King of Stage is the debut solo album by American R&B singer Bobby Brown.[1][2] Following his exit from New Edition, and at 16, Brown signed a solo deal with the group's label MCA Records, which had earlier promised Brown a solo deal if he decided to leave New Edition. His first solo album was released in 1986.
| King of Stage | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 10, 1986 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 42:29 | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Producer | Larry Blackmon John Luongo | |||
| Bobby Brown chronology | ||||
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| Singles from King of Stage | ||||
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The album spawned the singles "Girlfriend", "Seventeen", and "Girl Next Door". None of the singles were major US Hot 100 hits, however, Brown had a number-one R&B hit with the first single, the ballad, "Girlfriend".[3][4]
Production
The album was produced by Larry Blackmon and John Luongo; Brown and Luongo produced the title track.[5][6] Brown was unhappy with the production, and elected to go with proven producers for his next album.[1]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [8] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [5] |
AllMusic wrote that "as enjoyable as the Blackmon-produced tracks are, top honors must go to 'Seventeen' -- a riveting account of a teenage mother who turns to drugs and prostitution -- and the unapologetically sentimental, '70s-like soul ballad 'Girlfriend'."[7] The Los Angeles Times called the album "an ill-conceived mess" marked by a "lack of focus, inconsistent production and mostly inferior material."[9] The Boston Globe deemed it "a versatile blend of street funk, rap and ballads."[10]
Track listing
- "Girlfriend" – 6:16 (Kirk Crumpler, Lee Peters, Larry White)
- "Girl Next Door" – 4:08 (Melvin Wells)
- "Baby, I Wanna Tell You Something" – 3:47 (Larry Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins, Nathan Leftenant)
- "You Ain't Been Loved Right" – 5:07 (Michael Lovesmith)
- "King of Stage" – 5:07 (John Luongo, Khris Kellow, Doctor Ice)
- "Love Obsession" – 4:43 (Steve Lindley, Richard Nuttal, Ian Legall)
- "Spending Time" – 3:58 (Allen N. Jones)
- "Seventeen" – 4:17 (Robert Brookins, Tony Haynes)
- "Your Tender Romance" – (Paul Jackson Jr., Tony Haynes) 5:10
Personnel
- Bobby Brown: Main vocals
- Lee Peters, Olie Bowlds, Richard Aquon, Allyson Williams, Tomi Jenkins, Marlena Jeter, Marva King, Angel Eve, Lance "Romance" Matthews, Scopin Scott, Smooth Bee, Victor Lee-Love, Debbie Kole, Jilliann, Willie Morris, Lena Seinday, Sue Ann, Mont Seward: Backing vocals
- Paul Jackson Jr.: Guitars, keyboards, bass
- Melvin Wells: Guitars, keyboards
- Larry White: Guitars, keyboards, bass, percussion, backing vocals
- Kevin Choken, Emilio Conesa: Guitars
- Robert Brookins, Khris Kellow, Michael Lovesmith, Grady Wilkins: Keyboards, backing vocals
- Roland Ramos: Percussion
- Maurice Bailey: Scratching
- Melicio "The Cat" Magdaluyo: Saxophone
Charts
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Top Pop Albums[11] | 88 |
| US Billboard Top R&B Albums[12] | 12 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Pop | US Soul | ||
| 1986 | "Girlfriend" | 57 | 1 |
| 1987 | "Girl Next Door" | — | 31 |
| "Seventeen" | — | — | |