arie-31] "India.Arie Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[32] "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[33] "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[34] "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Urban Albums 2002". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 1, 2019.

[35] "Mi2N: Music Divas & Rock Bands Top South African Certifications". Music Industry News Network. May 2, 2002. Retrieved August 26, 2019.

[36] "Best of Next". Vibe. Vol. 11, no. 9. September 2003. p. 168. ISSN 1070-4701 – via Google Books.

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v t e India Arie
Discography
Albums	Acoustic Soul (2001) Voyage to India (2002) Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship (2006) Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics (2009) Songversation (2013) Christmas with Friends (2015)
Singles	"Video" "Peaceful World" "Brown Skin" "Little Things" "I Am Not My Hair" "The Heart of the Matter" "Words" "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"