Faith (Basehead album)

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Faith
Studio album by
Basehead
Released1996
StudioPachyderm Recording Studio
Genre
LabelImago Records[2]
ProducerMichael Ivey
Basehead chronology
Not in Kansas Anymore
(1993) 		Faith
(1996) 		In the Name of Jesus
(1998)

Faith is the third album by the American group Basehead, released in 1996.[3][4] The release was delayed for two years as Imago Records separated from BMG.[5][6] It was the group's last album for the label.[7]

Production[]

The album was recorded in 1994 at Pachyderm Recording Studio, in Minnesota, with engineering help from Michael Koppelman; Koppelman and DJ Clarence Greenwood also coproduced some of the tracks.[5][8] The lyrics, written by Michael Ivey, address themes of Christian spirituality and God.[9]

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[7]
Entertainment WeeklyA-[11]
Fort Worth Star-Telegram[12]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide[13]
Orange County Register[1]

Entertainment Weekly deemed the album " avant-Christian funk," writing that Ivey "hasn’t curtailed his humor, his drawling sensuality, or his sense of musical adventure."[11] The Washington City Paper advised: "Imagine a mellow Prince quietly declaiming over the late-night vibes of a cafe ensemble comfortable with jazz balladry, triphop, sadcore, and cutting-edge hiphop."[5] The Orange County Register called it "a brilliant blend of social observation, lo-fi hip-hop, twisted jazz, clever avant-rock, and smart old school that cuts very, very deep."[1]

CMJ New Music Monthly thought that "some songs lilt and others throb, but Faith still has the arid, rustic sound that distinguishes Basehead's records from any others in hip-hop."[9] The Fort Worth Star-Telegram determined that Ivey's "spiritual lyrics have matured without getting pompous," writing that the frontman is "the guy who pretty much founded that whole 'alternative rap' movement—a commingling of rap, reggae, country and R&B that Arrested Development, the Fugees and others swiped and made nice careers out of—and still he lingers in the shadows of obscurity."[12]

AllMusic wrote that Ivey "didn't leave behind his trademark amalgam of funk, hip-hop, and kitschy pop but he has become more focused ... Unfortunately, you don't listen to Basehead to hear direction—Ivey's charm has always been in his fragmented, hazy cut-and-paste approach."[10]

Track listing[]

All tracks are written by Michael Ivey.

No.TitleLength
1."If I Were Superman" 
2."Cold Outside" 
3."Faith" 
4."Castles & Kings" 
5."Ask Your Dad" 
6."Fun Tube" 
7."Betty Ford & a Brand New Bag" 
8."Lucy" 
9."Objects in the First Person" 
10."Fives & Fours & Friend of Friends" 
11."Saved" 
12."Spreading Germs" 
13."The Son Does Shine" 
14."Family Man" 

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Darling, Cary (June 28, 1996). "SOUND CHECK - Basehead's Ivey climbs to new level". Orange County Register. p. F56.
  2. ^ "Basehead". Trouser Press. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Basehead Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  4. ^ "Basehead's Game of Tags". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Kiviat, Steve (October 11, 1996). "You Gotta Have Faith". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  6. ^ Morris, Chris (Feb 10, 1996). "Imago Links With Koch International". Billboard. 108 (6): 89.
  7. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Volume 1: MUZE. p. 453.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  8. ^ Brace, Eric (21 Feb 1997). "A Musical Model Citizen". The Washington Post. Weekend. p. 13:1.
  9. ^ a b Molanphy, Chris (Aug 1996). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly (36): 34.
  10. ^ a b "Faith - Basehead | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Archived from the original on 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2021-11-08 – via www.allmusic.com.
  11. ^ a b Ehrlich, Dimitri. "Faith". EW.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  12. ^ a b Mayhew, Malcolm (May 31, 1996). "RAP". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Star Time. p. 13.
  13. ^ MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 35.
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