100%
Studio album by
Beverley Knight
Released7 September 2009
Genre
Length50:46
LabelHurricane
Producer
Beverley Knight chronology
The Collection
(2009)		 100%
(2009)		 Soul UK
(2011)
Singles from 100%
  1. "Every Step"
    Released: 6 July 2009[1]
  2. "Beautiful Night"
    Released: 7 September 2009
  3. "In Your Shoes"
    Released: 9 November 2009
  4. "Soul Survivor"
    Released: 8 March 2010

100% is the sixth studio album by English singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. It was released on 7 September 2009 through Knight's own record label Hurricane Record, following her departure from Parlophone. The lead single from the album, "Beautiful Night" was released as a download-only on the same day as the album.[2] A radio only first single, "Every Step", produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis was added to BBC Radio 2's B-list on 17 June 2009.[3] It was released as a free download on 6 July 2009 for two weeks.[4] A remix album, titled 100% – The Remixes was released exclusively on digital download via Beatport on 29 January 2012. It features remixes of three of the 100% album singles, "Beautiful Night", "In Your Shoes" and "Soul Survivor".[5]

Background and production

After the release of her 2007 album Music City Soul, Knight's record contract with Parlophone had come to its natural end. Knight decided she was at the stage in her career where she needed to take full creative control and no longer wished to be tied down by the constraints of her record company.[6] In an interview with Ronnie Herel on BBC 1Xtra on 26 May 2009, Knight revealed that the album would be titled 100%. She further explained that throughout her entire career, she felt that she had given 100% of her effort whether it be recording albums, performing live or through her philanthropic work. Knight went on to say that she considered the title a dedication to her partner and that for the first time she had given 100% to a relationship. This is further illustrated by the title track "100%" which she dedicated to partner James.[7]

100% features guest appearance from singer Chaka Khan on the track "Soul Survivor," which was co-written by Knight and Guy Chambers.[8] Originally written for Tina Turner as a testament to her longevity, upon recording it Beverley loved it so much that she decided to keep it and recorded it with Khan. Knight commented that they "both see ourselves as soul survivors, we have rode through the ups and downs of our musical careers, and we are both still here and loving it".[7] Other notable collaborators on the album include Jimmy Hogarth, Guy Chambers, Amanda Ghost, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, The Rural, DJ Munro and DC Joseph, and Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[9]
BBCfavourable[10]
Digital Spy[11]
The Mirror[12]

100% received generally positive reviews from music critics. Allmusic editor Jon O'Brien found that the album "appears to have jumped on the ubiquitous '80s revival bandwagon [echoing] the classy soul balladry of Anita Baker, the synth-heavy funk of Alexander O'Neal, and the acid-jazz leanings of early Brand New Heavies. It's a change in direction which, unlike her recent output, feels like a natural progression, its authentic groove-fueled production, thankfully free of Auto-Tune, allowing Knight's effortlessly smooth and expressive vocals to shine."[9] In his review for BBC, critic David Quantick commented that "the title track, which is a full on Anita Baker croon tune, is predicated not on a lot of timbales sprinkling about over some nice chords, but an ambient ripple running under it like Brian Eno leaving his bath taps running."[13]

Mayer Nassim from Digital Spy remarked that "the deep soul of the title track is the best thing here, evoking the likes of Bobby Womack with its classic dynamics that perfectly match Knight's impressive vocals. 'Bare' is another highlight, a stripped down Whitney-esque torch ballad that frames what is still one of the best voices in British music."[14] A mixed review came from Andy Welch of The Telegraph who wrote that "at once vintage-Atlantic-soul-sounding yet defiantly British, her nickname as the UK's Queen of Soul couldn't be more apt. Despite this, she's never really had the material her vocal talent should have. On this, her sixth studio album, nothing has changed."[15] However, Serena Kutchinsky of The London Paper rated 100% two stars while commenting that "yes, Knight has a syrupy smooth voice which is used to full effect on tracks such as 'Beautiful Night,' but the dearth of catchy pop hooks and too much schmaltzy gospel render of it little more than pseudo-soulful tripe."[16]

Track listing

100% – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Beautiful Night"
The Rural4:12
2."Breakout"
  • Knight
  • DJ Munro
  • Dex Nicholson
  • DJ Munro
  • DC Joseph
3:30
3."In Your Shoes"
  • DJ Munro
  • DC Joseph
3:07
4."100%"
4:04
5."Every Step"
4:45
6."Soul Survivor" (with Chaka Khan)
  • Knight
  • Chambers
  • Khan
  • Bacon
  • Quarmby
4:16
7."Turned to Stone"
  • Bacon
  • Quarmby
4:22
8."Bare"
  • Knight
  • Jamie Hartman
  • Bacon
  • Quarmby
3:17
9."Square Peg"
The Rural4:42
10."Gold Chain"
  • Knight
  • Ghost
  • Dench
  • Dring
  • Street
The Rural3:21
11."Moneyback"
  • Knight
  • Munro
  • Nicholson
  • DJ Munro
  • DC Joseph
3:19
12."Painted Pony"
The Rural3:26
13."Too Much Heaven"
  • Bacon
  • Quarmby
4:47
Total length:50:46
Amazon bonus track[17]
No.TitleLength
14."A Love We'll Never Know"3:35
Play.com bonus track[18]
No.TitleLength
14."Force of Nature"4:10
iTunes deluxe edition bonus tracks[19]
No.TitleLength
14."In Your Shoes" (Live)3:23
15."Piece of My Heart" (Live)4:28
16."Beautiful Night" (Video)3:19
17."Behind the Scenes of Beautiful Night" (Video)2:33
100% – The Remixes[20]
No.TitleLength
1."Beautiful Knight" (Crazy Cousins Club Mix Edit)3:09
2."Beautiful Knight" (Crazy Cousins Funky Mix)3:53
3."Beautiful Knight" (Crazy Cousins Club Mix)4:14
4."In Your Shoes" (Sammy Jay Remix)3:56
5."Soul Survivor" (Wyda Productions Radio Mix)3:23
6."Soul Survivor" (Wyda Productions Extended Mix)5:22
7."Soul Survivor" (Bimbo Jones Vocal Mix)8:12
8."Soul Survivor" (Bimbo Jones Radio Mix)3:35

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[21] 17
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[22] 2

References

  1. ↑ "Beverley Knight – 100% album advert". YouTube. Archived from the original on 13 June 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  2. ↑ "Beverley Knight – Sheffield City Hall". Archived from the original on 30 August 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  3. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 Playlist". BBC. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  4. ↑ "Beverley Knight announces her 6th studio album!". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  5. ↑ "Beatport – News – Beverley Knight". BeverleyKnight.com. 30 January 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  6. ↑ "Urbanworld Interview". Urbanworld.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  7. 1 2 Beverley Knight. "Track by Track in Bev's own words". Archived from the original on 23 October 2009.
  8. ↑ Real Interview Archived 30 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  9. 1 2 https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0001365735
  10. ↑ "Music – Review of Beverley Knight – 100%". BBC. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  11. ↑ Released on Monday, 7 September 2009 (7 September 2009). "Beverley Knight: '100%' – Music Album Review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 September 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ "As she releases her latest album, Beverley Knight recalls playing with her hero, Prince – The Ticket – TV & Entertainment". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  13. ↑ "BBC Review". BBC. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  14. ↑ "Digital Spy Review". Digital Spy. 7 September 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  15. ↑ Welch, Andy (18 September 2009). "Telegraph Review". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  16. ↑ London Paper Review
  17. ↑ "100%: Beverley Knight: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads – Track listing". Amazon UK. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  18. ↑ "(UK): Beverley Knight – 100% MP3 music download – MP3 Album – Track listing". Play.com. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  19. ↑ "iTunes Store: Beverley Knight – 100% MP3 music download – MP3 Album". iTunes Store. 6 September 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  20. ↑ Beatport (29 January 2012). "Beverley Knight – 100% – The Remixes (Hurricane Records)". Beatport. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  21. ↑ "Beverley Knight | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  22. ↑ March 2009/115/ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
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