''Face2Face'' is the fifth studio album from R&B singer

Babyface Babyface or Baby Face can refer to: Nicknames * Lester Joseph Gillis a.k.a. Baby Face Nelson, an infamous 1930s bank robber * Roosevelt "Baby Face" Willette (1933–1971), an American hard bop and soul-jazz musician * "Baby Face", Jimmy McLarnin ...

. It was released by Nu America and Arista Records on September 11, 2001, in the United States. His first album in five years after 1996's ''

The Day The Day may refer to: Film and television * ''The Day'' (1914 film), an Australian silent film * ''The Day'' (1960 film), a short film * ''The Day'' (2011 film), a Canadian film * ''The Day'' (2022 film), a Bangladeshi–Iran joint production ...

'', it also marked Babyface's first album with Arista, which reunited him with his former songwriting and production partner

L.A. Reid Antonio Marquis "L.A." Reid (born June 7, 1956) is an American record executive, A&R representative, and record producer. He is the founder and served as co-chairman of Hitco Entertainment. He also previously served as the chairman and CEO of Ep ...

who was the president of the label at the time of the album's release. The album was a radical departure from his previous works, as the balladeer was focused on more uptempo songs. ''Face2Face'' was also different due to Babyface working with outside producers on roughly half of the album. Producers on the album included

Tim & Bob Tim & Bob (Tim Kelley and Bob Robinson), also known as Funktwons, were a songwriting and production duo. Tim & Bob have discovered and or worked on some of the biggest artists in the music industry and has helped develop the Atlanta music scene ...

Heavy D Dwight Arrington MyersCuda, Heidi Sigmund Keeping it reel. '' Vibe'' ("born Dwight Arrington Myers")Samuels, Anita M. (January 12' 1996)Heavy D, the C.E.O. ''New York Times'' (May 24, 1967 – November 8, 2011), known professionally as Hea ...

The Neptunes The Neptunes are an American songwriting and production duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1992. Williams often provides additional vocals on records and appears in the duo's music videos ...

, Diggin' in the Crates producer Buckwild,

Brian McKnight Brian Kelly McKnight (born June 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, radio host and multi-instrumentalist. He is most recognized for his strong head voice, high belting range and melisma. McKnight is known for h ...

's associate producer Anthony Nance and

Dan Reed Network Dan Reed Network is an American funk rock band formed in 1984 by Dan Reed in Portland, Oregon. They released several albums during the mid-to late 1980s and scored a top 40 hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1988. History Formation Dan Re ...

member Brion James. Reviews of the album were mixed, as critics and fans did not know what to make of Babyface's new musical direction. ''Face2Face'' is notable for being one of a few albums released on the same day as the

September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That morning, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commer ...

. It was released alongside other recordings such as Slayer's ''

God Hates Us All ''God Hates Us All'' is the ninth studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on September 11, 2001 by American Recordings. It was recorded over three months at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, and includes the Grammy Award-nom ...

'', Jay-Z's ''

The Blueprint ''The Blueprint'' is the sixth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released on September 11, 2001, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Its release was set a week earlier than initially planned in order to combat bootlegging. ...

'', Dream Theater's ''Live Scenes from New York'', Mariah Carey's ''

Glitter Glitter is an assortment of small, reflective particles that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Glitter particles reflect light at different angles, causing the surface to sparkle or shimmer. Glitter is similar to confetti, sparkle ...

'',

Fabolous John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977), better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition while still a senior in high school, when he performed live on American music executive ...

's ''

Ghetto Fabolous ''Ghetto Fabolous'' is the debut studio album by American rapper Fabolous. The album was released on September 11, 2001 through Desert Storm Records and Elektra Records. The production on the album was handled by DJ Clue, The Neptunes, Rockwilde ...

'' and

Nickelback Nickelback is a Canadian rock band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta. It is composed of guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger, and drummer Daniel Adair. It wen ...

's ''

Silver Side Up ''Silver Side Up'' is the third studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback, released on September 11, 2001. According to AllMusic, ''Silver Side Up'' continued Nickelback's tradition of "dark high-octane rock" from the band's first two alb ...

''.

Critical reception

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called ''Face2Face'' "a gleaming, stylish platter of urban funk and smooth soul that is easily among his very best records ..Though he's dabbled in funk since the beginning of his career, the grooves here cut deeper and are flashier than ever before, and the sweet croon of his voice just makes them seem deeper. Then there are the ballads that he's always excelled at – they're just as good here, but they not only offer good contrast, they sound better in this context, surrounded by such exquisite dance numbers and grooves ..Babyface has never been in better form, and from beginning to end, this record captures him at the peak of his powers."

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. * Keyboard programming – Babyface, The Neptunes, Mike City, Megahertz, Heavy D, Anthony Nance, Brion James, Tim Kelley * Drum programming – Tim Kelley, Anthony Nance, Buckwild, The Neptunes, Mike City * Bass – Babyface * Acoustic guitar – Babyface * Electric guitar – Babyface, Bob Robinson, Brion James * Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes – Wayne Lindsey * Hammond B-3 organ – Bob Robinson * Background vocals – Babyface, Mike City, Pharrell Williams, Latrelle Simmons * Recording –

Paul Boutin Paul Boutin (born December 11, 1961 in Lewiston, Maine) is an American magazine writer and editor who writes about technology in a pop-culture context. Boutin, who began writing for ''Wired'' in 1997, wrote for ''The New York Times'' from 2003 ...

, Brian Garten * Mixing – Jean Marie Horvat, Josean Posey, Edward Quesada, Derek Carlson * Executive producer – Antonio "L.A." Reid * Photography – Christian Lantry,

Sante D'Orazio Sante D'Orazio is an American photographer. D'Orazio exhibited in the Kunsthaus Munich, Kunsthauswien Vienna, the L.A. County Museum, Kahmann Gallery (Amsterdam), Stellan Holm Gallery (New York), Cameraworks Gallery (Berlin) Hilario Galguera ...

* Art direction, design – Gravillis, Inc.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Face2face Babyface (musician) albums 2001 albums Albums produced by the Neptunes Albums produced by Tim & Bob Albums produced by Babyface (musician) Neo soul albums