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Soul Talkin'
Studio album by Brenda Russell
Released	1993
Genre	Pop, R&B
Label	EMI
Producer	Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell chronology
Greatest Hits (1992) Soul Talkin' (1993) Paris Rain (2000)

Soul Talkin' is an album by the American musician Brenda Russell, released in 1993. Disappointed with how the album was handled, Russell took a break from solo recording to travel and work on other projects.

The single "No Time for Time" peaked at No. 47 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.

Production

The album was produced by Russell, who cowrote or wrote every song but one. She spent two years working on Soul Talkin'; it was the first time Russell had produced an album entirely on her own.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Gazette	B+
Los Angeles Times
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide
USA Today

Entertainment Weekly called the album "a crafty collection of Caribbean, Brazilian, and jazzy pop," writing that "not since her 1979 debut has Brenda Russell sounded so good, so right." The Sun Sentinel thought that "it's fine adult contemporary radio fare, but if Russell wants a serious crack at the charts, she needs to loosen up and really swing." The Washington Post determined that Russell "wraps her songs in so many synthesizers and harmony vocals that she smothers them," while noting that her true talent remains her songrwriting.

The Los Angeles Times opined that "the highlight is the appearance of Bobby Caldwell—another gutsy singer—on the gently romantic 'Who Are You?'" USA Today declared that Russell is "a gifted composer," writing that "her infectious pop melodies enrich the album." The Orange County Register deemed the album "compelling, if slick, R&B pop/balladry."

Track listing

Personnel

• Brenda Russell – vocals, vocal arrangements, arrangements (1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9), backing vocals (2, 3, 6), synth strings (5), guitar synthesizer (5), synthesizers (7)
• Jeff Hull – keyboards (1, 4), synthesizer programming (1, 4), drums (1, 4), drum programming (1, 4), arrangements (1, 4), keyboard programming (9), intro sound effects (9)
• Russell Ferrante – acoustic piano (2, 10), acoustic piano solo (3)
• Greg Phillinganes – keyboards (2)
• William "Smitty" Smith – Rhodes piano (2, 3), keyboards (6), organ (6), backing vocals (6)
• Brad Cole – synthesizers (2, 7, 8), additional synthesizers (3), synth flute (5), synth percussion (6), keyboard programming (7, 8), drum programming (7, 8), arrangements (7, 8), drums (8)
• David Swanson – synthesizers (2, 6), backing vocals (6)
• Aaron Zigman – synthesizers (3)
• Michael Ruff – acoustic piano (5)
• Larry Williams – additional synthesizers (5), synth solo ending (5)
• Ivan Lins – synthesizers (9), percussion (9), vocal solo (9), arrangements (9)
• James Harrah – acoustic guitar (1), guitars (3, 8)
• Ricardo Silveira – acoustic guitar (2, 4, 5), guitars (9)
• Marlo Henderson – guitars (3)
• Don Griffin – guitars (6)
• Michael Thompson – guitars (7)
• Bill Sharpe – electric bass (2), bass (3), backing vocals (6)
• Abraham Laboriel – bass (6)
• John Leftwich – acoustic bass (10)
• Alvino Bennett – drums (2, 6)
• Carlos Vega – drums (3, 10)
• Lenny Castro – percussion (2, 3)
• Luis Conte – percussion (6)
• Cassio Duarte – percussion (9)
• Mike Shapiro – percussion (10), arrangements (10)
• Everette Harp – saxophones (2)
• Scott Mayo – saxophones (2)
• Reggie Young – trombone (2)
• Michael "Patches" Stewart – trumpet (2)
• Tollak Ollestad – harmonica (4)
• Gary Herbig – woodwinds (5)
• Dan Higgins – woodwinds (5)
• Kim Hutchcroft – woodwinds (5)
• Bob Tricarico – woodwinds (5)
• Jerry Hey – woodwind arrangements (5)
• Steve Lindsey – arrangements (8)
• Bill Cantos – arrangements (10)
• Maxayn Lewis – backing vocals (1, 2, 3, 6, 8)
• Arnold McCuller – backing vocals (1, 8)
• Joe Turano – backing vocals (1, 6, 8), acoustic piano (6), additional synthesizers (6)
• Mica Paris – vocal inspiration (1)
• Petsye Powell – backing vocals (2, 3, 6)
• Paulette Brown – backing vocals (3, 6)
• Amanda Hayley – backing vocals (3)
• Carol Perry – backing vocals (4, 7, 9)
• Darlene Perry – backing vocals (4, 7, 9)
• Lori Perry – backing vocals (4, 7, 9)
• Sharon Perry – backing vocals (4, 7, 9)
• Rita Coolidge – backing vocals (6)
• Louis Price – backing vocals (6)
• Mary Wilson – backing vocals (6)
• Dianne Brooks – backing vocals (8)
• Pauline Wilson – backing vocals (8)
• Bobby Caldwell – vocals (10)

Production

• Brenda Russell – producer
• Tommy Vicari – recording, mixing
• Fletcher Dobrocke – recording (2, 3, 5, 6)
• David Ahlert – additional recording (1, 3, 10)
• Jeffrey "Woody" Woodruff – additional recording (2, 6), recording (7, 8, 9)
• Tony Phillips – additional recording (2, 5, 6)
• Erik Hanson – additional recording (3)
• Micajah Ryan – additional recording (3)
• Randy Long – assistant engineer (1-5, 7)
• Judy Kirschner – recording assistant (2, 3)
• Scott Ralston – recording assistant (2)
• Jeff Shannon – recording assistant (2, 5)
• Bernie Grundman – mastering
• Debbie Wolinsky – production assistant
• Henry Marquez – art direction
• Lu Ann Graffeo – design
• Daniela Federici – photography
• Tanya Gill – stylist
• Roberto Leon – hair stylist
• Rudy Calvo – make-up

Studios

• Recorded at Pacifique Studios and Track Record Studios (North Hollywood, California); Cherokee Studios (Hollywood, California); Studio 56, Walt Tucker Studio and Willyworld (Los Angeles, California); Take One Studios (Burbank, California).
• Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California).

References

1. Holden, Stephen (21 Aug 1993). "Singer as Songwriter, Admirers as Before". The New York Times. p. L9.
2. "Brenda Russell Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
3. "Seven-Year Break Helps Brenda Russell 'Suss Out' Good Songs". MTV News. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
4. "Russell Returns With 'Paris Rain'". Los Angeles Sentinel. 19 July 2000. p. B7.
5. "Brenda Russell". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2023-08-22. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
6. ^ Stride, Todd (29 Aug 1993). "Music". The Gazette. p. F5.
7. ^ Jones IV, James T. (Sep 1993). "Brenda Russell: Signature songwriter". Essence. Vol. 24, no. 5. p. 54.
8. Holsey, Steve (5 Apr 1995). "What's a middle-aged artist to do?". Michigan Chronicle. p. 1D.
9. "Soul Talkin'". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
10. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. p. 197.
11. ^ "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. July 4, 1993. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
12. MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 496.
13. ^ Jones IV, James T. (18 May 1993). "Brenda in Charge". USA Today. p. 6D.
14. "Soul Talkin'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
15. Wilker, Deborah. "Soft on Soul". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
16. Himes, Geoffrey (13 August 1993). "Russell's Pop Gifts Are for Giving". The Washington Post. p. N15.
17. Darling, Cary (June 25, 1993). "R&B". Orange County Register. p. P46.

• Brenda Russell albums
• 1993 albums
• EMI Records albums