Soulful

by Ruben Studdard

Overview

Ruben Studdard won the second American Idol competition in 2003, but by the time he released his debut album, Soulful, in December of that year, it seemed like he was the runner-up to Clay Aiken, the competition's second-place contestant. Clay captured the heart of the preteen girls at the core of AmIdol's audience, since he was the perfect make-believe boyfriend: kinda cute, skinny and nonthreatening, singing songs of puppy love. Ruben was kinda cute, gigantic and nonthreatening, singing songs styled after his idol Luther Vandross -- soulful late-night grooves that didn't quite fit the old-fashioned pop sensibilities of American Idol. Studdard's consistently satisfying, easygoing performances and taste for material slightly older than the AmIdol demographic made him a favorite of the judges, and a favorite of an audience wanting to prove that the show wasn't just churning out prefabricated pop stars. Throughout the season, Ruben was favored to win -- sometimes even singing as if the outcome was a foregone conclusion -- but Clay had a serious surge of support that threatened to knock Studdard out of the catbird's seat. Aiken's popularity continued to grow even after he lost the competition, causing the label to scrap plans for the pair to release competing albums on the same day, since when the duo simultaneously released singles -- both crawling, undistinguished adult contemporary ballads -- Clay bested Ruben. Since it would be poor form for the winner to lose on a large scale, the dueling discs were pushed aside and Studdard was given extra time to work on his debut, making it less MOR, well, more Soulful. This was a smart move, since it drew a clear distinction between him and Aiken while appealing to the urban audience that always loved Ruben's Luther-isms. Also, by targeting the album at urban audiences, the producers gave Ruben a set of tracks heavy on slow grooves and sensual feel, not songs that would require him to stretch his vocal limits. In other words, most of Soulful consists of cuts that are about the feel of the production, from the shiny surfaces to the languid late-night beats, and not on songs that have strong, memorable verses and choruses. This works to the album's favor, at least as a piece of cohesive product, since it maintains a steady groove and feel from beginning to end. However, it does so by drawing attention away from Ruben's voice. Perhaps it was the constant work -- the show, followed by recording, followed by touring, followed by more recording -- but Studdard's voice is not nearly as impressive on record as it was on the show, rarely sounding velvety and smooth, but rather sounding flat, thin, and raspy. This is most evident on the covers, particularly since he tackles songs associated with rich, robust singers. Compare his "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" to that of Al Green. In the good Reverend's hands, this classic from the Brothers Gibb soared, but here it's decidedly earthbound, as is his stumbling take on Luther's version of the Carpenters' "Superstar." Surely, this tendency factored into the decision to move Soulful away from songs and toward lush productions and grooves, and while the production work disguises Ruben's weaknesses, they're not entirely hidden, particularly because the de-emphasis on melody oddly draws attention to any fluctuation in his voice. Studdard's problem is that he can't quite hold long notes without wavering (even after pitch correction) and when he scats or improvises, he sounds unsteady and unsure. On the show, Ruben's ease seemed confident and appealing, but on record he sounds tired, even amateurish, two characteristics that prevent him from developing the sure-handed sensuality of his idols Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, and Barry White. Those singers have emotional weight and sound sexy even when not singing about love. Ruben doesn't have that gravitas and he doesn't even particularly sound like he cares about sensuality, so when he tries to indulge in carnality on "What Is Sexy," he sounds clumsy and misguided (it doesn't help that he also sounds a bit winded). Ultimately, Ruben's lack of nuance and sexiness is what prevents Soulful from being more than pleasant background romance music. If judged merely on that level, the album is certainly accomplished -- it is a professional contemporary R&B record, delivering pleasing production style if not substance -- but real lovermen can sell a piece of product like this as if it were the real thing, since they treat each song as if it were the one that will culminate the seduction. On Soulful, Ruben just goes along for the ride, happy that he's gotten this far, convinced that he's already closed the deal. He already won the prize on TV, after all. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	12/09/2003
Label:	J Records
UPC:	0828765463928
Rank:	110165

Tracks

1. Sorry 2004
2. No Ruben
3. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
4. Take the Shot
5. What Is Sexy
6. What If
7. Superstar
8. Can I Get Your Attention
9. For All We Know
10. Play Our Song
11. Don't Quit on Me
12. After the Candles Burn
13. Flying Without Wings
14. We Have Not Forgotten

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ruben Studdard   Primary Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Pretty Tony   Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Cindy Mizelle   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Fred Hammond   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background),Vocals
Rob Mounsey   Guest Artist,Keyboards,Piano,Conductor
Fat Joe   Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Felecia Bowles   Choir/Chorus
Tribe Called Judah   Choir/Chorus
Tanisha J. Cidel   Choir/Chorus
Karie Prescott   Viola
Peter Murray   Piano,Keyboards
Steve Ferrera   Drums
Bob Peterson   Violin
Vincent Lionti   Viola
Michele Richards   Violin
Charlene Kwas   Violin
Jacqueline Bridges   Choir/Chorus
Latanya Bereal   Vocals (Background)
Kevin Milburn   Vocals (Background)
Melissa Bereal   Vocals (Background)
Joseph "Lonny" Bereal   Vocals (Background)
Helen Zeigler   Choir/Chorus
Edward Lawson   Vocals (Background)
A.J. Wright   Choir/Chorus
Crystal Drummer   Vocals (Background)
Evan Wilson   Viola
Josefina Vergara   Violin
Berj Garabedian   Violin
Lawrence Feldman   Flute
Emma Kummrow   Violin
Davis A. Barnett   Viola
Gavyn Wright   Orchestra Leader
Dan Smith   Cello
Richard Sortomme   Violin
Peter Nocella   Viola
Jennie Lorenzo   Cello
Suzie Katayama   Cello
Charlie Bisharat   Violin
Mark Jaimes   Guitar
Ashley Davis   Vocals (Background)
Elena Barere   Violin
Harold Lilly   Vocals (Background)
Ghislaine Fleischmann   Violin
Angela Fisher   Vocals (Background)
Anthony Wilkins   Vocals (Background)
Mark Robertson   Violin
Jamie Brown   Choir/Chorus
Bereal Powell, Cecilia   Vocals (Background)
Larry Gold   Conductor
Greg Phillinganes   Keyboards
Eric Bell   Vocals (Background)
Eric Dawkins   Vocal Director,Vocals (Background)
Peter Gordon   French Horn
James Poyser   Piano
Joey Woolfalk   Guitar
Nathan East   Bass
Olga Konopelsky   Violin
Ricky Lawson   Drums
Igor Szwec   Violin
Joel Bowers   Vocals (Background)
Maxi Anderson   Vocals (Background)
Eric King   Vocals (Background)
Jonathan Dinklage   Violin
Noel Hall   Keyboards
Michael Thompson   Guitar
John Wittenberg   Violin
Alyssa Park   Violin
Barry Finclair   Violin
Richard Locker   Cello
Andrew Kennedy   Vocals (Background)
Sid Page   Violin
Bob Becker   Viola
Kevin Hanson   Guitar
Larry Corbett   Cello
Armen Garabedian   Violin
Cenovia Cummins   Violin
David Earl Miller   Choir/Chorus
Carl Sturken   Guitar,Keyboards

Technical Credits

John McGlinchey   Assistant
Chris LeBeau   Artwork
Bruce Fraser   Engineer
Doc Wiley   Engineer
Felecia Bowles   Group Member
Jason Boyd   Composer
Jason Edmonds   Composer
Tribe Called Judah   Group
Gordon Goss   Assistant Engineer
Tanisha J. Cidel   Group Member
Postmaster   Programming
Melvin Coleman   Composer,Producer
James McMillan   Arranger,Producer
Tony Dixon   Composer
Dino Hermann   Pro-Tools
Alexis Yraola   Design,Art Direction
Alex Reverberi   Engineer
Kev Mahoney   Assistant Engineer
Steve Conover   Engineer
Hart Gunther   Assistant Engineer
Gerard Thomas   Composer,Producer
Kevin Hicks   Composer,Producer
Kwaku Alston   Photography
Kamel Abdo   Engineer
Jacqueline Bridges   Group Member
Latanya Bereal   Vocal Contractor
Steve Fisher   Assistant
Helen Zeigler   Group Member
Simon Fuller   Management
Kirk Robinson   Composer
The Underdogs   Group,Producer,Instrumentation
Kevin KD Davis   Mixing
Tim Roberts   Assistant
Al Hemberger   Mixing,Engineer
Brian Springer   Engineer
Lil Ronnie   Producer,Instrumentation
Vincent Dilorenzo   Engineer
Barry Gibb   Composer
Keri Hilson   Composer
Malcolm Pollack   Engineer
Jonn Savannah   Pro-Tools
Steve Churchyard   Engineer
Steve Mac   Composer
Evan Rogers   Producer
Clive Davis   Producer
Joe Sample   Composer
Jazze Pha   Producer
Leon Russell   Composer
Jon Smeltz   Mixing
Robin Gibb   Composer
Jeffrey Atkins   Composer
Maurice Gibb   Composer
Tommie Walker   Drum Programming
Dabling Harward   Editing,Engineer
Harold Lilly   Composer,Producer,Vocal Producer
Terrence Cash   Assistant Engineer
David Campbell   Arranger,String Arrangements
Chandler Bridges   Pro-Tools
Mark Rooney   Composer
Jamie Brown   Group Member
PamKenyon Donald   Production Manager
David Ashton   Pro-Tools,Vocal Engineer
Ronnie Jackson   Composer
Andrea Derby   Production Coordination
Fred Hammond   Drum Programming,Mixing,Composer
Larry Gold   String Arrangements
Vidal Davis   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Instrumentation
Eric Dawkins   Composer
Ryan Toby   Composer
Mark Morales   Composer
Wayne Hector   Composer
Johnta Austin   Composer
Rob Chiarelli   Mixing
Larry Jackson   A&R
June Ambrose   Stylist
Rob Mounsey   String Arrangements
Rich Keller   Mixing
Richard Marx   Composer
Ray Hammond   Mixing Engineer
Noel Hall   Composer
Mike Davis   Assistant
Kasseem Dean   Composer
Mike "Hitman" Wilson   Engineer
Jim Bottari   Engineer,String Engineer
John Frye   Mixing
Damon Thomas   Composer,Producer,Group Member
Harvey Mason, Jr.   Composer,Producer,Group Member
Irv Gotti   Composer,Producer
Serban Ghenea   Mixing
Paul Boutin   Engineer
Andre Harris   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Instrumentation
Swizz Beatz   Producer
Bonnie Bramlett   Composer
Kevin Wilson   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
J. Fred Coots   Composer
David Earl Miller   Group Member
Leslie Brathwaite   Mixing
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
Will Jennings   Composer
Carl Sturken   Producer