Brand New Heavies (album)

''The Brand New Heavies'' is the debut album by British acid jazz group The Brand New Heavies. The album was originally released on 16 April 1990 on Acid Jazz Records. The album was reissued in 1991, featuring vocals by new group member N'Dea Davenport.

Following the reissue, the album became more successful than its original release, debuting on the UK Albums Chart at number twenty-five and earning a silver-certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The album spawned six singles: "People Get Ready", "Dream Come True", " Never Stop", "Dream Come True '92", " Don't Let It Go to Your Head", and "Stay this Way '92"; the latter three of which peaked in the Top 40 on the UK Singles Chart.

Release and promotion

On 16 April 1990, ''The Brand New Heavies'' was released exclusively in the United Kingdom on Acid Jazz Records. Shortly after the release of the album, the group's lead vocalist Jaye Ella Ruth departed from the group and was replaced with American singer N'Dea Davenport. In March 1991, the group reissued the album in North America on Delicious Vinyl Records. The North American version featured an additional song titled "Never Stop". To promote the album, The Brand New Heavies appeared on various television shows from 1991 until late 1992. On 19 October 1991, The Brand New Heavies performed "Stay this Way" on American musical variety television show ''Soul Train''. On November 9, 1991, the group performed " Never Stop" and "Stay this Way" on ''Showtime at the Apollo''.

On 20 February 1992, the group performed "Dream Come True" on British music chart television programme ''Top of the Pops''. On 2 March 1992, ''The Brand New Heavies'' was released internationally on Full Frequency Range Recordings (FFRR). The international version omitted the song "Shake Down" and included two new songs: "Got to Give" and a cover version of " Don't Let It Go to Your Head". An expanded edition of the album was released on BGP Records in 2007.

Singles

In 1989, The Brand New Heavies released the single "People Get Ready", which failed to chart. "Dream Come True" was released as the album's second single on 13 August 1990. The song peaked at number sixty-three on the US Hot R&B Singles chart.

"Never Stop" was released as the first international single and third overall single from ''The Brand New Heavies'' on 23 September 1991. A commercial success, it peaked at number forty-three on the UK Singles Chart.The Brand New Heavies Official Chart History
Official Charts. Retrieved on 26 July 2024 The song became their first crossover hit, peaking at number fifty-four on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and number four on the US Hot R&B Singles chart. The accompanying music video for "Never Stop" was directed by Douglas Gayeton.

"Dream Come True" was reissued with vocals by N'Dea Davenport and released as the second international single and fourth overall single on 3 February 1992. The song peaked at number twenty-four on the UK Singles Chart and number forty-two on the US Hot R&B Singles. " Don't Let It Go to Your Head", a cover version of Jean Carn's song, was released as the fifth single on 20 July 1992, peaking at number twenty-four on the UK Singles Chart. "Stay this Way" was released as the sixth and final single from the album on 30 November 1992. The song peaked at number forty on the UK Singles Chart and number nineteen on the US Hot R&B Singles.

Critical reception

AllMusic's Alex Henderson gave ''The Brand New Heavies'' a favourable review. He praised the album for its use of live instrumentation instead of synth instruments. Henderson commented, "Real horns -- not synthesizers made to sound like horns -- enrich those gems as well as the sweaty vocal funk of "People Get Ready" and "Put the Funk Back in It" and the jazz-influenced instrumental "BNH." Henderson also complimented group member N'Dea Davenport for her performance on "Stay this Way" and "Dream Come True". Marisa Fox of ''Entertainment Weekly'' rated the album two and a half stars out of four.

Commercial performance

''The Brand New Heavies'' debuted at number twenty-five on the UK Albums Chart on 14 March 1992.The Brand New Heavies Chart History on Official Charts
Official Charts. Retrieved on 27 July 2024 The album spent eighteen weeks on the chart, gradually falling back to number fifty-eight before dropping off the chart. On 1 January 1993, the album received a silver-certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).The Brand New Heavies (Silver Certification)
British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 27 July 2024 In the United States, the album peaked at number seventeen on the US ''Billboard'' Top R&B Albums chart.

Track listing

Personnel

The Brand New Heavies
*Simon Bartholomew – guitar, vocals
* N'Dea Davenport (1991) – vocals
*Lascelles Gordon (1991) – percussion, guitar
*Jan Kincaid – drums, keyboards
*Jaye Ella Ruth (1990) – vocals
*Andrew Levy – bass, keyboards, writer & producer
*Jim Wellman (1991) – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, keyboards

Charts

Certifications

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brand New Heavies
The Brand New Heavies albums
1990 debut albums
Acid Jazz Records albums