I'm Here for You is the debut album by the American singer Ann Nesby, released in 1996.[2][3] Nesby supported the album by performing at the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics, in Atlanta.[4]

I'm Here for You
Studio album by
Released1996
GenreR&B
Length1:11:02
LabelPerspective[1]
ProducerJimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Ann Nesby chronology
I'm Here for You
(1996)
Love Is What We Need: The Essentials
(2001)

The album peaked at No. 157 on the Billboard 200.[5]

Production

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The album was produced in part by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.[6][7] Nesby cowrote or wrote every song on I'm Here for You.[8] Gerald Albright contributed saxophone to the album.[9] "Lord How I Need You" was written in Nesby's hometown of Rockford, Illinois, and was produced by Rockford native Big Jim Wright.[10]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [11]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [12]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide     [13]
Muzik     [14]

The Los Angeles Sentinel praised the "earthy singing," calling the album "the sound of love, passion and blackness."[15] The Star Tribune wrote that Nesby's "majestic voice shines on a spiritual collection of R&B."[16]

The Christian Science Monitor deemed the album "a smooth mix of traditional gospel, dance tunes, and ballads... The traditional gospel tune 'Lord How I Need You' showcases Nesby's origins in the church choir."[17] The St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote that, "while the strings, vibes and other background instruments too often sound slightly, frightfully, canned, Nesby's voice rises above it all to deliver a truly spectacular performance throughout."[18] Jesse Ballinger, of Miami New Times, opined that, "on 'Let the Rain Fall', Nesby makes the strongest argument I've heard yet for hip-hop/gospel fusion."[19]

AllMusic deemed it "a brilliant blend of gospel, R&B, dance and ballads."[11] MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide considered the album to be "one of the most complete and pleasurable packages ever put together by Jam and Lewis."[13]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Let the Rain Fall"4:32
2."I'm Still Wearing Your Name"5:03
3."If You Love Me"5:31
4."The Invitation":28
5."(What a) Lovely Evening"6:01
6."I'll Do Anything for You"5:51
7."String Interlude":39
8."Thrill Me"4:32
9."Hold On"5:11
10."In the Spirit"5:28
11."This Weekend"4:22
12."Can I Get a Witness?"4:02
13."I'm Here for You"5:28
14."I'll Be Your Everything"4:51
15."Let Old Memories Be"4:27
16."Lord How I Need You"4:36
Total length:1:11:02 or 71:02

References

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  1. ^ "Jet Top 20 Albums". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. November 25, 1996. Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Ann Nesby Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  3. ^ "Sounding Off". Ebony. Vol. 51, no. 9. Jul 1996. p. 14.
  4. ^ Faison, Datu (Aug 3, 1996). "Rhythm section". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 31. p. 32.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2010). Top Pop Albums (7th ed.). Record Research. p. 563.
  6. ^ Banez, Cherry (30 Aug 1996). "Ann Nesby: Sweet Sounds of Success". The Philadelphia Tribune. No. 62. p. 8 Suppl.
  7. ^ Hasson, Bill (Oct 1996). "I'm Here for You". American Visions. Vol. 11, no. 5. p. 42.
  8. ^ Reynolds, J.R. (Mar 30, 1996). "Ann Nesby makes solo sounds". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 13. p. 25.
  9. ^ Lee, Edith C. (July 19, 1996). "Nesby finds the grounding she needs by returning home". USA Today. p. RC.
  10. ^ Lee, Edith C. (26 Sep 1996). "Nesby finds song in her Illinois roots". The Ithaca Journal. Gannett. p. 10A.
  11. ^ a b "I'm Here for You". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  12. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 155.
  13. ^ a b MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 421.
  14. ^ Billingham, Alf (June 1996). "Ann Nesby: I'm Here For You" (PDF). Muzik. No. 13. p. 117. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  15. ^ Sye, Robert J. (19 Dec 1996). "Ann Nesby's 'I'm Here for You' and Little Kim's 'Hardcore,' hard to beat". Los Angeles Sentinel. p. B6.
  16. ^ Bream, Jon (29 Dec 1996). "1996: The Year in Review: Favorites from the national scene". Star Tribune. p. 3F.
  17. ^ Walters, Laurel Shaper (22 July 1996). "CD Reviews". Features. The Christian Science Monitor. p. 10.
  18. ^ Walsh, Jim (July 9, 1996). "Disc-y Business". St. Paul Pioneer Press. p. 8D.
  19. ^ Ballinger, Jesse (October 10, 1996). "Rotations". Music. Miami New Times.