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Friends & Lovers (Marsha Ambrosius album)

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Friends & Lovers is the second studio album by English R&B recording artist Marsha Ambrosius. The album was released on July 15, 2014, by RCA Records.[1] The album features guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Dr. Dre, Skye Edwards and Lindsey Stirling. On June 23, 2014, the album's first and second singles "Run" and "Stronger" featuring Dr. Dre, were released.[2][3]

Background

In March 2014, in an interview with Singersroom, Marsha Ambrosius spoke about the album, saying: "Just the new album, Friends & Lovers, that’s my baby, well baby number 2. I feel like I’m definitely pregnant with the little one, which is the second album. And it’s absolutely; it just feel crazy this time around because it’s real. The first time around was like, let me get the album out, let’s make sure the album is right, let me do what I need to do and I did that to myself. I put all of the things I need to do on the album with the last album. But, the second album is more concentrated, it’s very conceptual. I enjoy being absolutely single with some friends and lovers."[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Spin7/10[6]
USA Today[7]

Friends & Lovers was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Martín Caballero of USA Today said, "The ex-Floetry singer has never matched the sales success of peers such as Alicia Keys or Mary J. Blige, but her appeal matches them on this strong effort as she moves nimbly between refined maturity and raw sexual power."[7] Anupa Mistry of Spin stated, "Like the cover of Portishead's "Sour Times" on Late Nights, a do-over anchors Friends & Lovers: Sade's "Stronger Than Pride," featuring a brawny verse from Dr. Dre, and set to the stark drip of DJ Premier's beat for Jeru the Damaja's "Come Clean." She might have taken the rap bonafides a bit too far with "Stronger" – especially considering she's respected enough to cover Sade – but much of the rest of Friends & Lovers is grown and sexy cool."[6] Andy Kellman of AllMusic said, "Had it not been for fellow English singer Adele's 21, Late Nights & Early Mornings would have topped the Billboard 200 the week after its 2011 release date. Marsha Ambrosius' solo debut had staying power, too. One of its singles, "Far Away," was nominated for two Grammy Awards. While she continued to make occasional guest appearances, highlighted by spots on Robert Glasper Experiment's "Trust" and Daley's "Alone Together," Ambrosius took her time with Friends & Lovers. In a good way, it shows, as it contains another sizable volume of impeccable—sometimes explicit—slow jams."[5]

Ambrosius received two MOBO Award nominations for the album.[8]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 17,200 copies in the United States.[9] In its second week, the album dropped to number 45 on the Billboard 200, selling 7,000 copies, bringing its total album sales to 24,000 copies.[10]

Track listing

  • Songwriting and production credits adapted from liner notes.[11]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Friends & Lovers Intro"Marsha AmbrosiusDwayne "Dem Jointz" Abernathy1:13
2."So Good"Ambrosius, Stacy Barthe, Marcos Palacios, Ernest Clark, Kevin Randolph, Tony RussellDa Internz5:14
3."Night Time"Ambrosius, Sam Dew, Kenneth Bartolomei, Erik Reyes-Ortiz, Kevin CroweJ.U.S.T.I.C.E. League3:37
4."69"Ambrosius, Palacios, Clark, Randolph, Russell, Luther Campbell, David Hobbs, Mark Ross, Christopher WongwonDa Internz4:40
5."Shoes"Ambrosius, Eric Hudson, Andrew "Hit Drew" CliftonHudson, Clifton (add.)4:33
6."How Much More (Interlude)"AmbrosiusDa Internz0:53
7."Stronger" (featuring Dr. Dre)Sade Adu, Kendrick Davis, Andrew Hale, Kirk Jones, Chris Martin, Stuart Matthewman, Fred Scruggs, Jr., Tyrone Taylor, Shelly Manne, Quentin TarantinoAmbrosius, Dr. Dre (co.)5:25
8."You & I"Ambrosius, Sterling Simms, Warren "Oak" Felder, Andrew "Pop" Wansel, Morris StewartFelder, Wansel4:58
9."La La La La La"Ambrosius, Hudson, Clifton, Barthe, Minnie Riperton, Richard RudolphHudson, Clifton (add.)3:47
10."Cupid (Shot Me Straight Through My Heart)"Ambrosius, Marcus White, Ken GoldSeige Monstracity3:55
11."Kiss & Fuck (Interlude)"AmbrosiusDa Internz1:17
12."Love"Ambrosius, Jamie ScottScott4:39
13."Run"Ambrosius, Dillon Pace, Jenna AndrewsAmbrosius, Outer Earth3:47
14."Spend All My Time" (featuring Charlie Wilson)Ambrosius, Hudson, Clifton, Marvin-Paul AmbrosiusHudson, Clifton (add.)4:56
15."OMG I Miss You"Ambrosius, Palacios, Clark, Randolph, Mark PellizerDa Internz4:30
16."Streets of London" (featuring Skye Edwards & Lindsey Stirling)Ambrosius, Wansel, Ronald "Flippa" Colston, Jameel RobertsAmbrosius, Wansel, Colston, Roberts2:55
Total length:60:20
Target deluxe edition bonus tracks[12]
No.TitleLength
17."Some Things (interlude)" 
18."Every Now & Again" 
19."Honey Pot" 

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[13] 12
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[14] 2

References

  1. ^ "iTunes - Music - Friends & Lovers by Marsha Ambrosius". Itunes.apple.com. 1977-08-08. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
  2. ^ "Run: Marsha Ambrosius: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
  3. ^ "Stronger [Explicit]: Marsha Ambrosius feat. Dr. Dre: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
  4. ^ "Marsha Ambrosius Talks No Pressure, Friends & Lovers, Grammy Recognition, Floetry, More". Singersroom. 2013-03-12. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
  5. ^ a b Andy Kellman (2014-07-15). "Friends & Lovers - Marsha Ambrosius". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  6. ^ a b Mistry, Anupa (2014-07-15). "Marsha Ambrosius, 'Friends & Lovers' Review". Spin.com. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
  7. ^ a b "Listen Up: Bleachers, Morrissey, Marsha Ambrosius". Usatoday.com. 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
  8. ^ "Mobo Awards 2014 nominations: Sam Smith and Krept and Konan lead pack". The Independent. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  9. ^ Tardio, Andres (2014-07-23). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Weird Al Yankovic, Trey Songz, Iggy Azalea, Marsha Ambrosius". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  10. ^ Tardio, Andres. "Hip Hop Album Sales: Common, Trey Songz, Iggy Azalea". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  11. ^ Marsha Ambrosius - Friends & Lovers (Explicit version - CD liner notes). RCA Records. 88765 44213
  12. ^ "Marsha Ambrosius - Friends & Lovers". Target. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
  13. ^ "Marsha Ambrosius Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  14. ^ "Marsha Ambrosius Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
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