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Black Diamond (Angie Stone album)

Black Diamond is the debut studio album by American singer Angie Stone. It was released on September 28, 1999, by Arista Records. The album is named after Stone's then-teenaged daughter Diamond Ti'ara.[1]

Critical reception

In his review for Billboard, Michael Paoletta declared the album "a musically rich and empowering journey through life's many ups and downs" that pairs "smooth, mellow grooves [...] with emotion-packed lyrics." He further wrote: "For those lamenting the lack of honest R&B/soul, stop worrying: With Black Diamond, it's back where it belongs."[6] AllMusic editor Theresa E. LaVeck noted that "purposefully positive, the album chronicles Stone's journeys maintaining personal faith and loving relationships, resplendent with new takes on traditional soul sounds. Stone supports her songwriting and vocal talents with help from A-list musicians/writer/producers such as Lenny Kravitz and D'Angelo. The sophisticated mix is elevated by Stone's incredible voice."[2]

Entertainment Weekly's Laura Morgan found that "on her alluring retro-soul bow, the Southern songstress pairs sensual R&B with tastefully lean production, allowing her raw emotion to roam free."[3] Ayana Byrd, writing for Rolling Stone, compared Stone's vocal performance with Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight and remarked that "Stone's Southern country-road sensibilities prevent her from being derivative of her obvious influences; instead, Black Diamond shines with the intensity of brilliant soul."[5] BBC Music critic Daryl Easlea called the album "a fine debut" that proclaims "after years of struggle, Stone's arrival as an artist in her own right."[7] Kerry Potter from Q described Black Diamond as "a low-key album of quietly poetic soul, epitomised by the muffled funk of "Green Grass Vapors." [It] is meandering and over-polished at times, but, in the main, hints at a sparkling future."[8] Exclaim! editor Del F. Cowie complimented the album for its "classy and subdued mood."[9]

Chart performance

Black Diamond debuted at number 144 on the US Billboard 200 in the week of October 16, 1999,[10] with first week sales of 10,000 copies.[11] It was not until February 19, 2000, that it peaked at number 46.[10] Two weeks prior, on February 2, 2000, the album had been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[12] By September 2003, Black Diamond had sold 812,000 copies in the United States.[13]

Track listing

Notes

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Black Diamond.[19]

Musicians

Technical

Artwork

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

  1. ^ Easlea, Daryl (2012). "Review of Angie Stone – Black Diamond". BBC Music. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  2. ^ a b LaVeck, Theresa E. "Black Diamond – Angie Stone". AllMusic. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Morgan, Laura (November 19, 1999). "Black Diamond". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  4. ^ Porcelli, Kim (March 2, 2000). "Black Diamond". Hot Press. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Byrd, Ayana (October 14, 1999). "Angie Stone: Black Diamond". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2007.
  6. ^ Paoletta, Michael (October 16, 1999). "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  7. ^ Easlea, Daryl. "Angie Stone, Black Diamond, Review". BBC Music. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  8. ^ Potter, Kerry (March 1, 2000). "Angie Stone, Black Diamond". Q. Archived from the original on 2000-11-20. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  9. ^ Cowie, Del F. (February 1, 2000). "Angie Stone: Black Diamond". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "Angie Stone Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  11. ^ "Banks Secures Another Week At No. 1". Billboard.com. July 14, 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "American album certifications – Angie Stone – Black Diamond". Recording Industry Association of America. February 2, 2000.
  13. ^ a b "Ten Years Of People On Verge". Vibe. September 1, 2003. p. 165. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  14. ^ "Stone,Angie – Black Diamond – CD (1999)". musicline.de (in German). Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  15. ^ a b "Black Diamond: Angie Stone". Amazon. United Kingdom. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  16. ^ "Stone,Angie – Black Diamond – CD (2000)". musicline.de (in German). Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Black Diamond : Angie Stone". HMV Japan. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  18. ^ a b c "Black Diamond (Deluxe Edition) by Angie Stone". iTunes Store. United States. 28 September 1999. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  19. ^ Black Diamond (liner notes). Angie Stone. Arista Records. 1999. 07822-19092-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 268.
  21. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Angie Stone – Black Diamond" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  22. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Angie Stone – Black Diamond". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  23. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  24. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  25. ^ "Angie Stone Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  26. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  27. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  28. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Angie Stone – Black Diamond" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved June 30, 2019. Enter Black Diamond in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2002 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  29. ^ "British album certifications – Angie Stone – Black Diamond". British Phonographic Industry. October 18, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  30. ^ "Black Diamond: Angie Stone (CD)". Amazon. United States. 1999. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  31. ^ "Black Diamond: Angie Stone (cassette)". Amazon. United States. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  32. ^ "Black Diamond: Angie Stone". Amazon (in German). Germany. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  33. ^ "Black Diamond: Angie Stone". Amazon. Canada. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  34. ^ "Black Diamond: Angie Stone". Amazon (in German). Germany. Retrieved February 13, 2020.