Total is the debut album by American female R&B trio Total. It was released by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records on February 13, 1996, in the United States. Chiefly produced by Bad Boy head Sean "Puffy" Combs, the album peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard 200 and reached the top five of the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Total was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and spawned the hit singles "Can't You See", "No One Else", "Kissin' You" and "Do You Think About Us"/"When Boy Meets Girl".
Critical reception
AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that "while the album is simply too long to sustain the quality" of their previous "singles "Can't You See" and "No One Else," most of the record is filled with deep, seductive funk that follows through on the group's promise." Entertainment Weeklys Dimitri Ehrlich wrote that "with a buttery delivery and enough sass to kill an elephant, this trio of hip-hop/soul vixens gives TLC good cause to be frightened. Brimming with irresistibly funky loops and gritty grooves, the self-titled Total is a pleasure from start to finish. Rap assists from label mate The Notorious B.I.G. are the cherry on top." Connie Johnson from the Los Angeles Times felt that "the three singers themselves generate little heat. The vocals on the best cuts, 'Can't You See' and 'Do You Think About Us?,' mostly evoke Faith Evans and T-Boz of TLC. Except for the lasciviousness of 'Who Is This,' Total doesn't distinguish itself from other divas."
Track listing
Sample credits "Do You Know" contains a sample from "Same Beat (Part 1)" as performed by Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s. "No One Else" contains a sample from "South Bronx" as performed by KRS-1. "Can't You See" contains elements from "The Payback" as performed by James Brown. "Someone like You" contains a sample from "Save their Souls" as performed by Hamilton Bohannon. "Tell Me" contains a sample from "Help Somebody Please" as performed by The O'Jays. "Love Is All We Need" contains excerpts from "Atomic Dog" as performed by George Clinton. "Don't Ever Change" samples "Computer Love" as performed by Zapp. "Spend Some Time" contains a sample from "Love TKO" as performed by Teddy Pendergrass. "When Boy Meets Girl" incorporates re-recorded portions of "Love You Inside Out" as written and performed by The Bee Gees.
Credits
Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander – Flute, Mixing Eddie Alford – guitar Bob Brockman – mixing Gerry Brown – mixing Sean "Puffy" Combs – executive producer, producer, remixing, Voices Lane Craven – engineer Da Brat – rap Stephen Dent – engineer Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott – producer Dan Evans – production coordination Guzman (Constance Hansen and Russell Peacock) – Photography Chad Hugo – producer Stevie J. – producer Julian Jackson – drums, engineer, keyboards, percussion, programming Rodney Jerkins – remixing D. Jones – vocals (Background) Steve Jordan – producer Paul Logus – engineer, mixing Pam Long – Voices Tammy Lucas – vocal producer Keith M. – vocals (Background)
Tony Maserati – engineer, mixing Keenya Mauldin – Hair Stylist Alisha Melvin – Hair Stylist Herb Middleton – keyboards Nasheim Myrick – engineer Axel Niehaus – engineer, mixing Jean Claude "Poke" Olivier – producer Sybil Pennix – Assistant Producer, Stylist, Executive Producer Herb Powers – Mastering Terri Robinson – producer, vocals (Background) Raphael Saadiq – guitar (Bass), Producer, Vocals (Background) LaTrice Shaw – production coordination Rashad Smith – producer Eric Spearman – make-up Kevin Thomas – engineer Chucky Thompson – guitar, keyboards, producer Total – vocals (Background) Richard Travali – engineer Pharrell Williams – producer Doug Wilson – engineer
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1996) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1996) Position US Billboard 200 166 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 27
Certifications
References