Set the Tone (Nate James album)
Set the Tone | |
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Studio album by | |
Released | 8 August 2005 |
Genre | |
Label | Universal |
Producer |
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Singles from Set the Tone | |
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Set the Tone is the debut studio album by American-British soul singer Nate James, released on 8 August 2005, by Universal Music Group.
Critical reception
[edit]Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
The Independent | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Reception to the album was largely mixed. Andy Gill of The Independent rated the album three stars out of five, appreciating its modern R&B style that echoes 1970s funk. He notes that the album's sound is reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's work, although it lacks meaningful messages, focusing instead on typical themes of dancing and romantic skirmishes. Though he found the album "slick" and "engaging", he felt that it failed to present "big ideas that move hearts and minds."[1]
Tony Heywood of MusicOMH felt that the album fell short of delivering authentic soul music, arguing that James's rural background disconnects him from the urban experiences and political issues essential to the genre. He described the album as "watered down Jamiroquai, third-hand Stevie Wonder, completely anonymous flat pack soul", and felt that it lacks wit, boldness, and passion. Heywood described the album as "crushingly dull" and compared it unfavorably to other British artists such as Justin Timberlake, Craig David, Roots Manuva, and Dizzee Rascal.[2]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Said I'd Show You" |
| Peter-John Vettese | 4:34 |
2. | "The Message" |
| Vettese | 3:22 |
3. | "Get This Right" |
| Vettese | 3:56 |
4. | "Pretend" |
| Jaz Rogers | 4:24 |
5. | "Universal" |
| White | 3:38 |
6. | "Set the Tone" |
| Brant | 3:31 |
7. | "Funky Love" (featuring Carmen Reece) |
| Brant | 4:05 |
8. | "Justify Me" |
| Vettese | 3:41 |
9. | "I Don't Wanna Fight" |
| Brant | 3:49 |
10. | "I'll Decline" (featuring Dawn Robinson) |
| Vettese | 3:40 |
11. | "Impossible" |
| Brant | 3:27 |
12. | "Can't Stop" |
| Brant | 3:49 |
13. | "Shake Out" |
| Vettese | 5:39 |
14. | "Still On My Own" (Sway featuring Nate James) | Sway | Shux | 3:50 |
Charts
[edit]Chart (2005) | Peak position |
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French Albums (SNEP)[3] | 68 |
Italian Albums (FIMI)[4] | 43 |
UK Albums (OCC)[5] | 96 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[6] | 33 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[7] | 39 |
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format(s) | Edition(s) | Label |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 8 August 2005 |
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Standard edition | Island Records |
Japan | 13 February 2006 | |||
United Kingdom | 12 June 2006 | Reissue |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Gill, Andy (5 August 2005). "Album: Nate James". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Heywood, Tony (8 August 2005). "Nate James – Set The Tone". MusicOMH. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Nate James – Set the Tone". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Nate James – Set the Tone". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ "Nate James | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 October 2020.