Toni Braxton

Secrets by Toni Braxton is her most beloved and best-selling album of her career. This album is pretty good but it's also a mixed bag as well. After a thousand listens to, Un-Break my Heart is just plain nauseating! You're Making Me High is probably her strongest single ever, love those naughty lyrics and pulsating beat. How Could An Angel Break My Heart is a beautiful ballad which was co-written by Braxton. The rest of the songs are pretty ordinary and jeez most of the time I can't understand what she is singing, she needs to enuicate her words. This album is a great flashback to the mid-90s but that's pretty much it.

I SO LOVE THIS ALBUM THIS IS MY FAVORITE TONI BRAXTON ALBUM AND ALSO HER FIRST ALBUM IS ALSO MY FAVORITE TO WHAT CAN I SAY THIS ALBUM IS AWSOME

Toni Braxton came out with her sophomore album, Secrets, in June 1996. Toni revealed a more sexier, yet classier image, and it was reflected on each of these songs. A few songs that stand out on the album are the title track, How could an Angel Break My Heart, There's No Me Without You, and You're Making Me High. A few standout ballads would be In the Late of Night, which was written by Jon B. Another ballad that sticks out from this album is Find Me a Man. Secrets is definitely Toni Braxton at her finest. This cd is definitely a good one that shouldn't be kept secret!!!!!!

Highlights are You're Making Me High, Talking In His Sleep, Find Me A Man, Let It Flow, Why Should I Care, Come On Over Here and I Love Me Some Him.

Filler? Not a lot, but Un-break My Heart comes close and In The Late Of Night/Toni's Secrets is OK and nothing to speak of. So I guess that means no filler! ^_^;;

Cover Art: A-
Songwriting: B+
Vocals: B-
Vocal Emotion: A-
Production: B+

Overall: 4.375

4.375 = 4.38

4.38 stars.

When any artist's first album is so on fire as Toni Braxton's debut was, it's a pretty safe assumption that subsequent releases will have a hard time living up to it, and that, to a moderate extent, is the case here. She still had some fire left in her, as evidenced on the hip-hoppish but respectable hit "You're Makin' Me High" and the emotional ballad "Unbreak My Heart". Also good are the ballad "Let It Flow" and the sultry, teasing ditty "Talking In His Sleep." Unfortunately, before she had a chance to make a third album, the bankruptcy set in, and since then she has been just a shell of her former self on every album she's made after this one.

This album is great! It includes all of Toni's biggest hits & the sound is incredible.

Toni Braxton is a fantastic singer. The music keeps you dancing and makes you think you are at one of her concerts.

The cd is ok and I love the way Toni Braxton sings. She has a smooth and soulful voice.

All the best of Toni!! This is a fan's CD. It's also got an unreleased song on the disc that is hot!! If you love Toni, you've gotta have this.

I've always been a huge fan of Toni. Growing up in a house with teenage sisters who embraced everything R&B and Hip-Hop I was initiated into the world of R&B music at a very young age. In fact it was only peer pressure ("you're White; listen to Rock") that moved me to embrace the Rock music that filters through my car stereo at large intervals. I have never though been able to shake the love I have for this style of music, and Toni Braxton, with her masculine voice and devilish good looks is one of the best in the business. This collection of some of her best work is truly a great way to go.

There's a nice balance of up-tempo club worthy tracks and sizzling ballads to please the listener in this collection. Braxton's early work like `Breathe Again' and `Another Sad Love Song' are sure to excite her fans. In fact most every song on `Ultimate Toni Braxton' is really the best she has to offer.

It's easy for fans to be entranced by the opening `Give You My Heart', the dance track featuring Babyface (who was also quite popular in the 90's). `He Wasn't Man Enough for Me' carry that same up-beat vibe and songs like `You're Making Me High' take Braxton's sizzling sensuality to a whole new level and work to make you all sorts of `warm and fuzzy'. `Hot The Freeway' with Loon (doesn't he sound like Mace?) is a decent Hip-Hop track, but it's not as strong as her more low tempo work.

Yes, Braxton was made popular by her baritone purr on steamy ballads like `Un-Break My Heart' where her words are delivered with a thick chocolate-like coating. There are so many ballads here worthy of our attention, `Love Shoulda Brought you Home', `I Love Me Some Him', `Let it Flow', `How Many Ways'; all of which are notable tracks, but the best of the breed fall in tracks like `Just Be a Man About It' or even better yet `You Mean the World to Me', classic R&B staples that stand the test of time and still prove to be great songs even today. Speaking of classics there is the blisteringly beautiful `I Don't Want To' a song that defines everything that makes Toni Braxton an R&B legend.

There are also two new tracks, a live track and a remix on the album. Of the two new tracks I'd probably say that `Whatchu Need' is the better. It's an up-tempo Hip-Hop track that delivers. `The Little Things' is a good ballad but it sounds too familiar, like she's sung it before. `Seven Whole Days' is the live track and it still sounds wonderful (it was probably mastered) so kudos for that. `Un-Break My Heart, the Soul-Hex Anthem Radio Mix' is atrocious though. I hate to say that about anything Braxton but I abhor remixes of this nature. They completely ruin the song trying to make a techno club heavy track.

That one snafu aside though and you have a wonderful little collection of an R&B goddesses best work; truly something worthy of your CD collection.

That being said, there are a few standout tracks:

Babyface/Toni Braxton with "Give You My Heart" was one of Toni's first major appearances on the national scene. I've heard better from both artist but this track is significant for that reason alone. My favorites from this soundtrack was Aaron Hall/Charlie Wilson's "Everything Is Going To Be Alright", Johnny Gill's "There You Go", "Reversal Of A Dog" with Highland Place Mobsters & a very young TLC and "Feels Like Heaven" from Kenny Vaughan & 'The Art Of Love'. I think that BoyzIIMen's famous song "End Of The Road" & "Hot Sex" from A Tribe Called Quest is here as well.

The rest of the soundtrack was listenable but nothing that sticks out. The music I named is what I remember best. Overall, it does bring back feelings from my last days of high school and that summer going into college. Its actually 5 stars for the nostalgia but the actual CD gets a 3 star rating. Still worth it though if you were a fan of New Jack Swing or want to know what it was like back in the late 80's to early 90's.

The soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy movie (which I loved) is a very mixed set, which has one moment of pure quiet storm bliss. Whilst she had her moments as a solo performer, (please see her album Toni Braxton this song is ok, nothing more. 'It's Gonna Be Alright' a duet between those two power house vocalists, Aaron Hall, and Charlie Wilson, is not a good vehicle to showcase their talents. Things pick up with the Keith Washington 'Tonight is Right' (also check out his excellent debut CD Make Time for Love. The less said about PM Dawn the better (very weak) and the Grace Jones offering. 'End of the Road', was a massive hit for Boyz to Men, which still gets airplay today, but I found it too sweet for my liking. I loved the funky' Reversal of a Dog, featuring Left Eye of TLC, and Dallas Austin's group (Highland Place Mob, I think)
Toni Braxton second offering 'Love Should've Brought You Home', was a anthem for dogged women the world over, and was a minor hit for the artist. BUT I brought this on the strength of ONE song. 'There you Go;, the LA/Babyface penned & produced track, is a MUST have for any lover of quiet storm moments. Even now, 15 years later, I can remember when my Boy in my local record shop played this for me. After that I didn't listen to the rest of the CD that was enough for me. The only other hot track on here is Hot Sex', by A Tribe Called Quest. Ruff. All in all a mixed bag, with one jewel included.

The first track seems to be hard to find anywhere else but here, and so for the wonderful songwriting talents of Babyface, the album was worth its secondhand purchase price.

The other songs are listenable, but not exceptional.

This is my message to everyone who does not own Boomerang the Soundtrack or the movie; PLEASE GO AND PURCHASE THEM. This movie is a classic and the CD. The funniest song is by Grace Jones, she makes me laugh like crazy, but her lyrics go along with the movie itself. Listen to "Reversal of a Dog", which talks about how Eddie Murphy was dogged out or what is called reversal of another dog whom is Robin Givens. The most romantic songs are by Johnny Gill called "There U Go" and by Keith Washington called "Tonight is Right". This is just some beautiful music! I had both the movie and the soundtrack on what we consider modern day recording VHS and cassette tape. I replaced them with DVD and CD. You know the strangest thing that I realized with the movie itself is the fact that the way they dressed back then or for that particular movie is kind of how some of us still dress for our corporate jobs or to go out on a date in 2006. Some folks are still rockin' Halle Berry's signature haircut, sporting the Robin Givens type hairstyle or hair weave, the tailored fitted business suits. Funny! Enjoy that movie and its CD, they are must haves for your your collection. Can you believe that Boomerang came out in 1992, wow that was about 14 years ago. Amazing!

This soundtrack is somewhat mediocre. Most of the songs are typical r'n'b cuts, but unfortunately, the album overall fails. Toni Braxton wasn't a star yet, Boys II Men hit it big time with "End of the Road" and Grace Jones' "7 Day Weekend" remains the highlight of the entire album. Most of the songs are boring, except Braxton's and Jones' tracks there really isn't much to shout hooray for. Mediocre at best.

Very disappointed in this CD. Not the best I've ever heard. Won't be buying any more of her music.

The cd was good in time, from a good quality and nice to listen to.

I SHE IS THE HOTTIES SINGER THERE IS. THE SONGS SHE SINGS SOUNDS LIKE SHE IS RIGHT THERE BESIDE YOU. ONLY (3) THREE SONG I DIDN'T CARE FOR OUT OF 3 CD'S, THAT CAME WITH THE SET. SHE GAVES ALOT OF SOUL IN HER SONGS.

Babyface, you should be ashamed for what you did to this girl! So classy, and what did you get out of it?! You lost her and ended up with Kenny G. Nice going. Oh yeah, you did end up running a huge record company, but still...

When it comes to R&B music in the industry right now, it seems to really be more about acts that are trying to really be more pop-oriented, rather than the real feeling of traditional R&B. That is sad, considering acts like Ashnati, Ciara and Beyonce', really miss out on the simple Soul style that has been constantly overlooked. That also within the past few years also could be said about Toni Braxton. Although she has made incredible music for nearly 15 years now, her era has been overshadowed with financial burdens from bankruptcy, and a recent fallout with her ex-manager Barry Hankerson. Yet, it is just too easy to forget how simple and beautiful her voice have remained, and why her silky-smooth style hasn't lost its luster. Yet, these past few years, there have been several hits records released reflecting her music, and now another one just doesn't want to break hearts.

The 2007 Essential Toni Braxton, is a double-album reflecting her highs and lows, and why her voice has remained relevant in R&B after all this time. This is a compilation that does a very good job reflecting her era from LaFace and Arista throughout the 90's and early 2000's. There are a lot of great tracks here that are highlighted including the #1 smash Un-Break My Heart, Breathe Again, the seductive You're Makin' Me High, the soulful and elquent How Could An Angel Break My Heart, and He Wasn't Man Enough. The compilation also includes a couple of new tracks as well like Good Life, a track that Toni original released as a demo with her sisters, The Braxtons back in 1990, as well as The Time Of Our Lives, a song she recorded for the 2006 World Cup. Yet, although there are numerous highlights here, there are a couple of disadvantages here on this hits compilation. The first disadvantage is that there are several tracks here that were remixed instead of their original versions like How Many Ways, and the seductive Diane Warren penned Spanish Guitar. The other surprise is that the album also overlooks a few good tracks like her last hit Please from her 2005 record Libra.

All in all, The Essential Toni Braxton still remains as a solid hits package that will bring out not just die hard fans, but also newcomers how haven't yet heard her beautiful songs. Even though a lot of people aren't as interested in her, I still find her voice lovely, and I think this hits package does go a long way, and it is why love has brought her home.

Album Cover: B+

Songs: B

Price: B+

Remastering: A-

Overall: B 1/2+

A very nice blend of R&B, Soul, & Pop that can be played well past the Christmas Season. Standout Tracks include: "Holiday Celebrate", "Christmas Time Is Here" & "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (With a Full String Section!). We could have done without the 400th plus version of "The Christmas Song" (There's not to much more that can be done with this song). But overall a great package/production from Toni Braxton.

Every year I kick off of the holidays with this CD. I'll admit I'm a huge Toni fan, but this is not only a great Christmas set, its one of her best CDs period. I feel a little creepy listening to it June, but sometimes, when the mood hits, I do it anyway.

Toni Braxton's "Snowflakes" starts off with a blast! Braxton seductively pulls you right into the first two songs, "Holiday" and "Christmas in Jamaica" (featuring Shaggy)--both are funky, reggae-inspired upbeat numbers with great melodies that linger in the mind. On these numbers, Toni's voice is everything you want it to be: throaty, smoky, seductive and full of life. You can easily see why she was once for an all-too-brief time the most popular singer in the early-to-mid nineties. In fact, these first two numbers are so good that they almost make it worth the price of the CD.

Unfortunately, the rest of the album devolves into the kind of boring middle-of-the-road mush which would not be out of place on an average Kenny G album. The material isn't helped by Braxton's languid delivery. Classics like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" are included here but they are also undistinguished. Overall, Braxton sounds as if she could do most of the songs on "Snowflakes" in her sleep.

This CD is a dissapointment to me. It does not have very many of the much-loved classics on it, most of this cd is crappy, second rate album filler christmas music. With all the Christmas classics out there, I am not quite sure why Toni felt the need to put so much junk filler music on it. A waste of $15 if you ask me! Some of the songs are a little bit overdone as well.

that I'm buying it a 2nd time - we relocated this year & all my Xmas CDs disappeared. This is one of few I HAD to repurchase because Christmas just isn't Christmas unless I hear Toni's Christmas CD. Altho I consider myself a TB fan I don't own all of her albums, but this one is a keeper & can be listened to year round. There are very few albums (Christmas or not) that I can listen to from beginning to end, but Toni makes it easy to do here. I love all the new songs as well as TB's rendition of the classics. Snowflakes' original recordings give you a feel for the season just as much as the remakes. When TB begs Santa on "Santa Please" to bring her man home, I wanna contact Santa on her behalf & say get her man home NOW!! If we ever move again, this CD stays with me! Worth every penny - BOTH TIMES I PAID!

Well this is a bias review, cause I'm a fan. but is a good cd sure it could have other songs but I'm ok with what I got.

Where is "Seven Whole Days"? The charm of the original "Spanish Guitar" is utterly lacking on this dance remix.

Toni Michelle Braxton is an all-American success story. The eldest of six children born to a Maryland clergyman, she started out singing in choir of her father's church. But, her wonderful smoky, smooth and deep contralto voice could not stay hidden for long. The rest, as they say, is history.

This wonderful album contains twelve of Toni Braxton's greatest hits, including Another Sad Love Song, Breathe Again, How Could An Angel Break My Heart...Heck, just read contents! Yeah, this is a great album, with a lot of really great tunes on it. If you like great music, then you will love this album. I highly recommend it!

This is a good value purchase of Toni Braxton's songs. This is for anyone who might not get through 75 minutes of Ultimate Toni Braxton from 2003, but might go through 45-50 minutes of this one. This album is different for that includes a few remixes, sometimes dance-related, of the hits, instead of the same 12 sad love song ballads that she's well known for. Instead, the handlers make it more fun and upbeat in most cases instead of downbeat and sad. But familiar hits like Another Sad Love Song, He Wasn't Man Enough, Breathe Again, Unbreak My Heart and others are found here. Braxton still is out there with her latest effort Libra, but this collection recalls what made her a star in the first place.

This Platinum And Gold Collection is a must own for Toni Braxton fans. She is one of my favorite female musicians. Although, I think "Ultimate Toni Braxton" is more complete
1. Another sad love song 10/10 A great song
2. Breathe Again - 10/10 classic song about suicide
3. How could an angel break my heart 10/10
4. I belong to you 10/10
5. You mean the world to me 10/10
6. Un-Break my heart 10/10 Probably her biggest hit to date
7. How many ways 7/10
8. he wasn't man enough 5/10 I love the lyrics but she Sounds really MANNISH in this song
9. Maybe 5/10
10. A better man 7/10
11. Hit the freeway 7/10
12. Spanish Guitar 8/10
I can't wait for her sister Towanda (From the reality show "Starting over") to release an album and for TB's next release