Letters From Birmingham CD

MUSIC

R&B / SOUL

SOUL

Song Listing

Disc 1

Song Title

1. Letter #1 ~ Ruben Studdard

2. Turn U Out ~ Ruben Studdard

3. Love Skies ~ Ruben Studdard

4. Wear Me ~ Ruben Studdard

5. Letter #2 ~ Ruben Studdard

6. Pure Imagination ~ Ruben Studdard

7. Do It Right ~ Ruben Studdard

8. Today (Hallelujah!) ~ Ruben Studdard

9. Letter #3 ~ Ruben Studdard

10. Twisted Love ~ Ruben Studdard

11. Rock Wit'cha ~ Ruben Studdard

12. All About U ~ Ruben Studdard

13. Letter #4 ~ Ruben Studdard

14. Her 4 U ~ Ruben Studdard

15. What's the Reason ~ Ruben Studdard

16. June 28th (I'm Single) ~ Ruben Studdard

Album Notes and Credits

Notes & Personnel Info
	Audio Mixer: Mack Woodward.
	Photographer: Derek Blanks.
	Letters from Birmingham, Ruben Studdard's fifth album -- and first for Shanachie, refuge of the veteran, major-label cast-off R&B artist -- isn't nearly as heavy as the historical Martin Luther King, Jr. missive its title references. The album traces the arc of a relationship, from love at first sight to "June 28th (I'm Single)," a throwback-contemporary hybrid where Studdard addresses his ex-wife and potential mates. Four brief "letter" interludes help guide the listener through the stages in the singer's relationship; without them, the album would still have a discernible linear flow. The stylistic transitions, however, are not as smooth. There's some Southern-friend funk, neo-Philly soul, alternately silky and churning adult contemporary R&B, a very slow cover of Bobby Brown's Babyface/L.A. Reid-penned "Rock Wit'cha" (featuring K. Michelle), and even a twinkling version of "Pure Imagination" (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory). There is almost enough shifting to fill a season's worth of American Idol performances, and it detracts from the fact that this clearly is Studdard's most personal set of songs to date. With the right push and some open-minded radio programming, two of these songs -- the Ne-Yo-worthy "Wear Me" and the Chrisette Michele-assisted "Do It Right" -- could be significant hits and debunk the notion that Studdard excels only with ballads. ~ Andy Kellman
Engineer: Mack Woodward

Compilation Appearances

	Totally Hits 2003
	Revealed
	10Th Anniversary:hits Volume 1
	Slow Motion 2
	Ultimate Christmas 2
	Sweet Sexy Soul:ultimate Romantic S

Technical Info

	Release Date : 03/13/2012
	Original Release Date : 2012
	Catalog ID : SHANCD 5757
	Label : Shanachie Records
	Number of Discs : 1
	SPAR Code : n/a
	UPC : 00016351579720