• Source: 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.




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." 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."
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." 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." 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." 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." Exclaim! editor Del F. Cowie complimented the album for its "classy and subdued mood."




Chart performance


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




Track listing



Notes

^a signifies an additional producer
^b signifies a remixer
Sample credits

"No More Rain (In This Cloud)" contains excerpts and samples of "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" by Gladys Knight & the Pips.




Personnel


Credits adapted from the liner notes of Black Diamond.




= Musicians

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= Technical

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= Artwork

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Charts






Certifications






Release history






References

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Angie Stone
• The Rolling Stones
• Nicki Minaj
• Whitney Houston
• Diskografi Alicia Keys
• Missy Elliott
• Black Diamond (Angie Stone album)
• Angie Stone
• Black Diamond
• Angie Bowie
• Angie Stone discography
• No More Rain (In This Cloud)
• Stone Love
• Everyday (Angie Stone song)
• Diamond Dogs
• The Rolling Stones