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The Real Thing is the eighth studio album by American recording artist and actress Vanessa Williams, released on June 2, 2009 on Concord Records.[4] It features productions by Keith Thomas, Kenneth Edmonds, Rob Mathes, Rex Rideout, and Guy Sigsworth, and songs written by Stevie Wonder and Babyface. The Real Thing achieved moderate success, peaking at #91 on the Billboard 200. It also reached #1 on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, #2 on the Top Jazz Albums chart and #36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. As of May 2010, the album has sold 62,000 copies in United States.[5]
The Real Thing was originally intended to be a "Brazilian-type" record. However, when Vanessa Williams contacted Babyface for the album production, it was revealed the album would have a more R&B sound. She considered the album a combination of different influences, such as classical, jazz and Latin music.[6]The Real Thing was also produced by Keith Thomas, Rob Mathes and Rex Rideout, and features songs written by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Bebel Gilberto, Phil Galdston, and Babyface.[7] When asked about the album style, Williams said:
"Yes, for me this is kind of a reflective record. [...] You know, I'm in my mid-forties; I've been divorced twice; I've raised four children; I'm a career woman... So it is a kind of look at love from all those different female perspectives. [...] 'The Real Thing' represents the promise of being back with a lover; 'October Sky' is a break-up song… Plus, with me being an actor who's also a singer, my favourite songs to sing are always those that tell a story. Because, when I go into the studio, I do kind of approach everything as an actor. [...] So, in that way, I do think all the songs on 'The Real Thing' either have some deep storyline, or can give an effect of a character at a particular time in a particular place."[6]
Singles[]
"Breathless" was released as the lead single from the album on February 24, 2009. It failed to chart, but Williams has stated that it is one of her favorite songs on the album.
"Just Friends" was released as the second single on May 19, 2009. It reached #10[8] on the Billboard Jazz Songs chart.
"Close to You" was released as the third worldwide single on August 11, 2009. The single also failed to chart.
"The Real Thing" was released as the fourth single on September 28, 2009. It was written by Stevie Wonder and was released with a Soul Seekerz dance remix.[6]
