Samantha Mumba - Gotta Tell You [Bonus Tracks]

Like many talented teenage pop singers, Samantha Mumba was initially promoted on the strength of her talent -- as in, "Isn't she much more talented than any other singer of her age?" It is true that Mumba is a fine singer, with a voice that sounds richer than most teen singers, and her material on her debut Gotta Tell You isn't strictly flimsy teen pop. It's more soulful and pretty well-constructed, sultry without veering into Lolita territory. In short, this is a fine product, a sterling example of immaculately crafted dance-pop and radio-ready ballads. If there's any problem, it's that, apart from "Body II Body," which weirdly appropriates David Bowie's icy "Ashes to Ashes" for a seduction number, none of this is particularly memorable without repeated spins. After those plays, it still seems like Gotta Tell You is a little too heavy on filler -- the singles, like "Gotta Tell You" and "Baby, Come Over (This Is Our Night)" are what stand out, along with the slow-burning closer, "Lately" -- but it's still better crafted than much teen pop, and it's delivered with conviction by Mumba. It's not a stunner, but it's satisfying on its own (albeit ephemeral) terms, and it sets her up well for greater things. [The 2001 British re-release includes three bonus tracks: "Stand by Your Side," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," and a remix of "Gotta Tell You."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits A. Linn Drums Alar Suurna Mixing Anders Barren Guitar, Arranger, Producer Arnthor Producer, Arranger, Mixing Arun Chakraverty Mastering Brad Gilderman Mixing Charlie Casey Guitar Chris Laws Programming, Engineer Chris Wonzer Assistant Engineer Chris Wyles Engineer Christina Undhjem Vocals (Background) Curtis Mayfield Sampling D Flex Voices Dan Sanders Producer, Keyboards Daniel Pursey Assistant Engineer Dave Russell Assistant Engineer Dawkins & Dawkins Choir Director DJ Mormile Producer E. Dawk Vocals (Background), Producer Erica Dymakkus Vocals (Background) Fauzi Talking George Mayers Engineer, Mixing Hallgeir Rustan ? Ida Corr Vocals (Background) James Hale Assistant Engineer Jansson & Jansson String Arrangements Jeanette Olsson Vocals (Background) Jerry Hey Conductor, Orchestral Arrangements John Goux Guitar José el Francés Vocals (Background) Ju-Zee Vocals (Background) Larry Williams Orchestration LaToya Jackson Vocals (Background) Lawrence Johnson Arranger, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background), Vocal Producer, Producer Luciano Peirone Guitar Lukas Burton Producer Marilyn Powell Vocals (Background) Mats Berntoft Guitar Mats Sundstrom Horn Matt Howe Mixing Engineer Michael C. Ross Engineer Michael Huff Mixing Michelle John Douglas Vocals (Background) Mikkel SE ? Mitchell John Vocals (Background) Patricia Scott Vocals (Background) Paul Waterman Mixing, Producer Ralph Morrison Concert Master Richard Niles String Arrangements Rita Campbell Vocals (Background) Robbie Buchanan Keyboards, Programming Ron Fair Arranger, Producer, Remix Producer, Executive Producer, Keyboards Roy "Royalty" Hamilton Remix Producer Sacha Skarbek Producer Samantha Mumba Vocals (Background) Sol Survivor Producer, Programming, Arranger Stargate Producer Steve Mac Arranger, Mixing, Producer Stockholm Session Strings Strings Teddy Riley Remix Producer, Producer, Mixing, Remixing Tony Morrell Vocals (Background) Toya Smith Vocals (Background) Yan Memmi Mixing Engineer, Engineer