Traces of My Lipstick [ENHANCED]

Xscape

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 12, 1998)
• Original Release Date: May 12, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000006O7K
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,493 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Two years from the two-triple-zero and there's still a huge gap between the musical tastes of black folk and white folk. Case in point: Xscape. Despite having gone platinum and being two CDs deep (Traces of My Lipstick is their third), chances are that their music and names would register a big head scratch in most melanin-challenged homes. Part of that may be image--these ladies have been known to look a tad, uh, rough--or that the Atlanta-based group has been handed songs (usually by the unctuous Jermaine Dupri) that aren't as slick or pop-friendly as some of those other gals' hits. Not so on this CD, which finds the women mainly concentrating on sexy ballads, most of which have to do with playing around or being played on, and decidedly mainstream material like "The Arms of the One Who Loves You." Written and produced by Diane "That's a Hit!" Warren, the track is all blown-up passion and ersatz soul: all the better for breaking Xscape's strong and sultry harmonies out of the confines of black radio. --Amy Linden

Entertainment Weekly
[T]he girls croon lines like "Everyone Cheats" with pure nonchalance and save their tender surrendering coos for ballads like "Am I Dreaming." Traces is aided by the group's longtime guru and hip-hop hook man, Jermaine Dupri.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love every single song on this album, December 23, 2001

By	unknowen (Maryland Heights, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This is such a wonderful album. I love every single song on here. I have to say that Xscape is the best group that ever existed. Sadly they're are not making any more albums because three out of four members of Xscape now have children. Kandi is the only member of Xscape without any children. She is now a solo artist and has an album out called "Hey Kandi". It is a very good album but it's not as good as Xscape's last two albums. It's tied with Xscape's first album. This is what I have to say about each of the individual tracks on this album.
1) INTRO - This is the intro of the album. It has lots of talking and adlibing by Jermaine Dupri and it has LaTocha singing. The intro and the outro both sample from Foxy Brown. This track sounds pretty cool for an intro.
2) MY LITTLE SECRET - This is one of Xscape's biggest hits so you probably know it. It actually has some additional background vocals that are performed by Jagged Edge. So listen and you might hear them. This is a pretty good song. Kandi, LaTocha, and Tiny sing lead on it.
3) SOFTEST PLACE ON EARTH - This is one of my favorites. It's very beautiful and it has nice lyrics. LaTocha, Tamika, and Tiny sing lead on it.
4) DO YOU KNOW - This is the fast club song on the album. It's featuring a rap by Jermaine Dupri. LaTocha sings lead on this song.
5) ONE OF THOSE LOVE SONGS - This is another one of my favorite songs on the album. It's very beautiful. I really like the lyrics because it's talking about hearing a love song on the radio. You don't hear many songs that talk about that. Kandi, LaTocha, and Tamika sing lead on it.
6) THE ARMS OF THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU - This is another one of Xscape's big hits. This was the first single to be released off this album. I love this song so much. LaTocha and Tamika sing lead on it.
7) I WILL - This is another one of my favorites. I like the music and I like the way they sing on it. Kandi and LaTocha sing lead on this song.
8) YOUR EYES - I like this song. It's not one of my favorites but I still like it. LaTocha is the only person who sings lead on it.
9) ALL I NEED - I really like this song. It's really pretty. It has kind of has an exotic Jamaican sound to it. But it's mixed in with a soulful R&B sound. Tamika, Tiny, and LaTocha sing lead on this song.
10) AM I DREAMIN' - This song is actually shown as Ol' Skool featuring Xscape. Before this album it was on Ol' Skool's album. I guess they decided they wanted to put it on here also, even though it came out way before this album. It's a really good song and I'm glad they decided to add it to this album.
11) THE RUNAROUND - I really like this song. I don't know why but it's a song that I can't stop singing. LaTocha and Kandi sing lead on it. Tiny does some adlibing.
12) HOLD ON - This is my favorite song on the whole album. It's so beautiful and the vocals are so good. Kandi and Tiny sing lead on it. I fell in love with this song when I first heard it. I can't see how you wouldn't.
13) ALL ABOUT ME (OUTRO) - This is the outro of the album. It's
actually a continuance of the intro. That's really all there is to say.
You should buy this CD as well as the other two Xscape CD's and Kandi's CD. You won't regret buying any of them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ok...It's Ok, July 2, 2006

By	Afrothinda "EasternSoulSista" (Asia) - See all my reviews

I really love some tracks in it,No.2.3.5...But the others didn't do anything to me...so,it's ok

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Xscape's Best Album!, July 8, 2005

By	G. Harrison "Greggo70" (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is by far, Xscape's best album. Too bad they disbanded after this release. Every song has hit potential and there is absolutely no filler tracks. From the funky opening All About Me intro right through to the Jermaine Dupri-esque My Little Secret, these girls harmonize so well and could give any other R&B female quartet a run for their money. More mature R&B hits abound with the Softest Place on Earth, One of Those Love Songs, Am I Dreamin and their top 10 hit, The Arms of the One Who Loves You. So many years later and this album still sounds good in my CD player. Too bad Xscape couldn't turn out some more hot jams.