Total (Total album) explained
Total is the debut album by American female R&B trio Total. It was released by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records on January 30, 1996, in the United States. Chiefly produced by Bad Boy head Sean "Puffy" Combs, the album peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard 200 and reached the top five of the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Total was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and spawned the hit singles "Can't You See", "No One Else", "Kissin' You" and "Do You Think About Us"/"When Boy Meets Girl".
Critical reception
AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that "while the album is simply too long to sustain the quality" of their previous "singles "Can't You See" and "No One Else," most of the record is filled with deep, seductive funk that follows through on the group's promise." Entertainment Weeklys Dimitri Ehrlich wrote that "with a buttery delivery and enough sass to kill an elephant, this trio of hip-hop/soul vixens gives TLC good cause to be frightened. Brimming with irresistibly funky loops and gritty grooves, the self-titled Total is a pleasure from start to finish. Rap assists from label mate The Notorious B.I.G. are the cherry on top." Connie Johnson from the Los Angeles Times felt that "the three singers themselves generate little heat. The vocals on the best cuts, “Can't You See” and “Do You Think About Us?,” mostly evoke Faith Evans and T-Boz of TLC. Except for the lasciviousness of “Who Is This,” Total doesn't distinguish itself from other divas."
Track listing
Sample credits
- "Do You Know" contains a sample from "Same Beat (Part 1)" as performed by Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s.
- "No One Else" contains a sample from "South Bronx" as performed by KRS-1.
- "Can't You See" contains elements from "The Payback" as performed by James Brown.
- "Someone like You" contains a sample from "Save their Souls" as performed by Hamilton Bohannon.
- "Tell Me" contains a sample from "Help Somebody Please" as performed by The O'Jays.
- "Love Is All We Need" contains excerpts from "Atomic Dog" as performed by George Clinton.
- "Don't Ever Change" samples "Computer Love" as performed by Zapp.
- "Spend Some Time" contains a sample from "Love TKO" as performed by Teddy Pendergrass.
- "When Boy Meets Girl" incorporates re-recorded portions of "Love You Inside Out" as written and performed by The Bee Gees.
Credits
- Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander – Flute, Mixing
- Eddie Alford – guitar
- Bob Brockman – mixing
- Gerry Brown – mixing
- Sean "Puffy" Combs – executive producer, producer, remixing, Voices
- Lane Craven – engineer
- Da Brat – rap
- Stephen Dent – engineer
- Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott – producer
- Dan Evans – production coordination
- Guzman (Constance Hansen and Russell Peacock) – Photography
- Chad Hugo – producer
- Stevie J. – producer
- Julian Jackson – drums, engineer, keyboards, percussion, programming
- Rodney Jerkins – remixing
- D. Jones – vocals (Background)
- Steve Jordan – producer
- Paul Logus – engineer, mixing
- Pam Long – Voices
- Tammy Lucas – vocal producer
- Keith M. – vocals (Background)
- Tony Maserati – engineer, mixing
- Keenya Mauldin – Hair Stylist
- Alisha Melvin – Hair Stylist
- Herb Middleton – keyboards
- Nasheim Myrick – engineer
- Axel Niehaus – engineer, mixing
- Jean Claude "Poke" Olivier – producer
- Sybil Pennix – Assistant Producer, Stylist, Executive Producer
- Herb Powers – Mastering
- Terri Robinson – producer, vocals (Background)
- Raphael Saadiq – guitar (Bass), Producer, Vocals (Background)
- LaTrice Shaw – production coordination
- Rashad Smith – producer
- Eric Spearman – make-up
- Kevin Thomas – engineer
- Chucky Thompson – guitar, keyboards, producer
- Total – vocals (Background)
- Richard Travali – engineer
- Pharrell Williams – producer
- Doug Wilson – engineer
Charts
Year-end charts
Notes and References
- Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996. Billboard. October 2, 2020.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996. Billboard. October 2, 2020.
