"Last Night" is a song by American R&B group Az Yet, produced by Babyface and Mervyn Warren, and released as the first single from the group's debut album, Az Yet (1996). The song, released by LaFace and Arista Records, became the group's first hit, reaching number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, and number four on the Billboard Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover chart. Additionally, it reached number two in Australia, number six in New Zealand, and number eight in the Netherlands. The song was also included on The Nutty Professor soundtrack.
Critical reception Larry Flick from Billboard magazine named the song "yet another gem" from the soundtrack to The Nutty Professor. He added, "Az Yet is a charismatic male quintet that aims to come across as a mature alternative to the army of smooth groups currently vying to harmonize their way to the platinum land owned by Boyz II Men. Honey-soaked notes are poured over old-school soul music carrying the unmistakable stamp of producer/writer Babyface (does this man ever take a nap?). Engaging as can be." Peter Miro from Cash Box felt that "Last Night" "is the most potent offering on their 12-track collection of ballads, with lyrics ladies will cling to endlessly." A reviewer from Music Week rated the song four out of five, adding that "the Philadelphia soul quintet show they are the masters of close harmony vocalising on this seductive debut". Ralph Tee from the magazine's RM Dance Update said, "Already a Billboard hit, and also on the Nutty Professor soundtrack it's a touch MOR vocally, though the harmonies are the standout feature beneath the shuffle beat rhythms."
Music video There are two versions of the song's accompanying music video; one with clips from The Nutty Professor and the other without.
Personnel Personnel are adapted from the album's liner notes.Az Yet (CD liner notes) – LaFace Records 73008-26034-2 Az Yet: vocals Babyface: writing, production, keyboards and drum programming Keith Andes: writing, production, keyboards and drum programming Mervyn Warren: co-production (vocals) Brad Gilderman: engineering Kyle Bess, Paul Boutin: assistant engineering (recording) Jon Gass: mixing Paul Boutin, Dave Hancock: assistant engineering (mixing) Randy Walker: midi programming Ivy Skoff: production coordination
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1996–1997) PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100) 85US Billboard Hot 100 9US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 1US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) 5US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard) 36US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard) 4US Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996 6
Year-end charts Chart (1996) PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 52US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 25US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard) 36 Chart (1997)PositionAustralia (ARIA) 23US Billboard Hot 100 71US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 56US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard) 53
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United States1996Rhythmic contemporary radioOctober 15, 1996Contemporary hit radioJapanOctober 23, 1996CD
See also R&B number-one hits of 1996 (USA)
References