The Real Thing is the second studio album by American recording R&B singer-songwriter Angela Winbush released under Polygram Records in May 1989. It is the sophomore release after Winbush's debut album Sharp and features the R&B hit singles "It's The Real Thing", "Lay Your Troubles Down", and "No More Tears".The Real Thing – Allmusic
The album includes Winbush's cover of "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love", in which she wrote and produced for Stephanie Mills and appears on her 1985 self-titled album.
Critical reception
Alex Henderson of Allmusic wrote, "For all its slickness and high-tech production gloss, this is an album with plenty of soul and grit."
Track listing All songs produced, written, arranged and performed by Angela Winbush, except where noted.
Personnel Angela Winbush – Lead & Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Piano, Programming, Synthesized Bass, Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming Ronald Isley – Backing Vocals Angela Winbush, Katrina McKnight, Majela Walker, Rhonda Campbell, Jeff Lorenzen, Marvin Isley, Ronald Isley, Scotty Scott - Backing Vocals (Track: 1) Nathan East – Bass (Tracks: 4–8) Sekou Bunch – Electric Bass (Tracks: 1–3) John Robinson – Drums (Tracks: 4–6,8) Rayford Griffin – Drums [Additional] (Tracks: 1–3) Gerald Albright – Saxophone, Soloist (Tracks: 4–5) Tony Maiden – Guitar: (Tracks: 1–3) Paul Jackson, Jr. – Guitar (Tracks: 7,9) Paulinho da Costa – Percussion: (Tracks: 4–6) Greg "Fast Fingers" Phillinganes – Piano [Acoustic] (Tracks: 3–5) Michael Schlesinger – Keyboards & Programming
Production Executive Producer: Ronald Isley Producer, Written-By, Arranger: Angela Winbush Assistant Engineers: [Recording, Assisted By] Darin Prindle, Dennis Stefani, Mitch Gibson Recorded & Engineered By Jeff Lorenzen Mixed: Jeff Lorenzen Mixing Assistant: Darin Prindle
Charts Chart (1989) Peakposition
Singles Year Single Chart positions USR&B USDance1989"It's the Real Thing" 2 —"No More Tears" 12 —1990"Lay Your Troubles Down" 10 —"Please Bring Your Love Back" 70 —
References