Sugar & Spice is the fifth studio album by American singer Mya. It was released by Manhattan Recordings exclusively in Japan on December 3, 2008.[1] The album was produced through Mya's own independent label imprint Planet 9 following her departure from Universal Motown amid the leakage of her previous album Liberation in the Japanese music market.[1] Rather than spending time in court suing Motown/Universal, she opted out of her contract.[2] Mya was then approached to record more albums exclusively for the Japanese market because of the positive response Liberation received.[3]
| Sugar & Spice | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 3, 2008 | |||
| Recorded | September–November 2008 | |||
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| Length | 55:58 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| Mya chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Sugar & Spice | ||||
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Recorded between the months of September and November 2008 at Mya's own recording studio, production was primary handled by a variety of low-profile producers; enlisting the help of Arkatech Beatz, Riddim Fingaz, The Smith Bros, and Duke Williams among others.[4] Harrison, took full creative control co-writing the entire album with producer Christopher Moore and served as executive producer. Guest features included rappers Tre, Faith Boogie, and dancehall musician Sean Paul. In her own words, Mya described the album as "a compilation with all positive energy and song content."[5]
The album spawned just one single, the riddim-inspired "Paradise", which was released on October 31, 2008.[6] Sugar & Spice debuted at number fifty-three on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart.
Background
editIn 2007, the singer's fourth studio album Liberation was accidentally released in Japan when the release date changed. At the time, she was signed to Universal Motown and her lawyer advised the singer to not waste time and money taking the issue to court, so Harrison decided to go independent instead. The Liberation album became so popular in Japan that indie label Manhattan Recordings approached her about doing business with them. Harrison then released her first independent project, Sugar & Spice, a year after her split with Motown in Japan in 2008.[7]
Planet 9
editIn 2008, Harrison created her own label imprint Planet 9. Since parting ways with Universal Motown, Harrison has released four independently self-funded, self-executive produced projects; 2008's Sugar & Spice, 2009's Sugar & Spice: The Perfect Edition, 2010's Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1 and 2011's K.I.S.S. In 2009, Harrison spoke with Rolling Out magazine, elaborating more on her hiatus from music and decision to go independent:
"I've never stopped doing music. I've created a label called Planet 9 and I released an album in Japan. I invested in my own studio and it cut the recording cost down 95 percent. I have my own in-house producers and they are not as expensive as an established producer. The return is greater and now I own my masters. I see six dollars per album sold versus 10 cents. You may not sell as many units because you don't put as much money in promotions, but the returns are better."[8]
Later in the interview, the singer voiced her opinion on the differences between major record labels and independent labels, sharing with "Major labels have a system that you have to go through. The people in power dictate how things should sound and where the money is spent. But when you become your own boss, you check every line item and you have to be cautious."[8]
Development
editUnlike her first four studio albums, which were financed by major record labels, Sugar & Spice was solely self-funded and self-produced in Mya's home studio in her hometown of Washington D.C. After signing an exclusive recording contract with Manhattan Recordings, Harrison began production for the album in September 2008.[9] Unfamiliar with the independent route and to keep recording cost down as much as possible, Harrison opted to work with a variety of less known producers to create Sugar & Spice. In search of new producers, while at a Guitar Center in Los Angeles buying equipment Mya met reggae producer Chris "Riddim Fingaz" Garvey's brother and got his phone number.[9] Aware of his great production skills, Mya reluctantly called him, collaborated and produced "Paradise", a riddim-inspired song.[9] Of his contribution to Sugar & Spice, Harrison commented, "Riddim Fingaz has a great presence and is a great talent."[9]
Continuing production on Sugar & Spice, Harrison reached out to Yonni, a young producer from Cleveland, Ohio with whom she met through MySpace.[9] Prior to the leakage of her fourth studio album Liberation, Yonni had produced a remix version of Harrison's single "Ridin'".[9] Impressed with his production skills, Harrison and Yonni continued to work together and maintain a professional relationship.[9] Additionally, Harrison sought out UK singer, songwriter and producer Stevie Hoang for contribution to Sugar & Spice as well.[9] With 14 tracks in total, in an article commenting on the finished results, Sugar & Spice was described as a lineup of songs that stimulate the Japanese quintessence that set apart from her previous albums and dubbed musically as her most wonderful work to date.[10]
Music and composition
editMusically, Sugar & Spice contains melodic songs based on the pop genre that compliments Mya's vocals.[10] Commenting on the album's theme, Mya explained, "There's a saying, "A life with sugar (sweetness) and spices (stimulation) is wonderful." Girls need sugar and spices, while noting, "This album has a little bit of sugar and a little spice, so you can get to know the two sides of Mýa."[9] Sugar & Spice opens with the '80s pop-inspired "Must Be the Music".[9] It followed by the Riddim Fingaz-produced "Paradise". A riddim song, "Paradise" was chosen as the album's first single after a listening sessions with fans.[9] Track six, the ballad "Cry No More", was described as a "very passionate" song, while mid-tempo "Ego Trippin'" addresses a situation in which Harrison admits that she was wrong.[9] "Shy Guy", a cover of Diana King's hit served as the album's tenth track.[9] When asked why she chose to cover the song, Harrison responded, "It was my favorite song when I was young. I was in reggae mode, so I wanted to add that kind of flavor, while pointing out, "It's a really fun song, it's a bit like sugar and spice."[9] "Back to Disco" the album's twelfth track incorporates element of 70s music.[9]
Release and promotion
editFollowing its completion, Sugar & Spice arrived in stores and online December 3, 2008.[11] The following year Manhattan Recordings issued Sugar & Spice: The Perfect Edition, a double disc album that featured a new track, new remixes and past hits within her discography on August 5, 2009.[12]
To promote Sugar & Spice, Manhattan Recordings organized and arranged an album release party at Fever, a popular night club/music venue where Harrison performed for the very first time in Japan. A 40 minute stage show that featured four costumes changes, Mya was accompanied by four dancers and performed new material from Sugar & Spice as well as her past hits which included, "Paradise", "Shy Guy", "Must Be the Music", "Fallen", and "The Best of Me".[13]
Singles
editSugar & Spice spawned the first and only single, "Paradise". Written by Mya and songwriter Christopher Moore, "Paradise" is a riddim-inspired song produced by Riddim Fingaz.[9] Played during a listening session, fans responded positively and thus "Paradise" was chosen as the lead single.[9] Manhattan Recordings released "Paradise" on October 31, 2008. An accompanying music video followed and was directed by photographer Marc Baptiste.[14]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Must Be the Music" |
| Jimmy "Klev" Juarez | 4:57 |
| 2. | "Paradise" |
| Riddim Fingaz | 3:25 |
| 3. | "Sold on Your Love" |
| Stevie Hoang | 4:32 |
| 4. | "One for You" |
| Hoang | 4:07 |
| 5. | "Almost Naked" |
| Yonny | 3:40 |
| 6. | "Cry No More" |
| D. Botts | 4:25 |
| 7. | "Ego Trippin'" |
| The Smith Brothers | 4:08 |
| 8. | "Let's Go to War" (introducing Faith Boogie) |
|
| 3:06 |
| 9. | "All in Your Mind" |
| Leroy "Mr. Lee" Williams | 3:04 |
| 10. | "Shy Guy" |
|
| 4:05 |
| 11. | "Money Can't Buy My Love" |
| Michael Duque | 4:52 |
| 12. | "Back to Disco" |
| Mike "Trauma" D. | 4:29 |
| 13. | "Fallen (Part 2)" (featuring Tre; bonus track) |
|
| 3:45 |
| 14. | "Paradise" (remix featuring Sean Paul; bonus track) |
| Riddim Fingaz | 3:23 |
| Total length: | 55:58 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wish You Were Here" (featuring Che'Nelle) |
| KO Tha Trakaholik | 3:59 |
| 2. | "Paradise" (Ryan Leslie Remix) |
|
| 3:39 |
| 3. | "Sold on Your Love" |
| Hoang | 4:10 |
| 4. | "One for You" |
| Hoang | 3:56 |
| 5. | "Almost Naked" |
| Yonny | 3:39 |
| 6. | "Cry No More" |
| D. Botts | 4:23 |
| 7. | "Ego Trippin'" |
| The Smith Brothers | 4:06 |
| 8. | "Let's Go to War" (introducing Faith Boogie) |
|
| 3:05 |
| 9. | "All in Your Mind" |
| Williams | 3:03 |
| 10. | "Shy Guy" (DJ Hasebe Remix) |
|
| 4:14 |
| 11. | "Money Can't Buy My Love" |
| Duque | 4:50 |
| 12. | "Back to Disco" |
| Mike "Trauma" D. | 4:28 |
| 13. | "Must Be the Music" |
| Juarez | 4:55 |
| 14. | "Lock U Down" (featuring Lil Wayne) |
| Storch | 3:34 |
| 15. | "Fallen" (remix featuring Fatlip and Tre) |
|
| 3:55 |
| 16. | "Fallen (Part 2)" (featuring Tre) |
| 3:36 | |
| 17. | "Ayo!" (featuring DJ Kool) |
| Henderson | 3:53 |
| 18. | "Girls Dem Sugar" (Beenie Man featuring Mya) | The Neptunes | 4:19 | |
| 19. | "Sugar Daddy" (Cuban Link featuring Mya) | Felix Delgado | Tiger | 4:04 |
| 20. | "Paradise" (DJ Mayumi Remix) |
|
| 2:58 |
| Total length: | 78:46 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "My Perfect Mix" | Hosted by Mya | DJ Hasebe | 59:38 |
Personnel
editCredits adapted from the liner notes of Sugar & Spice.[15]
Visuals and imagery
- Art direction and design – Courtney Walter
- Hair stylist – Frederick Parnell
- Make-up – Aminata Gueye
- Photography – Marc Baptiste
- Stylist – Kithe Brewster
Technical and production
- Engineering – Mya Harrison
- Mastering – Mike Mo
- Mixing – Mike Mo
Charts
edit| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan Top Albums Sales (Billboard Japan)[16] | 45 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[17] | 53 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Edition(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | December 3, 2008 | Standard |
|
[18] | |
| August 5, 2009 | The Perfect Edition | [12] |
References
edit- ^ a b Bass, Andrew (August 15, 2007). "Interview: Mya, R&B Sensation". Associated Content. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
- ^ Nero, Mark Edward (January 1, 2007). "2007 R&B Music Preview". About.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
- ^ "Mya Talks 'K.I.S.S.' Deluxe Album, New 'Catty' Single, & Trina Collabo". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ "More Hot Records! Arkatech Beatz Working With MYA!". Official Arkatech Beatz website. March 25, 2009. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
- ^ "Mýa: More Than A Songstress". W.A.N.T.S. Lifestyle. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
- ^ "Paradise - Single". iTunes. December 3, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
- ^ "Mya Interview with 4EightMedia". four8media.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
- ^ a b "Mya's Last Dance?". Rolling Out. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Maia: "Girls need sugar and spices"". Japan Music Network (in Japanese). Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ a b "Maia completes the strongest super catchy & beautiful melody album". Japan Music Network (in Japanese). Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Sugar & Spice". HMV Japan. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- ^ a b "Sugar & Spice (The Perfect Edition)". HMV Japan. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- ^ "Maia's first performance in Japan". Japan Music Network (in Japanese). Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Video: Mya – 'Paradise'". Rap-Up. November 17, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ^ Sugar & Spice (CD liner). Mya. Planet 9, Manhattan Records. 2008.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Top Albums Sales". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ シュガー＆スパイス －パーフェクト・エディション－ [Sugar & Spice The Perfect Edition/Mya] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
- ^ "Sugar & Spice". iTunes. December 3, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2011.