Waking Up (Maryanne Ito album)
| Waking Up | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by Maryanne Ito | |
| Released | June 5, 2014 |
| Recorded | 2014 |
| Genre | R&B, hip hop, soul |
| Label | Scribal Tracings LLC |
Waking Up is a studio album self-released by singer-songwriter Maryanne Ito on June 5, 2014. It peaked at No. 4 on the UK Soul Chart.[1][2] The Star Advertiser praised the album,[3] and it peaked at No. 4 on the UK Soul Chart.[1] Waking Up was then named the Best R&B Album of the Year at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in 2015.[4]
History
Production
Throughout of the beginning of 2014 Ito continued to write for other artists, while also working on her debut album.[5] Engineered at Primaphonix Studio by DJ Sub-Zero,[6] among the other producers and sound engineers brought in to help on the album were members of members of the Stone Groove Family, The Level, Slapp Symphony, RSL and Thirst4Worst.[7] The track "Don't Be Afraid" included instrumentation from guitarist David Yamasaki, with several other guest artists contributing as well.[6]
Release and reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Star Advertiser | (positive)[3] |
Titled Waking Up, an official release party for the album was held in April 2014, hosted by her long-term collaborator DJ Bennie James.[7] She initially toured Hawaii in support of the album with local group The Astatine Collective.[1] The official release took place in June, and the album peaked at No. 4 on the UK Soul Chart six weeks after being released.[1] On October 13, 2014, the album was still holding its position on the UK Soul Chart at No. 30.[2]
John Berger of the Star Advertiser gave the album a positive review,[8] explaining that many of the songs have "slow rhythms, introspective lyrics and heavy, solid bass lines. Ito and her producers... toss in an uptempo dance club cut as well." Berger also praised the timbre of her voice, calling it "distinctive, sweet and sexy."[3] On May 23, 2015, Waking Up was named the Best R&B Album of the Year at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.[4]
Track listing
All music composed by Maryanne Ito.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "How I Feel (DJ Bennie James Radio Edit)" | 2:48 |
| 2. | "Feeling You" | 3:46 |
| 3. | "Waking Up" | 3:00 |
| 4. | "Sure Shot Love" | 3:14 |
| 5. | "Flutelude" (feat. Tupu) | 0:44 |
| 6. | "Don't Be Afraid" (feat. David Yamasaki) | 3:48 |
| 7. | "With U" | 3:14 |
| 8. | "Take Care of You" | 3:10 |
| 9. | "No Words" (feat. Daniel Sauls) | 3:57 |
| 10. | "Saxlude" (feat. Tupu) | 1:09 |
| 11. | "You Got Me Feeling" | 3:29 |
| 12. | "Good to Me" (feat. Devaun) | 4:16 |
| 13. | "Better Than You" | 2:36 |
| 14. | "Don't Be Afraid (UK Soulful House Mix)" | 6:04 |
| 15. | "Wow Outro" | 4:56 |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Na Hoku Hanohano Awards | Waking Up | Best R&B Album of the Year | Won |
Charts
| Year | Chart | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK R&B Chart[1][2] | 4 |
Personnel
- Maryanne Ito - primary artist
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Hitt, Christine (October 25, 2014). "Maryanne Ito and the Astatine Collective". Hallowballo. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- 1 2 3 "UK Soul Chart Top 30". Afro-disiac.co.uk. October 13, 2014. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- 1 2 3 Berger, John (August 5, 2014). "Island Mele: 'Waking Up' by Maryanne Ito". Honolulu Pulse. Star Advertiser. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- 1 2 "2015 Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winners". Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. May 24, 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-07.
- ↑ "With U". New2Soul. May 16, 2014. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- 1 2 Kieszkowski, Elizabeth (April 11, 2014). "Soul songstress Ito hopes for wider audience". Honolulu Pulse. Star Advertiser. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- 1 2 Kieszkowski, Elizabeth (April 4, 2014). "Freestyle: Honolulu's got soul". Honolulu Pulse. Star Advertiser. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
- ↑ Berger, John (November 7, 2014). "Sweet voice and romantic words lift Ito's impressive debut album". Star Advertiser. Retrieved 2014-11-07.