Back to Basics

Christina Aguilera | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 15, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000G759LW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (451 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,840 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Pop > Euro Pop > General
  • #18 in Music > Pop > Teen Pop
  • #55 in Music > R&B > Contemporary R&B

Track Listings

1. Intro (Back To Basics)

2. Makes Me Wanna Pray featuring Steve Winwood

3. Back In The Day

4. Ain't No Other Man

5. Understand

6. Slow Down Baby

7. Oh Mother

8. F.U.S.S. (Interlude)

9. On Our Way

10. Without You

11. Still Dirrty

12. Here To Stay

13. Thank You (Dedication To Fans...)

14. Enter The Circus

15. Welcome

16. Candyman

17. Nasty Naughty Boy

18. I Got Trouble

19. Hurt

20. Mercy On Me

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Back to Basics, Christina Aguilera's first disc in four years, refines and clarifies the--let's call it "sexy"--aura surrounding this platinum firebrand. Here, the best belter in a class that counts Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears on its roll call has turned her attention to love songs: the supercharged and ubiquitous first single "Ain't No Other Man," for one, and the hushed stunner "Save Me from Myself" for another. That doesn't mean she's foresworn being nasty, though. Dive deep into this set, past the gorgeous crackle that frames the old-school jazz-, blues-, and soul-inspired tracks on the first disc, and you'll reach a playful and familiar raunch; "Candyman" celebrates a "one-stop shop" who "makes the panties drop" to a boogie-woogie beat, and "Nasty Naughty Boy" sends out a heated, big-beated invitation to "sip on my champagne/Cause I'm gonna give you a little taste/Of the sugar below my waist." Thoughtful listeners should snap out of their fascination with Xtina's undiminished yet newly un-tramp-like sexuality, though, because what they'll really want to focus on throughout these 22 tracks is the honest-to-God artistry. While the rock producer Linda Perry helps disc two pop in interesting and unexpected ways (check the muffled blues number "I Got Trouble" and "Mercy on Me," an obvious nod to Fiona Apple), DJ Premier, a mainstay on Jay-Z and Nas projects, pipes a batch of aural high-fives into the nostalgia-bitten first disc (the deep-down funk of "Back in the Day," the strut-strut early hip-hop sound of "Still Dirrty"). Their nudges aside, though, Back to Basics is all Aguilera's baby--she executive-produced, and she's found herself artistically. Nobody would argue, in fact, if she swiveled around the chorus to "Ain't No Other Man," written for her husband, and aimed it at herself: "You got soul, you got class/You got style, you're bada--." --Tammy La Gorce

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Product Description

Christina Aguilera has transformed her image and musical style with every album. With the new Back to Basics album, her musical style has changed from the urban and light rock sounds of Stripped to a soulful and jazz-inspired album. Aguilera has described her upcoming album as a soul record combining elements of 1920s, '30s and '40s blues and jazz with modern day influences.[2] The album's title was confirmed in the March issue of Rolling Stone magazine, and Aguilera was featured in a cover story of ELLE UK magazine confirming her work with producers Mark Ronson and P. Diddy. The record finds her working with hip-hop producers DJ Premier, Kwame and Ronson for the first time. It will also find her working with Linda Perry, who worked with Aguilera on Stripped (2002). In February 2006 at MTV's TRL Awards, she previewed three unmastered tracks from the upcoming album including "Candy Man" and "Back to Basics". Back to Basics is a double-CD.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

149 of 163 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Christina's Respect to Back In the Day August 15, 2006

By K. J. Bryant

Format:Audio CD

How refreshing to see someone as young as Christina paying respect and tribute to the soul/jazz/blues legends of yesteryear (even though she appears to be confused about the eras. Most of the songs has influences from the 50s, 60s, and 70s and not just the 20s, 30s, and 40s as she claimed). This confusion does not hurt the beauty of this cd. In fact, it allows Christina to offer something to everyone.

On Disc One, Christina joins forces with DJ Premier, Rich Harrison, Kwame, Mark Ronson, Charles Roane, Big Tank and Tony Reyes & Ben H. Allen for an exciting world of R&B, Soul, Hip Hop and some Blues. The songs are either uptempo or midtempo, but Christina commands every lyric and melody. From the churchy "Makes Me Wanna Pray" to the edgy "Here To Stay", Christina holds your attention. Even when she is all about "me" like on interludes F.U.S.S and Intro (Back to Basic), Christina comes across as being true with her emotions. The only song that suffers is "Thank You" which I find rather pointless.

On Disc Two, the show is all about Christina and Linda Perry (who is becoming one of the most important female writers/producers of all time). Songs like the Andrew Sisters-inspired "Candyman", the sexy "Nasty Naughty Boy, and the bluesy "I Got Trouble" are all throwbacks to another era of time. While songs like the pop ballad "Hurt" and the churchy "Mercy On Me" has a modern day twist. Christina really sells these songs but the biggest surprise is the sweet folky "Save Me From Myself" and the 50s pop style "The Right Man". In both songs, you can tell Christina is singing from the heart and to her new husband.

Disc One and Disc Two are actually two seperate albums because they are both very different in styles, but the quality of both cds are high level. The growth from the last cd is clear because the one thing I also noticed is while 'Stripped' concentrated on sound and structure, 'B2B' focus on songs and structures (two totally different concepts). This is also the cd in which Christina leaves behind Britney, Jessica, Lindsey and that crew and join Alicia and Beyonce as the most talented pop female artists of their generation. Wow! She has come a long way from her "Genie" days, let's hope she can continue to grow.

Highlights from the cd:

Back In the Day

Slow Down Baby

Without You

Still Dirrty

Candyman

Hurt

Mercy On Me

Save me From Myself

The Right Man

101 of 121 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Double disc Back to Basics makes one excellent album. August 15, 2006

By A. G. Corwin

Format:Audio CD

Its usually not a good sign when an artist delivers a two-disc record. Christina Aguilera's new record Back to Basics shows an adventurous ambition to produce two albums with different sounds but a common thematic arc. Though both discs have some excellent tracks, this could have been one amazing album instead of just two solid ones with some judicious editing. What you will find though, is great samples, huge hooks, and a fresh sound incorporating both old and new into a cohesive whole.

Disc One, produced by the impressive DJ Premier, is laden with great samples and entangling hooks. "Intro(Back to Basics)" is a funk filled preamble paying homage to "the soulsingers...jazzmakers and groundbreakers...who paved the way." Christina wastes no time in showing her vocal range on the piano and gospel choir driven track "Makes Me Wanna Pray." The excellent "Back in the Day" has a great retro sound and namechecks Coltrane and the "originators and innovators who...remain my inspiration every day." The trumpets bust out on the energetic, rhythmic "Ain't No Other Man," while "Slow Down Baby" is a sultry brush-off of a potential suitor, "You never gonna get it from me, because I'm with someone." "Oh Mother" is the most modern song on Disc One, lacing an elegant, emotional vocal on the abuse she and her mother suffered over a simple drum track. "Still Dirrty" is a mash of great samples with Christina's assurance that under the Jean Harlow glam she is still a freak. "Thank You(Dedication to Fans)" is a ode to the audience that, while very sweet, is an unnecessary addition.

Disc Two has a very different sound thanks to the tonal discord of the intro track, "Enter the Circus." The synth-heavy "Welcome" is a dark track that doesn't quite mesh with its upbeat lyrics. "Candyman" jumps with life from its opening bars, with a fun swing sound and layered harmonies. Sounding as if they came straight off a 40-year old vinyl disc, the delightfully risque "Nasty Naughty Boy," which takes sexual innuendo to a new level, and the soft and seductive "I Got Trouble" make for a great pairing. "Hurt" is a typical Christina ballad, and a likely huge hit, but one whose tone and sound are out of place on this record. The passionate "Mercy on Me" is a great stand alone track that sounds more 60s than jazz, and the sparse acoustic guitar of "Save Me From Myself" is a nice change of pace, but the keyboard-dominated "The Right Man" closes with a bit of a whimper rather than a bang. Linda Perry has co-written and produced some amazing tracks in her career, but that success leads her to veer wildly from sound to sound in search of a big single. Perry's ADD method of producing delivers three great tracks, but it's extremely ironic that DJ Premier's disc has an overall more cohesive sound with more commercial potential than Perry's.

This is a lot of music to absorb, and despite some tracks better suited to earlier albums or the recycle bin, this is one impressive collection of songs. Aguilera has an ability to reinvent herself from disc to disc, maintaining a freshness few artists have been able to retain. Her voice is as dominating as always, but she is smart enough to tone it down where necessary. Some track editing could have been used here, but there is more than enough to entertain, and fans will be able to mix and match their favorites into one amazing album. Recommended.

A.G. Corwin
St Louis, MO

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A TRULY INCREDIBLE ALBUM August 15, 2006

By lostnfound

Format:Audio CD

Simply put, "Back To Basics" is an INCREDIBLE album that brings Christina Aguilera's credit as an artist to a whole new dimension. The sounds on this album feel like authentic oldschool classics, but they have a unique modern touch. The songs are so organic and authentic to the point where you forget that its oldschool-inspired and just focus on the songs themselves. Disc one is an impressive funk collection. "Makes Me Wanna Pray" has an up-beat soulful/gospel feeling, reminiscent of Aretha Franklin. Of course, one cannot overlook the song of the summer, "Ain't No Other Man" - with the blaring horn blasts and funky beat. Another highlight of the album is "Slow Down Baby" which is another funky dance groove. On a more emotional note, "Oh Mother" pays tribute to Aguilera's mother and acknowledges that pain of her childhood abuse. Then there's the feisty danceable "Still Dirrty" where she claims that she may be married, but she's still naughty. Lastly on Disc One is "Here to Stay". The horn blasts and funky beats make this song's message clear: Christina Aguilera is definitely "here to stay" in the music world, proving that talent is the key to longevity. On Disc 2, we find a more burlesque feel. The second disk is characterized by burlesque-show tunes and some gorgeous vocal ballads. On the upbeat and peppy "Candyman", Christina goes all out with the burlesque theme by using some big band swing music. Next, she tones it down a bit with a slow and sensual "Nasty Naughty Boy". Aguilera then channels through the old soul icons like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald on "I Got Trouble", which is not a cover, but an organic composiiton that truly sounds like an old classic soul number that Holiday, herself, would sing. Christina shifts gears again and dives into a haunting ballad, titled "Hurt". The ballad is a gut-wrenching emotional piece that simply gives you chills. Then there's the angelic sound on "Save Me From Myself" where Aguilera does not belt one note, making it a very intimate performance. "Back To Basics" proves to be a milestone in Christina Aguilera's career; she's matured a bit, as displayed in her intelligent lyrics and musically, she's matured as well, with this collection of intelliegently composed songs. This album cannot be overlooked; simply, Christina's greatest work so far.