Precious (Chanté Moore album)

Precious is the debut studio album by American singer Chanté Moore. It was released by Silas Records and MCA Records on September 29, 1992, in the United States. The track "Candlelight and You" first appeared on the soundtrack to the 1991 film House Party 2, starring Kid 'N Play. The album featured production from Simon Law, Bebe Winans, George Duke, among others.

The album peaked at number 101 on the US Billboard 200 on March 20, 1993. It also reached number 20 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Despite its low charting, Precious  was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) the on November 14, 1994. It was preceded by the release of the singles "Love's Taken Over" and "It's Alright". Two further singles were subsequently released from the album, "Who Do I Turn to" and "As If We Never Met".

Promotion
Silas Records issued several singles in support of the album. "Love's Taken Over" was released as Precious's lead single on July 28, 1992. The song peaked at number eighty-six and number thirteen on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, respectively. A second single, "It's Alright," failed to make impact on the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number thirteen on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Two further singles were subsequently released from the album, including "Who Do I Turn to" and "As If We Never Met," though only the former managed to chart.

Critical reception
Rolling Stone's Michael Eric Dyson wrote that on Precious, "ranging from the exhilarating stride she measures on the title track to the infectious groove of "Who Do I Turn To," Moore explores the sweet entanglements of contemporary love with a supple soprano that floats over and into songs [...] Moore's superb singing and writing will unquestionably win her a satisfied audience." Billboard described the album as "a collection of soul-satisfying, jazz-inflected tunes" and further noted that the "singer's light but supple soprano floats like a breeze but delivers maximum emotional intensity." AllMusic rated the album three out of five stars.

Chart performance
Precious first debuted on Billboard's US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the week of October 24, 1992. It spent 61 weeks on the chart and eventually peaked at number 20 on the March 20, 1993. The same week, the album also peaked at number 101 on the US Billboard 200, having previously debuted on January 30, 1993. On November 14, 1994, Precious was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments figures in excess of 500,000 copies.