Individuality (Can I Be Me?)

Individuality (Can I Be Me?) is the third studio album by American vocalist Rachelle Ferrell. It was released on August 15, 2000, through Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at Le Gonks West and Andora Recording Studio in Los Angeles, at The Blue Room in Philadelphia, and at O'Henry Sound Studios in Burbank. All songs overdubbed and mixed by Erik Zobler at Le Gonks West, a studio owned by George Duke, who served as producer of the album. It features guest appearances from Jonathan Butler and Russ Barnes.

The album peaked at number 71 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, at number 16 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at number 1 on the Jazz Albums chart in the United States. Individuality (Can I Be Me?) spawned two singles: "Satisfied" and "I Forgive You". Both singles made it to the Adult R&B Songs chart, reaching #11 and #13 respectively.

In 2001, Ferrell appeared on an episode of Emeril Live, performing songs from Individuality with her brother, a backup singer, while Emeril prepared dishes for a jazz brunch.

Release
In the June 3, 2000, issue, Billboard reported that the album would be released by Capitol on August 15.

Critical reception
Writing for Out, critic Jolyon Helterman compared Ferrell to Nina Simone and called the album "just the dark, rich, brooding sound you want in the background during a candlelit dinner".

Personnel

 * Rachelle Ferrell – vocals, lyrics, producer (track 3), executive producer
 * Jonathan Butler – vocals, guitar (track 7)
 * Russ Barnes – vocals (track 9), backing vocals (tracks: 1, 6)
 * Kenny Lattimore – backing vocals (tracks: 1, 6)
 * Jef Lee Johnson – lyrics (track 1), guitar (tracks: 1–6, 8, 9, 11) , bass & keyboards (tracks: 1, 3) , producer (track 3) , recording (tracks: 1, 3)
 * George Duke – keyboards (tracks: 2–11), keyboard bass & guitar (tracks: 1, 3) , producer (tracks: 1, 2, 4–11)
 * Tony Maiden – guitar (track 11)
 * Byron Lee Miller – bass (tracks: 4–6, 8, 11)
 * John "Lil' John" Roberts – drums (tracks: 1–3, 9, 10)
 * Ricardo Jordan – drums (tracks: 4–7, 11)
 * Lenny Castro – percussion (tracks: 4–6, 8, 9)
 * Technical
 * Erik Zobler – recording (tracks: 2, 4–11), mixing
 * Wayne Holmes – assistant engineering
 * Rob Brill – assistant engineering (tracks: 4–6, 8)
 * Bryan Jackson – assistant engineering (tracks: 4–6, 8)
 * James Stone – assistant engineering (track 11)
 * Tommy Steele – art direction
 * Norman Moore – design
 * Ann Smalley – design
 * Beth Herzhaft – photography
 * Corine Duke – production coordinator
 * Kent Blackwelder Management – management