Simply Deep

Simply Deep
Studio album by Kelly Rowland
Released October 22, 2002 (2002-10-22)
Recorded 2001–2002
Genre
Length 53:09
Label Columbia
Producer
Kelly Rowland chronology
Simply Deep
(2002)		 Ms. Kelly
(2007)
Singles from Simply Deep
  1. "Dilemma"
    Released: June 25, 2002     [1][2]
  2. "Stole"
    Released: September 21, 2002
  3. "Can't Nobody"
    Released: February 4, 2003
  4. "Train on a Track"
    Released: August 4, 2003

Simply Deep is the debut solo album by American singer Kelly Rowland, first released by Columbia Records on October 22, 2002 in North America, and by February 3, 2003 throughout most international territories. Recorded within the three weeks during the hiatus of former group Destiny's Child and upon the success of worldwide number-one hit single "Dilemma", a collaboration with rapper Nelly, the album facilitated Rowland in becoming a viable solo star. The album features guest appearances from Nelly, Solange Knowles and Joe Budden.

Simply Deep debuted and peaked at number twelve on the Billboard 200 in the US, selling 77,000 copies in the first week. It eventually sold 600,000 copies and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2003.[3] The album also topped the UK Albums Chart.[4] It garnered two nominations at the TMF Awards in the Netherlands, and eventually won both trophies, including Best R&B International Artist. Simply Deep has sold more than two million copies worldwide, becoming Rowland's most successful album to date.

In late-2003, nearly a year after Simply Deep's initial release, Rowland embarked on a European tour, the Simply Deeper Tour, to promote the album. Visiting seventeen venues, Rowland embarked on the tour in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2003 and concluded it on October 6, 2003 in Paris, France.

Production and development

Background

Rowland launched her singing career with all-female R&B group Destiny's Child in the late 1990s. While recording their third studio album, Survivor, in late 2000, the band announced that members of the group would disband for a short period to produce solo albums in the coming years, which they hoped would boost interest in Destiny's Child.[5] The idea of individual releases emanated from the group's manager, Mathew Knowles.[6] With different types of music for each member to produce, the albums were not intended to compete on the charts as Destiny's Child's management strategically planned to stagger the release of each group member's album to maximise sales.[7] While Michelle Williams became the first to release a debut solo album, Heart to Yours, in April 2002,[7] Knowles debuted on the big screen, starring in the comedy film Austin Powers in Goldmember, and started recording her solo debut Dangerously in Love (2003).[7] Meanwhile, Rowland collaborated with American rapper Nelly on the song "Dilemma" as another artist. The single was also seen to be from his album Nellyville (2002), it became a worldwide number-one hit that year, leading her label Columbia Records to advance the release date of her debut solo album from 2003 to late 2002.[7]

Recording

To get done within deadline, the singer was forced to rush the album within three weeks only.[4][8] Recording sessions for the album took place at several recording studios, including Studio 353, The Hit Factory and Sound-on-Sound Studio in New York City, Stankonia Recording Studio in Atlanta, Audio Vision Recording Studios in Miami Beach, and The Enterprise in Burbank, Henson Recording Studios and The Record Plant in Los Angeles, Heeba Jeeba Studios in Sherman Oaks and the Real FM Sound and Nature's Finest Studios in Hollywood.[9] Several record producers and songwriters collaborated with Rowland on the album, including Damon Elliott, Mark J. Feist, Rob Fusari, Rich Harrison, Teron Beal, Billy Mann, Damon Sharpe, and Robert "Big Bert" Smith, the latter who contributed "Love/Hate," a song co-written by fellow singer Brandy.[10] Solange Knowles, Beyoncé's younger sister, wrote and co-produced three songs on Simply Deep.[9]

Rowland who felt pressured by high expectations, coming from Destiny's Child, was initially terrified by recording solo. "It was a challenge and I did that creatively and vocally," she later revealed, "I was very nervous, but I came through with flying colors because of my family and, of course, Destiny's Child. There were days in the studio where I would run out, like, 'I'm frustrated! I don't wanna do this!' And they would calm me and tell me that everything was gonna be okay. I got through it because of them."[11] Rowland eventually overcame her fears during the process as her newfound independence offered her an opportunity to branch out and try new things.[12] In fact, she co-wrote three songs on the album and came up with the vocal arrangements for several tracks.[13] Musically, the album took Rowland's solo work further into an alternative music mixture, which she described as a "weired fusion [of] a little bit of Sade and a little bit of rock."[8][14]

Release and promotion

Simply Deep was released through Columbia Records in collaboration with Music World Music on October 28, 2002 in both the United States and Canada. The album would not be released worldwide until February 3, 2003. The album yielded three singles. "Stole," a rock pop-influenced mid-tempo track about loss, was released as the album's lead single. The song entered the top twenty on the majority of the charts it appeared on, reaching the top five in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, where it remains her highest-charting solo single to date. [15][16] The album's second single was an up-tempo track entitled "Can't Nobody".[17] The final single, "Train on a Track", was featured on the soundtrack of the romantic comedy film Maid in Manhattan (2003).[18]

Singles

Although "Dilemma" was not technically the lead single from the album, it was the first song on the album recorded and released before Rowland even began the process of recording the album. "Dilemma" was generally well received by critics. It was number one in ten countries, including the UK, the US and Australia, selling over 7.6 million copies worldwide also becoming Rowland's first number one single as a solo artist, her highest charting and most successful single to date and her biggest international hit.[19] "Stole" was released as the album's lead single in October 2002, following the worldwide success of "Dilemma", it entered the top twenty on the majority of the charts it appeared on but only a moderate hit compared to its predecessor. "Can't Nobody" was released as the album's second single (third single overall) and although it widely failed to match the success of "Dilemma" or "Stole". "Train on a Track", was the final track released from the album and only entered the top twenty on the UK Single Chart although it was featured on the soundtrack to the romantic comedy film's The Seat Filler and Maid in Manhattan.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[20]
Billboard(positive)[21]
Blender[22]
Entertainment Weekly(mixed)[23]
The Guardian[24]
The Independent(favourable)[25]
Slant Magazine[26]
The Times[27]
Vibe[28]

Upon its release, Simply Deep received generally mixed to lukewarm reviews from most music critics.[20] British morning newspaper The Independent gave the album a generally favorable review, writing that "on the whole the album sticks closely to the standard urban-diva formula, mixing garage twitchers with the usual billing and cooing on ballads such as "Haven't Told You". But it's all done with style and intelligence, whether she's luxuriating in the loneliness of "Everytime You Walk Out That Door" or evoking the momentum of the first flush of love in "Train on a Track"."[25] Lisa Verrico of The Times stated "on first listen, Simply Deep does everything but live up to its title. It sounds like a shallow stroll through the poppier end of urban music [...] But give it another listen and [it] does grow on you if you’re looking for an easy-on-the-ear album. It is a pleasant listen."[27] Joy Dunbar, writing for BBC Music, noted that while "the albums main weakness is that it tries to offer too much diversity and Kelly tries too hard to stand outside her former incarnation," it was a must-have for fans of R&B music, adding: "Simply Deep endeavours to demonstrate another side of Kelly Rowland, as a song writer and an independent solo artist [...] The in frequent high points make this a must for your collection."[29]

In her review for Simply Deep, Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian wrote, "Rowland is no longer a mere backing vocalist for Beyoncé Knowles. But while she undoubtedly has talent to burn, her first solo album is a mildly disappointing setting for it. A top-flight example of the American inclination toward lush but lightweight soul, it makes all the right R&B noises without engaging the emotions."[24] She gave it three out of five stars.[24] Sal Cinquemani of Slant dismissed the ballads on Simply Deep as "all gloppy-goo and no soul; but through it all Rowland manages to keep her cool. The album's best tracks, the light and breezy "Train on a Track" and "(Love Lives In) Strange Places," infuse the singer's lush harmonies with acoustic guitars and poetic wordplay."[26] He especially criticized Solange Knowles' contribution to the album, noting her "icky [and] laughable lyrics" as the worst on Simply Deep which he rated two and a half out of five stars.[26] Jon Caramanica of Entertainment Weekly commented that "Rowland, at times, seems like Destiny's adopted child, never receiving a full helping of Knowles-family adulation. Alas, her first solo project doesn't pull her out from Beyonce's shadow. She needs added star power: Her backup-singer instincts leave even the hottest songs here feeling somewhat chilly."[23] Craig Seymour of Vibe was generally disappointed with the album, writing: "Rowland's solo album marks an attempt to further establish herself as a singular talent, but the effort is as misguided as the Nelly hookup was savvy [...] An abundance of cheesy folk/R&B numbers make Rowland come off like Brandy fronting as India.Arie."[28] He gave Simply Deep one and a half out of five stars.[28]

Accolades

"Dilemma" was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards of 2003, winning the award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. In the 55th Anniversary of the Hot 100 issue of Billboard magazine, the song was ranked at number 75 on the all-time Hot 100 songs[30] while at the end of 2009 was named the 11th most successful song from 2000 to 2009, on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade.[31] "Dilemma" was accredited internationally with 16 certifications. The song also appears on the game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol.

Commercial performance

Simply Deep earned Rowland seven gold and one platinum certification.

Simply Deep peaked at number twelve on the Billboard 200, the official albums chart in the United States, on November 9, 2002,[32] selling 77,000 units in its first week of release.[33] Simultaneously, the album also charted on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums tally, reaching number three behind LL Cool J's 10 (2002) and Gerald Levert's The G Spot (2002).[34] By the end of the year, Simply Deep was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[35] It went on to sell more than 600,000 copies in the U.S.[3]

Released to even bigger success in international territories, in the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number-one on the UK Albums Chart on February 15, 2003, selling more than 100,000 copies in its first week.[36] It received both a silver and a gold certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) the following week, and by April 2011, had been certified platinum for shipping 300,000 units.[37] Simply Deep also reached the top spot on the Irish Albums Chart and was certified gold by the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA).[38] Elsewhere in Europe, the album managed to enter the top ten in Denmark and the top twenty in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland.[39] Across Oceania, it placed fifth and seventh on the Australian and the New Zealand Albums Chart, in the week of January 26, 2003, <ref name="certifications1[39] and was certified gold by both the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).[40] In addition, the album became a gold-seller in Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore, resulting in a worldwide sales total of two million copies, making it Rowland's best-selling solo album to date.[41]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Stole"  Steve Kipner, Dane Deviller, Sean HoseinKipner, Deviller, Hosein 4:09
2. "Dilemma" (with Nelly)Nelly, Bunny Sigler, Kenny GambleBAM & Ryan 4:49
3. "Haven't Told You"  Anders Barrén, Jany Schella, Jeanette OlssonBarrén, Schella 3:42
4. "Can't Nobody"  Rich Harrison, Robert Reed, Tony FisherHarrison 4:04
5. "Love/Hate"  Brandy Norwood, Blake English, Robert SmithBig Bert 3:08
6. "Simply Deep" (featuring Solange Knowles)Troy Johnson, Solange KnowlesJohnson, Knowles 3:22
7. "(Love Lives In) Strange Places"  Kelly Rowland, Billy Mann, Damon ElliottMann, Elliott 3:32
8. "Obsession"  Johnson, KnowlesJohnson, Knowles 3:36
9. "Heaven"  Rowland, Taura Jackson, Alonzo Jackson, Todd MushawA. Jackson 3:59
10. "Past 12"  Robert Fusari, Mary Brown, Falonte Moore, Balewa Muhammad, Teron Beal, Eritza LaudsRob Fusari 3:28
11. "Everytime You Walk Out That Door"  Mark J. Feist, Damon SharpeFeist, Sharpe 4:08
12. "Train on a Track"  Fusari, Tiaa Wells, Muhammad, Sylvester JordanFusari 3:43
13. "Beyond Imagination"  Knowles, Elliott, Romeo AntonioElliott, Knowles 3:21

Personnel

Credits are taken from the album's liner notes.[42]

Managerial and imagery

Performance credits

Instruments

  • acoustic guitar – Billy Mann
  • cello – Kati Raitinen, Peter Tornblom
  • electric guitar – Nick Moroch
  • guitar – Romeo Antonio, Mats Berntoft, Svein H. Martinsen, Isaac Phillips, Sergio Ponzo, Stanka Simeonova
  • viola – Tonstudio Bauer, Torbjorn Helander, Mikael Sjogren
  • bass – Mark J. Feist
  • drums – Mark J. Feist
  • violin – Christian Bergqvist, Ulrika Frankmar, Jan Isaksson, Roger Johnsson, Stanka Simeonova, Stanka Simeonova, Monika Stankkoliska

Technical and production

  • Engineering – Blake English, Paul Falcone, John Frye, Franny G, Jaime Sickora, Spider, Kevin Thomas
  • Engineering assistance – Jun Ishizeki, Flip Osman, Daniel Milazzo
  • Mastering: Tom Coyne
  • Mixing: Tony Maserati, Dave Pensado, Richard Travali
  • Production – Anders Barrén, Dane Deviller, Mark J. Feist,Sean Hosein, Heeba Jeeba, Steve Kipner, Faltone Moore, Jany Schella, Damon Sharpe
  • Vocal production – Teron Beal, Brandy Norwood, Kelly Rowland, Tiaa Wells

Charts and certifications

Preceded by
Justified by Justin Timberlake		 UK number one album
February 15, 2003 – February 21, 2003 		Succeeded by
100th Window by Massive Attack

Release history

Region Date Label
Australia[54] October 22, 2002 Columbia Records
Canada[55]
Italy[56]
Mexico[57]
United States[55]
Japan[58] January 22, 2003
Austria[59] February 3, 2003
France[60]
Ireland[61]
Germany[62] February 10, 2003

References

  1. ↑ "Allmusic Kelly Rowland Bio". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Simply Deep track listing". itunes.com. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Mitchell, Gail (June 3, 2007). "Rowland steps into her own with 2nd album". Reuters. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  4. 1 2 Chaundy, Joanna (July 2, 2007). "Kelly Rowland: Single Black Female". Blues & Soul. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  5. ↑ van Horn, Teri (December 8, 2000). "Destiny's Child Solo CDs Won't Compete With Group, Each Other". MTV News. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Kelly Rowland Pursues Her Own Destiny". Cable News Network. January 23, 2003. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Kaufman, Gil (June 13, 2005). "Destiny's Child's Long Road To Fame (The Song Isn't Called 'Survivor' For Nothing)". MTV News. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
  8. 1 2 Moss, Corey (July 22, 2002). "Nelly Hit Forces Change In Plans For Destiny's Child LPs". MTV News. VH1. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  9. 1 2 Hall, Rashaun. "Simply Deep: Credits". MSN.Music. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  10. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (November 18, 2002). "Brandy Makes Recording Next Album A Family Affair". MTV News. VH1. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  11. ↑ Lindsey, Craig D. (December 5, 2002). "When Nelly Met Kelly". Houston Press. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  12. ↑ Waldron, Clarence (20 January 2003). "Kelley Rowland". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. pp. 58–62. ISSN 0021-5996.
  13. ↑ Hall, Rashaun (October 26, 2002). "Simply Deep: Destiny's New Offering". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 12–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  14. ↑ "Q & A: Kelly Rowland". CNN. October 4, 2006. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Kelly Rowland – Stole – Music Charts". αCharts.us. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Kelly Rowland – Stole – swisscharts.com". SwissCharts.com. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Chart History". aCharts. Retrieved June 26, 2007.
  18. ↑ "Chart History". aCharts. Retrieved June 26, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Kelly Rowland live in Napoli 2010". NapoliToday. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2015.Triptico, Luca (29 July 2011). "Kelly Rowland annuncia l'uscita del singolo Lay It On Me, già record di visualizzazioni su Youtube". Io Amo La Musica Magazine. Retrieved 11 February 2015. (in Italian)
  20. 1 2 "Simply Deep – Kelly Rowland". Allmusic. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  21. ↑ ReviewS_6_pREVIEWS. Billboard. November 2, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Review". Blender. Retrieved November 2, 2002.
  23. 1 2 Caramanica, Jon (October 25, 2002). "Simply Deep Rreview". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  24. 1 2 3 Sullivan, Caroline (February 7, 2003). "Kelly Rowland: Simply Deep". The Guardian. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  25. 1 2 "Album: Kelly Rowland". The Independent. February 7, 2003. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  26. 1 2 3 Cinquemani, Sal (November 2, 2002). "ALBUM REVIEW: Kelly Rowland – Simply Deep". Slant. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  27. 1 2 Verrico, Lisa (January 31, 2003). "Kelly Rowland: Simply Deep". The Times. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  28. 1 2 3 Seymour, Craig (December 1, 2002). "Review". Vibe. Google Books. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  29. ↑ "The Release Of Kelly Rowland's Debut Album Simply Deep, Firmly Fixes The Spotlight On...". BBC Music. March 31, 2003. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  30. ↑ Bronson, Fred (2 August 2012). "Hot 100 55th Anniversary: The All-Time Top 100 Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  31. ↑ "Overall Popularity Top Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  32. ↑ "Billboard 200 – Week of November 09, 2002". Billboard. November 9, 2002. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  33. ↑ Dansby, Andrew (October 29, 2002). "Santana Bumps Faith". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  34. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Week of November 09, 2002". Billboard. November 9, 2002. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  35. ↑ "Gold & Platinum Darabase". Recording Industry Association of America. December 5, 2002. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  36. ↑ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive". The Official Charts Company. February 15, 2003. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  38. ↑ "Certified Awards Search". Irish Recorded Music Association. The Irish Charts. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Charts Performance". A-Charts.us.
  40. ↑ "Artist Profile: Kelly Rowland". Singersoom. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  41. ↑ Perez, Charles (April 7, 2007). "Like This". Billboard.biz. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  42. ↑ Simply Deep (CD liner). Kelly Rowland. Columbia Records. 2002.
  43. 1 2 "Belgian Charts Performance". Ultratop.be. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Simply Deep – Kelly Rowland" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Official Polish Album Chart Top 50". OLiS. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  46. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  47. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Kelly Rowland – Simply Deep". Music Canada.
  48. ↑ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 2003". IFPI Hong Kong.
  49. ↑ "Irish album certifications – Kelly Rowland – Simply Deep". Irish Recorded Music Association.
  50. ↑ "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. 17 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24.
  51. ↑ UNSUPPORTED OR EMPTY REGION: Singapore.
  52. ↑ "British album certifications – Kelly Rowland – Simply Deep". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Simply Deep in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  53. ↑ "American album certifications – Kelly Rowland – Simply Deep". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  54. ↑ "Simply Deep". iTunes.au. Apple Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  55. 1 2 "Simply Deep". Amazon.com. Amazon Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  56. ↑ "Simply Deep". iTunes.it. Apple Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  57. ↑ "Simply Deep". iTunes.mx. Apple Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  58. ↑ "Kelly Rowland Simply Deep". hmv.co.jp. Amazon Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  59. ↑ "Simply Deep". iTunes.at. Apple Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  60. ↑ "Simply Deep". Amazon.fr. Amazon Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
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  62. ↑ "Simply Deep". Amazon.de. Amazon Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
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