The Heat - Braxton, Toni (CD 2000)

The woman with the sultry alto voice that helped define 90's R&B returns after a long hiatus with the appropriately titled album, The Heat. Toni Braxton has been sorely missed from the R&B scene, and her voice is blessed with a lot of range, a full gorgeous sound and the ability to portray a lot of emotions. There was no way this album was not ending up in my collection and I bought it almost immediately after its release without hearing a single song on it.

Confidence makes Toni sexier than ever and exhibit A has to be the immaculately produced "He Wasn't Man Enough". Produced by Rodney Jerkins who was the Kanye West of the late nineties, the song immediately captures the listener and proves to be an effective showcase for Toni. When I first heard the pulsing synthesizers set to a rhythmic clap track I was immediately satified. Gone is the heartbroken Toni who convincingly gave us the forlorn, dramatic "Unbreak My Heart" and in her place is a diva whose not afraid to move on. The vocals are about as close to perfection as you can possibly get with Toni growling in her amazing alto voice.

The title track is a song meant for the beach, riding in the car with friends and has a great sound. This woman has the voice that can make the bible sound sinful and she doesn't hesitate to use it. I love the way she phrases the lines of this song and plays with rhythm. Braxton uses her voice in subtle ways and knows how to interpret a song.

Originally, when I wrote this review I stated I didn't really like "Spanish Guitar". I am sitting here now listening to it several years later and wonder what the hell I was thinking. Braxton really communicates a sense of longing and romanticism that is perfectly accented by, well, a spanish guitar. Even though this song is penned by Diane Warren, it's beauty pretty much lies with Toni Braxton's gorgeous performance.

"Just Be A Man About It" is another song where Braxton stops being a doormat and starts setting some boundaries about how she is going to be treated. "Dr. Dre" guests as the lying, cheating man and he fills the part just fine. Although Toni is definitely angry, it's not in the man-hating manner of the time. It was more of a smoldering, mature anger that a lot of adult women could relate to.

"Gimme Some" is another song I didn't appreciate when the album came out but now I love it. Playful, sexy and fun it's a summery jam about love and desire. Featuring a rap from a sorely missed talent, Lisa "Lefteye" Lopes, the whole song just crackles with energy from the beginning to the end.

"I'm Still Breathing" is a gorgeous ballad and it shows off the fact Braxton can give personality to a love song. The words are nothing special, the tune is nothing special, but as it escapes Toni's lips it becomes passionate and believable. In less capable hands this would be a limp, lifeless filler item, but with this incredible singer it is a wonderful song.

"Fairy Tale" is one of the weaker tracks on the album but even it has appealed to me more as the years have passed. It's blatantly a Babyface track and it's solid, if not spectacular. In a perfect world there would be no filler on an album, but if I have to have it I'd rather it be served this way.

"The Art of Love" is an instrumental but it adds to the ambiance and mood to the album. A prelude to the most sensual tracks on the album its kind of like entering a portal. Listening to this is like taking off all your clothes and laying down in a bed of silk. You just know some good things are coming your way.

"Speaking In Tounges" delivers on such an enticing promise. The music is seductive and feminine as Toni talks to a past love and reminisces on how good things were and suggestively talks about recreating some of those erotic memories. There is a lot of rhythmic variety and all though I normally scoff at ooh's and ahh's (think of Mariah's obnoxious Bliss)taking the place of lyrics, Braxton does this with such sensuality and class you can't complain.

"Maybe" is a wonderful little gem at the end of the album and the arrangement and orchestration is perfect for Braxton's rapid fire vocals. I love how the lyrics just seem to be part of her stream of conscious. Very well crafted and she performs it well. The whole song is basically a women contemplating whether she's going to give into her sexual desire and she manages to capture the feelings of anticipation and indecision accurately. Even though she's voicing all the reasons she might want to avoiding indulging, the song leads you to believe she's already made up her mind but doesn't want to admit it.

Although the song doesn't quite compare with some of the others on the album, "You've Been Gone" is a pleasant, smooth helping of R&B. It's not a remarkable track but its pleasant and gives you an easy, relaxed feeling. "Never Just For A Ring" ends the album with a track that is solid but not really stellar. Basically, Toni lets her ex know that she always loved him for him and not just to get married. It works better than it should though and once again this is because Toni is such an expressive singer.

This is a great comeback album from Toni Braxton and I enjoy it immensely. I love the fact she stopped playing the victim in her songs and showed some spunk. All her fast songs are great and she has some wonderful slow songs as well. A couple of weak tracks are the only problem with this album. As far as I am concerned other divas don't generate nearly the heat this talented woman does.

5 stars 90-100 Essential, damn near perfect
4 stars 80-90 Great album worth having in hard copy
3 stars 50-80 Enjoyable album although it has its flaws. Hard Copy for fans only.
2 stars 30-50 Less than half of the album is decent
1 star 0-30 You couldn't give it away.

Downloadability Factor:87.75
He Wasn't Man Enough For Me 95
The Heat 89
Spanish Guitar 85
Just Be A Man About It 88
Gimme Some 88
I'm Still Breathing 89
Fairy Tale 80
Art of Love 80
Speaking In Tongues 95
Maybe 98
You've Been Wrong 86
Never Just For A Ring 80



If you enjoy Toni Braxton's The Heat make sure to indulge in Janet Jackson's Janet and Chante Moore's new album Exposed.