Tamar is the debut solo studio album by American R&B singer Tamar Braxton. It was released on March 21, 2000, by DreamWorks Records and RedZone Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Missy Elliott, Jermaine Dupri and Amil, while the production handled by Tim & Bob, Tricky Stewart, among others. Originally entitled Ridiculous, it debuted at number 127 on the US Billboard 200 and number 42 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Braxton later admitted in interviews for her second album Love and War that she was not fond of this album due to not having any creative control.
Background Before the official release, Braxton was the lead singer of the Braxtons, after her sisters Traci and Toni had to leave the group, which left them as a trio of Tamar, Trina and Towanda. After the release of their debut album, So Many Ways (1996), Braxton was offered a solo recording contract with DreamWorks, which she happened to leave the group and begin her solo career. In 2004, Tamar's sister Towanda Braxton appeared on the reality TV series Starting Over during its second season, revealing that Tamar signed a solo contract without telling her or Trina that she left The Braxtons group.
In 1999, she released the EP, Tamar: Just Cuz to generate buzz about her debut album. The Tamar: Just Cuz EP contained 4 songs, "Just Cuz", "Let Him Go" (featuring Solé), "It's Time" (featuring Grand Puba) and "Get Mine".
Her album was originally going to be called Ridiculous, which would have been released in late 1999. Some songs recorded for this album remain unreleased, as this project was scrapped.
Critical reception
AllMusic editor Roxanne Blanford called Tamar both "impressive and enjoyable." She thought that "this recording is primarily a quiet display of Tamar's competence at present day rhythm & blues with some contemporary hip-hop flavor thrown in. If it wasn't such an all-around good listen, it would certainly be worthy of recognition on the basis of its professional presentation alone." Steve Jones from USA Today noted that Tamar "can sing," though her voice is "less husky and distinctive" than Toni#s, and praised her for holding her own on tracks like "Get None" with Jermaine Dupri and Amil, and the quirky "Respect Me," while observing that the "'he's no good' theme gets monotonous," but her "penchant for turning a catchy tune" gives her a chance to make a name for herself. Colin Ross of PopMatters wrote that the album was a "fairly good R&B album with its share of highlights." He noted that while Tamar "stands up quite well" despite inevitable comparisons to Toni Braxton, the album's sound is "a little formulaic" and lacks the "magic" to make it a hit, though it "has enough quality to appeal" and is "worth checking."
Track listing
Personnel Keyboards and drum programming: Tim & Bob, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Darrell "Delite" Allamby, Tricky Stewart, The Co-Stars Piano: Les Butler, Bob Robinson Acoustic guitar: Bob Robinson Spanish guitar: Bob Robinson Guitar: Paul Pesco, Marlon McClain Percussion: Luis C. Conte Background vocals: Tamar Braxton, Darcy Aldridge, Mýa (uncredited), Lil' Mo, Missy Elliott, LaTocha Scott, Darrell "Delite" Allamby Recording engineers: Jermaine Dupri, Brian K. Smith, Tim Kelley, Carlisle Young, Ben Arrindell, Rob Hunter, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Kevin "KD" Davis Mixing engineers: Phil Tan, Brian K. Smith, Tim Kelley, Carlisle Young, Ben Arrindell, Kevin "KD" Davis Photography: Randee St. Nicholas Design: Orabor
Charts + Chart performance for TamarChart (2000)PeakpositionUS Billboard 200127US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)42
References
External links