The B-Funk is the debut studio album by the British R&B and soul singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. It was released on 26 November 1995 by independent record label Dome Records.

The B-Funk
Studio album by
Released2 November 1995
GenreR&B, British soul, pop
Length65:01
LabelDome
Producer
Beverley Knight chronology
The B-Funk
(1995)
Prodigal Sista
(1998)
Singles from The B-Funk
  1. "Flavour of the Old School"
    Released: 27 March 1995
  2. "Down for the One"
    Released: 21 August 1995
  3. "Moving On Up (On the Right Side)"
    Released: 11 March 1996
  4. "Mutual Feeling"
    Released: 28 October 1996
  5. "Cast All Your Cares"
    Released: 24 March 1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Guardian[2]
Muzik[3]

Release and reception

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The B-Funk was released in November 1995 on independent record label Dome Records. It received wide critical acclaim by the urban media in Britain with Echoes magazine labelling it "the best British soul album ever" and Billboard magazine stating that "this lady is on her way to becoming an international star."[4] The album was also named Album of the Year by Blues & Soul in 1996, also earning Knight R&B Act of the Year at the 1996 Black Music Awards in London. However, the commercial success of the album did not match its critical acclaim, peaking at number 145 on the UK Albums Chart. In total, six singles were released from the album, including two releases of "Flavour of the Old School" and a limited edition international release of "Cast All Your Cares."

The album was the only LP released by Knight on Dome Records. After creative differences with the label, Knight decided to leave and sign a new contract with Parlophone Records in 1997. To capitalise on Knight's increased success at the label, Dome have subsequently re-released The B-Funk several times—the first being on 31 May 1999, after Knight won two awards at the MOBO Awards, and then again on 8 May 2006, after the top 10 success of her hits collection, Voice - The Best of Beverley Knight. On both occasions, the album was re-released with bonus remixes of the singles.

Track listing

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The B-Funk – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The B-Funk"Knight2B3 Productions1:10
2."Moving on Up (On the Right Side)"
  • W. Jones
  • S. Jones
Ethnic Boyz5:09
3."Mutual Feeling"
  • Knight
  • Tony Olabode
  • Victor Redwood-Sawyer
  • Blak Twang
  • V.R.S.
4:53
4."Flavour of the Old School"
  • Knight
  • Neville Thomas
  • Pule Pheto
2B3 Productions4:46
5."Remedy"
  • Irmgard Klarmann
  • Felix Weber
  • Klarmann
  • Weber
4:07
6."Down for the One"
  • Knight
  • Thomas
  • Pheto
2B3 Productions5:16
7."Steppin' On My Shoes"
  • Knight
  • C. Burke
  • Flowers
  • D. Burke
  • Colin Burke
  • Dwayne Burke
4:43
8."Promise You Forever"
  • Knight
  • Thomas
  • Pheto
2B3 Productions5:52
9."It's Your Time"
  • Knight
  • Swain
2B3 Productions4:26
10."So Happy"
  • Knight
  • Thomas
  • Pheto
2B3 Productions4:34
11."Cast All Your Cares"
  • Knight
  • Thomas
  • Pheto
2B3 Productions5:15
12."U've Got It"
  • Klarmann
  • Weber
  • Klarmann
  • Weber
4:36
13."In Time"
  • Knight
  • Swain
2B3 Productions4:49
14."Goodbye Innocence"Knight2B3 Productions5:11
The B-Funk – Reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
15."Flavour of the Old School" (Club Remix)4:58
16."Moving on Up" (Ethnic Boyz Remix)5:14
The B-Funk – Special edition (disc 2)
No.TitleLength
1."Flavour of the Old School" (Club Remix)4:58
2."Down for the One" (2B3 Retro Mix)5:15
3."Moving on Up" (Ethnic Boyz Remix)5:14
4."Moving on Up" (Ee Bee's Rap Remix)5:38
5."Mutual Feeling" (Monroe's Remix)5:12
6."Mutual Feeling" (D-Lux Remix)5:05

Charts

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Chart (1995) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[5] 145
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[6] 20

References

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  1. ^ AllMusic review
  2. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (27 October 1995). "Music: CD releases - Pop". The Guardian.
  3. ^ Jones, Bob (January 1996). "Beverley Knight: The B-Funk" (PDF). Muzik. No. 8. p. 103. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  4. ^ Review. - Review Archived 2005-01-22 at the Wayback Machine. Echoes Magazine and Billboard reactions, detailed on Dome Records website. Retrieved 1 May 2006.
  5. ^ "Beverley Knight | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  6. ^ 5, 1995/115/ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2020.