King of Stage

King of Stage
Studio album by
Bobby Brown
ReleasedNovember 10, 1986
Genre
Length42:29
LabelMCA
ProducerLarry Blackmon
John Luongo
Bobby Brown chronology
King of Stage
(1986) 		Don't Be Cruel
(1988)
Singles from King of Stage
  1. "Girlfriend"
    Released: October 27, 1986
  2. "Girl Next Door"
    Released: February 9, 1987
  3. "Seventeen"
    Released: July 6, 1987

King of Stage is the debut solo album by American R&B singer Bobby Brown.[1][2] Following his exit from New Edition, and at 16, Brown signed a solo deal with the group's label MCA Records, which had earlier promised Brown a solo deal if he decided to leave New Edition. His first solo album was released in 1986.

The album spawned the singles "Girlfriend", "Seventeen", and "Girl Next Door". None of the singles were major US Hot 100 hits, however, Brown had a number-one R&B hit with the first single, the ballad, "Girlfriend".[3][4]

Production

The album was produced by Larry Blackmon and John Luongo; Brown and Luongo produced the title track.[5][6] Brown was unhappy with the production, and elected to go with proven producers for his next album.[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[8]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[5]

AllMusic wrote that "as enjoyable as the Blackmon-produced tracks are, top honors must go to 'Seventeen' -- a riveting account of a teenage mother who turns to drugs and prostitution -- and the unapologetically sentimental, '70s-like soul ballad 'Girlfriend'."[7] The Los Angeles Times called the album "an ill-conceived mess" marked by a "lack of focus, inconsistent production and mostly inferior material."[9] The Boston Globe deemed it "a versatile blend of street funk, rap and ballads."[10]

Track listing

  1. "Girlfriend" – 6:16 (Kirk Crumpler, Lee Peters, Larry White)
  2. "Girl Next Door" – 4:08 (Melvin Wells)
  3. "Baby, I Wanna Tell You Something" – 3:47 (Larry Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins, Nathan Leftenant)
  4. "You Ain't Been Loved Right" – 5:07 (Michael Lovesmith)
  5. "King of Stage" – 5:07 (John Luongo, Khris Kellow, Doctor Ice)
  6. "Love Obsession" – 4:43 (Steve Lindley, Richard Nuttal, Ian Legall)
  7. "Spending Time" – 3:58 (Allen N. Jones)
  8. "Seventeen" – 4:17 (Robert Brookins, Tony Haynes)
  9. "Your Tender Romance" – (Paul Jackson Jr., Tony Haynes) 5:10

Personnel

  • Bobby Brown: Main vocals
  • Lee Peters, Olie Bowlds, Richard Aquon, Allyson Williams, Tomi Jenkins, Marlena Jeter, Marva King, Angel Eve, Lance "Romance" Matthews, Scopin Scott, Smooth Bee, Victor Lee-Love, Debbie Kole, Jilliann, Willie Morris, Lena Seinday, Sue Ann, Mont Seward: Backing vocals
  • Paul Jackson Jr.: Guitars, keyboards, bass
  • Melvin Wells: Guitars, keyboards
  • Larry White: Guitars, keyboards, bass, percussion, backing vocals
  • Kevin Choken, Emilio Conesa: Guitars
  • Robert Brookins, Khris Kellow, Michael Lovesmith, Grady Wilkins: Keyboards, backing vocals
  • Roland Ramos: Percussion
  • Maurice Bailey: Scratching
  • Melicio "The Cat" Magdaluyo: Saxophone

Charts

Chart performance for King of Stage
Chart (1986) Peak
position
US Billboard Top Pop Albums[11] 88
US Billboard Top R&B Albums[12] 12

Singles

Chart performance for singles from King of Stage
Year Single Chart positions
US
Pop 		US
Soul
1986 "Girlfriend" 57 1
1987 "Girl Next Door" — 31
"Seventeen" — —

References

  1. ^ a b "How Cruel Can Fame Be, Bobby Brown? : R&B; singer says his marriage to Whitney Houston has stabilized his life and enabled him to better handle the pressures that accompany star status". Los Angeles Times. September 27, 1992.
  2. ^ "Bobby Brown | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Heim, Chris. "Bobby Brown, Elvis 'Stylists' and Pop Terminology". chicagotribune.com.
  4. ^ "You Say It's Your Birthday: Bobby Brown". MTV News.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 83.
  6. ^ Burn, Robyn (6 Feb 1987). "Singer Looks to Grow with His Advance". Sun-Sentinel: 42.
  7. ^ a b Henderson, Alex. Bobby Brown: King Of Stage > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  8. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 873.
  9. ^ Hunt, Dennis (20 Nov 1988). "Bobby Brown-Life After New Edition More Mature and Happy Being Himself". Los Angeles Times: 81.
  10. ^ Morse, Steve (25 Nov 1986). "ROXBURY TO TOP 20: BOBBY BROWN SOARS". The Boston Globe: 33.
  11. ^ "Bobby Brown". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Bobby Brown". Billboard.