Black Diamond (Angie Stone album)

Black Diamond is the debut studio album by American singer Angie Stone. It was released on September 28, 1999, by Arista Records. The album is named after Stone's then-teenaged daughter Diamond Ti'ara.

Critical reception
In his review for Billboard, Michael Paoletta declared the album "a musically rich and empowering journey through life's many ups and downs" that pairs "smooth, mellow grooves [...] with emotion-packed lyrics." He further wrote: "For those lamenting the lack of honest R&B/soul, stop worrying: With Black Diamond, it's back where it belongs." AllMusic editor Theresa E. LaVeck noted that "purposefully positive, the album chronicles Stone's journeys maintaining personal faith and loving relationships, resplendent with new takes on traditional soul sounds. Stone supports her songwriting and vocal talents with help from A-list musicians/writer/producers such as Lenny Kravitz and D'Angelo. The sophisticated mix is elevated by Stone's incredible voice."

Entertainment Weekly's Laura Morgan found that "on her alluring retro-soul bow, the Southern songstress pairs sensual R&B with tastefully lean production, allowing her raw emotion to roam free." Ayana Byrd, writing for Rolling Stone, compared Stone's vocal performance with Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight and remarked that "Stone's Southern country-road sensibilities prevent her from being derivative of her obvious influences; instead, Black Diamond shines with the intensity of brilliant soul." BBC Music critic Daryl Easlea called the album "a fine debut" that proclaims "after years of struggle, Stone's arrival as an artist in her own right." Kerry Potter from Q described Black Diamond as "a low-key album of quietly poetic soul, epitomised by the muffled funk of "Green Grass Vapors." [It] is meandering and over-polished at times, but, in the main, hints at a sparkling future." Exclaim! editor Del F. Cowie complimented the album for its "classy and subdued mood."

Chart performance
Black Diamond debuted at number 144 on the US Billboard 200 in the week of October 16, 1999, with first week sales of 10,000 copies. It was not until February 19, 2000, that it peaked at number 46. Two weeks prior, on February 2, 2000, the album had been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). By September 2003, Black Diamond had sold 812,000 copies in the United States.

Track listing
Notes
 * $undefined$ signifies an additional producer
 * $undefined$ signifies a remixer

Sample credits
 * "No More Rain (In This Cloud)" contains excerpts and samples of "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" by Gladys Knight & the Pips.

Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Black Diamond.

Musicians

 * Angie Stone – vocals
 * Joe Belmaati – programming, musician
 * Rex Rideout – programming, musician
 * Chalmers "Spanky" Alford – musician
 * D'Angelo – musician
 * Iran – musician
 * Jonas Krag – musician
 * Lenny Kravitz – musician
 * Aaron "Freedom" Lyles – musician
 * Ali Shaheed Muhammad – musician
 * Joe Quinde – musician
 * Craig Ross – musician
 * Sekou Aiken – background vocals
 * Stephanie Bolton – background vocals
 * Gerry DeVeaux – background vocals
 * Tenita Jordan Dreher – background vocals
 * Gemini – background vocals
 * Juliet Roberts – background vocals

Technical

 * Angie Stone – production (tracks 1–3, 5, 8, 9, 11–13); recording engineering, mix engineering, executive production
 * Aaron "Freedom" Lyles – production (tracks 3, 8, 9, 11, 12); recording engineering, mix engineering
 * Ali Shaheed Muhammad – production (track 10); recording engineering
 * Russell Elevado – production (track 4)
 * Rex Rideout – production (track 5); engineering assistance
 * Phil Temple – production (track 5)
 * DJ U-Neek – production (track 6)
 * Gerry DeVeaux – production (tracks 7, 14); executive production
 * Cutfather & Joe – remix, additional production (track 7); mix engineering
 * Aaron Connor – recording engineering
 * Tim Donovan – recording engineering, mix engineering
 * Tim Hunt – recording engineering
 * Eli Lishinsky – recording engineering
 * Kevin "K.D." Davis – mix engineering
 * Tony Maserati – mix engineering
 * Mads Nilsson – mix engineering
 * Soul Spin – mix engineering
 * Denise Barbarita – engineering assistance
 * Erik Fryland – engineering assistance
 * Charles McCrorey – engineering assistance
 * Jeff Gregory – engineering assistance
 * Susanne Savage – production coordination
 * Miriam Gonzales – production coordination
 * Jo Jones – production coordination
 * Lesvia Castro – production coordination
 * Coen Antonisse – production coordination
 * Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
 * Peter Edge – executive production

Artwork

 * Margery Greenspan – art direction
 * Sheri G. Lee – art direction, design
 * Ruven Afanador – photography
 * Phil Knott – back cover photography
 * Angie Stone – collage construction
 * Lori Demsey – collage construction