Secrets - Braxton, Toni (CD 1996)

Close your eyes as you listen to Toni Braxton, what do you hear? Something sultry, something sexy and sensual, something earthy and genuine, or all of the above? Toni s deep, oft-times throaty voice, calls to mind a lounge singer in a long flowing dress fit snugly against her curvaceous body to entice and tease; her voice just completes the almost perfect package. It s voice designed to float just above the din and calls out for you to listen.

So it is with Secrets, Toni Braxton s 1996 smash (sophomore) hit album produced in large part by Kenneth Babyface Edmonds. Indeed with very few exceptions Babyface wrote all the songs on the album and his trademark romantic flavor is easy to recognize.

It is rare that I like an album from start to finish, finding something to savor in every track. Such is the case with Secrets. From the opening track Come On Over Here to the closing testimonial track In the Late of Night/Toni s Secret, Secrets never fails to deliver good music, music the slow dance to, music to cry to and get lost utterly and completely in. When the last track fades to static the aura of what was lingers in the room like a lingering whisper enticing me to listen for just one more note, one more sultry word from the delectable Ms. Braxton.

Within the folds of Secrets Toni and by proxy Babyface treat us to an album full of well-written, well-performed songs that defy you to play them just once. The second track on the album, You re Makin Me High almost invites us to peek through a bedroom window and watch as Toni, caught up in the adoration of her man performs a private dance in front a full length mirror, the words of her song riding the current of lustful thoughts to alight on your entreating ears.

Track No. 6 How Could an Angel Break my Heart is a soul piercing ballet that can t help but provoke a response from the listener. The accompaniment of Kenny G s sax (although I thought a more soulful sax player like Kin Waters would have done the song and Ms. Braxton voice more justice) in time and harmony with piano and voice is haunting and serenely beautiful song making.

The last cut on the album In the Late of Night/Toni s Secret once again showcases the varied range of Toni voice from barley a whisper to a softness most pleasant to listen to time and again. Once again the superb song writing and producing talent of Babyface shines in this touching melody of love lost through betrayal.

Although this album is ten years old, it could have been released yesterday, so fresh are its themes, so timeless is the message. For any Toni Braxton fan Secrets is a must-have, and I highly recommend this gem of a CD.