The Return (Ruben Studdard album)

The Return is the third studio album by American R&B artist Ruben Studdard. It was released on October 17, 2006, by J Records. A return to the R&B sounds of his debut album Soulful (2003), following his 2004 release, the gospel album I Need an Angel, Studdard reteamed with production duo The Underdogs and producer Harold Lilly to work on the album, while additional production was provided by Jim Jonsin, James Poyser, Steve Russell, and Stargate, among others.

The album was met with mixed reviews from critics who complained about the production and Studdard's performance but enjoyed his voice. The Return debuted and peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard 200 with first week sales of 71,000 copies. It was preceded by lead single "Change Me", which was released on July 31, 2006 and became his second number one hit on the US Adult R&B Songs chart. The Return would become Studdard's final album with J Records, after departing the label in 2007.

Critical reception
The album received mixed reviews from music critics. AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found Studdard's performance throughout the album to be lazy with no melodies guiding him, concluding that "when combined with the dull productions, the results are deadly boring." About.com's Mark Edward Nero was also critical of Studdard's voice, saying that it had "no potency much of the time and almost sounds as generic as the vocals that accompany elevator music."

Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly was more positive, saying that "The production's bland, but his sweet singing carries the day." Chuck Arnold and Ralph Novak from People found that the "plus-size smoothie brings the most emotional heft to slow jams that show off his sensitive side, such as the first single "Change Me" and the Luther-like "Rather Just Not Know." But the hip-hop-tinged tracks fail to keep pace, especially when Studdard tries to get studly on the pseudo-thuggish "To Da Crib." R. Kelly he's not."

Commercial performance
The album debuted and peaked at number eight in the Billboard 200, with 71,000 copies sold in its first week of release. It also reached number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In March 2009, Billboard reported that the album had sold 238,000 copies by then.

Controversy
Sony Music was accused of the unauthorized use of Louis Vuitton's copyrighted Toile as part of the disc's design. An undisclosed settlement was reached between Sony and LVMH, the parent company of Louis Vuitton.

Track listing
Notes Sample credits
 * undefined signifies a co-producer
 * "Change Me", features additional background vocals by Steve Russell and Tank.
 * "Get U Loose", features additional background vocals by Steve Russell and Tank.
 * "Ain't No Party", features additional background vocals by Mocha.
 * "The Return (Of the Velvet Teddy Bear)" samples "You're The Reason Why" as performed by The Ebonys.
 * "Listen to Ya Heart" contains a portion of "Foe tha Love of $" as performed by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony featuring Eazy-E.

Personnel
Adapted from The Return liner notes.


 * Chris Gehringer: mastering (Sterling Sound, NYC)
 * Anita Marisa Boriboon: art direction and design
 * Christian Lantry: photographer
 * Vincent "VJ" Lake: stylist
 * Mylah Morales: grooming
 * Chris LeBeau: photoshoot production
 * Bre Scullark: cover model