Tonight (Silk Album)

''Tonight'' is the third studio album by American R&B group Silk, released on March 23, 1999 on Elektra Entertainment. It was their first album in four years and the reason for the break was due to the group wanting to be more involved in the creative process. Another reason for the hiatus was due to the lackluster performance of their previous album ''Silk'' (1995), which caused the group to seek new management after dealing with financial and legal issues. After severing ties with their former managers, they were managed by Sonja Norwood, mother of singer/actress Brandy Norwood. They were soon given the green light to record a new album by Elektra's then-president Sylvia Rhone, who let them take their time to record the album until they had the right songs.

Most of the production duties were split between group member Gary Jenkins and producer Darrell "Delite" Allamby. The latter was brought in due to his previous work with Gerald Levert, Busta Rhymes and LSG. Additional production was provided by Maurice Wilcher, Steve "Million Dollar Man" Morales, and Donald Parks. ''Tonight'' peaked at number 21 on the US ''Billboard'' 200 and number eight on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album spawned the hit single "If You", which peaked at number 13 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming their biggest hit since " Freak Me" (1993) and follow-up "Meeting In My Bedroom". ''Tonight'' proved to be their second most successful album, right behind their 1992 debut '' Lose Control''. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1999.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found ''Tonight'' "a little predictable. If you're at all familiar with the previous two records, you know what to expect lyrically and musically from every track on the record, and chances are, you won't be too disappointed by this slightly over-produced, ballad-heavy set. The uninitiated may find the constant sex talk a little ridiculous and monotonous, but they'll likely groove on Darrell "Delite" Allamby's production, which updates classic '70s soul and funk. It can be a little glossy and glib, as well as a little lightweight in the songwriting department, but that Allamby production makes ''Tonight'' fairly effective romantic mood music – even with Silk's vocal histrionics."

Track listing

Notes
* signifies a co-producer
* signifies an additional producer

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Tonight''.

Performers and musicians

*Darrell "Delite" Allamby – background vocals, keyboards, programming
*Anthony "A.D." Donelson – guitar
*Kenneth "Kenny Flav" Dickerson – keyboards, programming
*Jerry Flowers – drum programming
*Ben "Smooth" Howe – keyboards, programming
*Gary Jenkins – guitar, keyboards, programming
*Avery Johnson – drum programming
*Link – background vocals
*Terrence T. Nelson – drum programming
*Ninja – guitar
*Paul Pesco – guitar
*Zack Scott – drums
*Silk – background vocals
*Maurice Wilcher – keyboards, programming

Technical

*Darrell "Delite" Allamby – executive producer, engineer
*Alli – art direction and design
*Kwaku Alston – photography
*Ben Arrindell – engineer
*Chris Diaz – recording engineer
*Kenneth "Kenny Flav" Dickerson – engineer
*Paul Fleming – recording engineer
*John Grimes – recording engineer
*Shawn Grove – recording engineer
*Bryan Kinkead – recording engineer
*Paul Logus – mixing engineer
*Rico Lumpkins – engineer
*Vernon Mungo – engineer
*Terrence T. Nelson – recording engineer
*Herb Powers – mastering engineer
*Silk – executive producer
*Brian Smith – recording engineer
*Jason Stokes – recording engineer
*Darryl Williams – executive producer
*Jimmy Zupano – recording engineer

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

{{Authority control

1999 albums
Silk (group) albums