Sparkle (Sparkle album)

Sparkle is the 1998 debut album by American singer Sparkle. It was released on May 19, 1998, through Rockland Records and was entirely produced by her former mentor R. Kelly. The album was a success in large part to the Sparkle–R. Kelly duet lead single "Be Careful", which peaked at number three on the US Rhythmic Top 40 and topped the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. The album itself peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA on December 7, 2000.

Further singles "Time to Move On" and "Lovin' You" were also released as singles, but did not make any Billboard charts.

Critical reception
Entertainment Weekly gave the album a grade of B+, writing: "Unlike her wannabe-diva peers, this R. Kelly protegee remembers what the 'B' in R&B stands for....R. Kelly surrounds her with blaxploitation-vintage wah-wah guitars, haunting strings, and blue-collar blues; the resulting soul digs far deeper than Kelly's usual bump'n' grind".

Track listing
All track written, produced and arranged by R. Kelly.

Samples
 * "Time to Move On" samples from "Intimate Friends" by Eddie Kendricks.
 * "Lovin' You" is a cover of "Loving You" by Minnie Riperton.
 * "Good Life" samples from "Good Times" by Chic.

Credits

 * Jason Bacher – assistant engineer
 * Percy Bady – keyboards
 * Rick Behrens – assistant engineer, engineer, mixing assistant
 * Chris Brickley – assistant engineer, engineer, mixing assistant, programming
 * Cam'ron – rap vocals
 * Lafayette Carthon, Jr. – keyboards
 * Trey Fratt – assistant engineer
 * Stephen George – engineer, mixing, programming
 * Keith Henderson – guitar
 * Cynthia Jernigan – backing vocals
 * Mark Johnson – mixing assistant
 * R. Kelly – arranger, executive producer, mixing, producer, vocals
 * Jeff Lane – mixing assistant
 * Ron Lowe – assistant engineer, engineer, mixing assistant
 * Mr. Lee – mixing, programming
 * Peter Mokran – head engineer, mixing, programmer
 * Nature – rap vocals
 * Joshua Shapera – engineer
 * Sparkle – vocals
 * Martin Stebbing – engineer, programming
 * Ed Tinley – assistant engineer
 * Poke & Tone – mixing
 * Jeff Vereb – assistant engineer, mixing assistant