Tonight is the third studio album by American R&B group Silk, released on March 23, 1999 on Elektra Entertainment. It was their first album in four years and the reason for the break was due to the group wanting to be more involved in the creative process. Another reason for the hiatus was due to the lackluster performance of their previous album Silk (1995), which caused the group to seek new management after dealing with financial and legal issues. After severing ties with their former managers, they were managed by Sonja Norwood, mother of singer/actress Brandy. They were soon given the green light to record a new album by Elektra's then-president Sylvia Rhone, who let them take their time to record the album until they had the right songs.

Most of the production duties were split between group member Gary Jenkins and producer Darrell "Delite" Allamby. The latter was brought in due to his previous work with Gerald Levert, Busta Rhymes and LSG. Additional production was provided by Maurice Wilcher, Steve "Million Dollar Man" Morales, and Donald Parks. Tonight peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard 200 and number eight on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album spawned the hit single "If You", which peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their biggest hit since "Freak Me" (1993) and follow-up "Meeting In My Bedroom". Tonight proved to be their second most successful album, right behind their 1992 debut Lose Control. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1999.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found Tonight "a little predictable. If you're at all familiar with the previous two records, you know what to expect lyrically and musically from every track on the record, and chances are, you won't be too disappointed by this slightly over-produced, ballad-heavy set. The uninitiated may find the constant sex talk a little ridiculous and monotonous, but they'll likely groove on Darrell "Delite" Allamby's production, which updates classic '70s soul and funk. It can be a little glossy and glib, as well as a little lightweight in the songwriting department, but that Allamby production makes Tonight fairly effective romantic mood music – even with Silk's vocal histrionics." Entertainment Weekly Dimiti Ehrlich foiund that "Silk's five-part harmonies are impressive, and their music exudes bright-eyed enthusiasm. But there isn't a shred of originality in their lyrics, and their tendency toward the pop side of R&B makes them sound more like Boyz II Men than boyz from the hood." USA Today critic Steve Jones found thath "Silk is skilled at setting things off. There's quite a bit of soul wrapped up in this smooth musical fabric."

Commercial performance Tonight opened and peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard 200. It also reached number eight on Billboards Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Silk's third consecutive album to reached the top ten. On June 4, 1999, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It reached platinum status on November 19, 1999, marking shipments of 1.0 million units.

Track listing

Notes signifies a co-producer signifies an additional producer

Personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes of Tonight.

Performers and musicians

Darrell "Delite" Allamby – background vocals, keyboards, programming Anthony "A.D." Donelson – guitar Kenneth "Kenny Flav" Dickerson – keyboards, programming Jerry Flowers – drum programming Ben "Smooth" Howe – keyboards, programming Gary Jenkins – guitar, keyboards, programming Avery Johnson – drum programming Link – background vocals Terrence T. Nelson – drum programming Ninja – guitar Paul Pesco – guitar Zack Scott – drums Silk – background vocals Maurice Wilcher – keyboards, programming

Technical

Darrell "Delite" Allamby – executive producer, engineer Alli – art direction and design Kwaku Alston – photography Ben Arrindell – engineer Chris Diaz – recording engineer Kenneth "Kenny Flav" Dickerson – engineer Paul Fleming – recording engineer John Grimes – recording engineer Shawn Grove – recording engineer Bryan Kinkead – recording engineer Paul Logus – mixing engineer Rico Lumpkins – engineer Vernon Mungo – engineer Terrence T. Nelson – recording engineer Herb Powers – mastering engineer Silk – executive producer Brian Smith – recording engineer Jason Stokes – recording engineer Darryl Williams – executive producer Jimmy Zupano – recording engineer

Charts

Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Tonight Chart (1999) Peakposition

Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for Tonight Chart (1999) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)33

Certifications

Release history + Tonight release history Region Date Format Label United States March 23, 1999 Elektra

References