Butterfly

by Mariah Carey

Overview

Upon its release, Butterfly was interpreted as Mariah Carey's declaration of independence from her ex-husband (and label president) Tommy Mottola, and to a certain extent, that's true. Butterfly is peppered with allusions to her troubled marriage and her newfound freedom, and the music is supposed to be in tune with contemporary urban sounds instead of adult contemporary radio. Nevertheless, it feels like a Mariah Carey album, which means that it's a collection of hit singles surrounded by classy filler. What is surprising about Butterfly is the lack of up-tempo dance-pop. Apart from the Puffy Combs-produced "Honey," Butterfly is devoted to ballads, and while they are all well-crafted, many of them blend together upon initial listening. Subsequent plays reveal that Carey's vocals are sultrier and more controlled than ever, and that helps "Butterfly," "Break Down," "Babydoll," and the Prince cover, "The Beautiful Ones," rank among her best; also, the ballads do have a stronger urban feel than before. Even though Butterfly doesn't have as many strong singles as Daydream, it's one of her best records, illustrating that Carey is continuing to improve and refine her music, which makes her a rarity among her '90s peers. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/20/2017
Label:	Columbia / Legacy
UPC:	0889854563011
Rank:	35714

Tracks

1. Honey
2. Butterfly
3. My All
4. The Roof
5. Fourth of July
6. Breakdown
7. Babydoll
8. Close My Eyes
9. Whenever You Call
10. Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise)
11. The Beautiful Ones
12. Outside

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mariah Carey   Primary Artist,Vocals,Co-Producer,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Krayzie Bone   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals,Lead Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Dru Hill   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Wish Bone   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals,Lead Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Da Brat   Primary Artist,Vocals
JD   Primary Artist
Mase   Guest Artist,Vocals
Trey Lorenz   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
The LOX   Vocals
Kelly Price   Vocals (Background)
Cory Rooney   Keyboards,Co-Producer
David Morales   Co-Producer
Jermaine Dupri   Vocals
Melonie Daniels   Vocals (Background)
Walter Afanasieff   Keyboards,Synthesizer
Stevie J   Keyboards
Michael Ciro   Guitar
Dan Shea   Drums,Keyboards,Sound Effects
Manuel Seal, Jr.   Co-Producer
Steven Jordan   Keyboards
Nathaniel Townsley   Drums
Clarence   Vocals (Background)
Michael Phillips   EWI,Synthesizer
Clarence ?   Vocals (Background)
Mary Ann Tatum   Vocals (Background)
Peter "Ski" Schwartz   Keyboards
Mike Cirro   Guitar (Electric)
Peter Schwartz   Keyboards
Gary Montoute   Organ (Hammond)
Artie Reynolds   Guitar (Bass)
Donald Parker   Piano,Keyboards
Devante   Vocals,Keyboards

Technical Credits

Tony Maserati   Mixing,Mixing Engineer
B.J. Robinson   Composer
Ken Ross   Assistant Engineer,Engineer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Cory Rooney   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Drum Programming,Keyboard Programming
D. Morales   Composer
Dru Hill   Arranger
Doug Wilson   Engineer
David Morales   Mixing,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Mariah Carey   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Ron Grant   Arranger,Arranger
Sass Jordan   Composer
Sean Combs   Composer,Producer
Jermaine Dupri   Producer,Mixing Engineer
Poke & Tone   Producer,Drum Programming
Poke   Producer
Prince   Composer
Q-Tip   Drum Programming
Bernie Taupin   Composer
Walter Afanasieff   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Programming
Michael Thompson   Photography,Photography
Mick Guzauski   Mixing,Mixing Engineer
The Ummah   Producer
Kamaal Fareed   Composer
Mike Scott   Mixing,Engineer,Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Oswald Bowe   Assistant Engineer
Missy Elliott   Composer
Tone   Producer
Stevie J   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming,Keyboard Programming
Mike Perry   Photography
Greg Thompson   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Alex Lowe   Engineer
Ann Mincieli   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Dan Shea   Programming,Sound Design,Drum Programming,Rhythm Programming
Dana Jon Chappelle   Engineer
Al Henderson   Composer
Steven Jordan   Composer,Producer
Kejuan Muchita   Composer
Franklyn Grant   Engineer
Elton John   Composer
Jean-Claude Olivier   Composer
S. Barnes   Composer
Satoshi Tomiie   Arranger,Producer
Phil Tan   Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Richard Travali   Engineer
Puff Daddy   Producer
Albert Cabrera   Producer
Glen Marchese   Engineer
Vlado Meller   Mastering
Chris Abell   Project Coordinator
David Gleeson   Engineer
Herb Powers   Mastering
Bill Esses   Engineer
Chris Apostle   Project Coordinator
Ian Dalsemer   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Barbara Stout   Assistant
Christopher Austopchuk   Art Direction
Doug A.E. Wilson   Engineer
Ron Jaramillo   Design
David Sussman   Engineer
Steve Jones   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Franklin Grant   Engineer
Mike Wilson   Engineer
Steven Howse   Composer
Charles Scruggs   Composer
Albert Johnson   Composer
Oliver Bone   Engineer