In Return (Shola Ama album)
In Return | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 8 November 1999[1] | |||
Genre | Pop,[2] R&B | |||
Length | 71:18 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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Shola Ama chronology | ||||
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Singles from In Return | ||||
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In Return is the second studio album by British singer Shola Ama. It was released by Freakstreet and WEA on 8 November 1999 in the United Kingdom. The project saw Ama working with several producers, including Fred Jerkins III, Stargate, Shaun Labelle, Soulshock and Karlin, D'Influence and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Co-writers included Angie Stone, Babyface, and David Foster. Two singles were released from the album: "Still Believe" and "Imagine", both reaching the top thirty of the UK Singles Chart.[3]
Despite having support from her record label, In Return underperformed, barely reaching the top 100 in Germany and the UK. Following this, Ama took a break from recording.[4][5]
Critical reception[edit]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Bryan Buss from AllMusic wrote that "sounding like a cross between Janet Jackson and Emilia, but with softer, more girlish, and more developed vocals, Ama's new CD is packed with pop songs perfectly tailored for 2000 [...] She sings with sincerity and conviction, often sounding like a heartbroken angel. With only hints of R&B, this is far more a pop album than anything else, though, despite the sheen, it isn't just for teenagers. This is good, old pop, a throwback to '60s girl groups with a contemporary twist."[2]
UK garage remixes of "Imagine" and "Run to Me" by Club Asylum proved popular in 2000. NME included "Imagine" in their "25 essential UK garage anthems" list.[6] Capital Xtra included "Run to Me" in their list of "The Best Old-School Garage Anthems of All Time".[7]
Track listing[edit]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Still Believe" | Stargate | 4:12 | |
2. | "Imagine" | Jerkins | 4:19 | |
3. | "Deepest Hurt" |
| 4:52 | |
4. | "Lovely Affair" | Muhammad | 4:06 | |
5. | "Run to Me" |
|
| 4:03 |
6. | "My Heart" |
| LaBelle | 4:39 |
7. | "Everything" |
| Waller | 4:26 |
8. | "Can't Have You" |
| Jerkins | 3:56 |
9. | "This Time Next Year" | D'Influence | 4:20 | |
10. | "Surrender" |
|
| 5:08 |
11. | "That Thing" |
|
| 4:24 |
12. | "In Return" |
| Spalter | 4:26 |
13. | "He Don't Know" |
| LaBelle | 3:58 |
14. | "Queen for a Day" |
| Stargate | 3:37 |
15. | "Superficial Fantasy" |
|
| 6:43 |
16. | "Can't Go On" | Soulshock and Karlin | 4:09 | |
Total length: | 71:18 |
Charts[edit]
Chart (1999) | Peak position |
---|---|
French Albums (SNEP)[8] | 57 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[9] | 97 |
UK Albums (OCC)[10] | 92 |
Release history[edit]
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 8 November 1999 |
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References[edit]
- ^ "Billboard" (PDF). Billboard. 16 October 1999. p. 89. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Buss, Bryan. "In Return". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ "SHOLA AMA | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
- ^ "Ama ruined by cocaine". 21 July 2004. Archived from the original on 1 July 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
- ^ "R&B singer tells of cocaine fight". BBC News. 20 July 2004. Archived from the original on 9 February 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
- ^ "The best UK garage tracks of all time". NME. 16 September 2019.
- ^ "The Dumb Old-School Garage Anthems Of All Time". Capital XTRA.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Shola Ama – In Return". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Shola Ama – In Return" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
- ^ "Shola Ama | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
- ^ Kwaku (16 October 1999). "R&B Scene Percolates In The UK". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2020.