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Queen Alone

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2016 studio album by Lady Wray
Queen Alone
Studio album by Lady Wray
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2016 (2016-09-23)
Recorded2014–2016
StudioThe Diamond Mine
(Queens, New York)
Genre
Length34:53
LabelBig Crown Records
Producer
Lady Wray chronology
Make It Hot
(1998) 		Queen Alone
(2016) 		Piece of Me
(2022)

Queen Alone is the second studio album by American singer Nicole Wray, released on September 23, 2016, by Big Crown Records. This is her first solo album in 18 years since her last album Make It Hot and her first under a new name, Lady Wray.

Background and development

In 2009, Wray formed a musical duo called Lady, with English R&B singer Terri Walker. In 2012, the duo toured as the background vocalists for Lee Fields and the Expressions during his international tour. During the tour, Lady recorded their self-titled album and released it in March 2013 on Truth and Soul Records. Heavily influenced by late-'60s and early-'70s soul music, their album spawned three singles: "Money", "Get Ready", and "Good Lovin'". After Walker left the duo during their tour in mid-2013, Wray retitled the music act "Lady, the Band" and continued on with the addition of two background singers for the conclusion of the tour. After the roster move from Truth and Soul Records to Big Crown Records, Wray adopted the stage name Lady Wray.

Recording and production

Lady Wray began recording the album in 2014. The album was recorded at The Diamond Mine, a private recording studio founded by Leon Michels and Thomas Brenneck in Queens, New York. Continuing the sound of Lady, her album with Terri Walker, Queen Alone contains a mix of contemporary R&B and 60s/70s retro soul. Each song was written by Wray and produced by Leon Michels and Tom Brenneck.

"Smiling" was the first song recorded for the album. Wray originally wrote "Do It Again" for Lee Fields' album Special Night but retained the song after being encouraged by Michels and Brenneck. "Do It Again" would go on to serve the lead single, released on June 10, 2016.

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."It's Been a Long Time"2:59
2."Do It Again"3:59
3."Smiling"3:19
4."Guilty"3:34
5."In Love (Don't Mess Things Up)"2:17
6."Make Me Over"2:24
7."Cut Me Loose"3:27
8."Underneath My Feet"2:39
9."They Won't Hang Around"3:53
10."Bad Girl"2:43
11."Let It Go"3:39

Personnel

Credits for Queen Alone adapted from album liner notes.

  • Thomas Brenneck — guitar, bass, vocals, percussion, producer, engineering, mixing
  • Alecia Chakour – backing vocals
  • JJ Golden — mastering
  • Dave Guy — trumpet
  • Vince John — piano
  • Ray Mason — trombone
  • Leon Michels — drums, guitar, keyboards, saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals, producer, engineering, mixing
  • Danny Miller — design

References

  1. ^ Mitchell, Gail (September 9, 2016). "Lady Wray Brings Sultry Soul on 'Queen Alone'". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  2. "Lady Wray: Queen Alone". iTunes. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  3. "Graded on a Curve: Lady Wray, Queen Alone". 20 September 2016.
  4. ^ "Lady Biography AllMusic". Allmusic. December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  5. ^ "From Missy to Lady Wray: How Nicole Wray Rode Out a 20-Year R&B Roller Coaster". Village Voice. December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
Nicole Wray
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