Departure (Taio Cruz album)
Encyclopedia
Departure is the debut studio album
by English Pop
singer-songwriter
Taio Cruz
. It was released on 17 March 2008. The album entered the UK Albums Chart
at number 17.
: "I tried to be diverse in my music while not going too far left. Before I go off and hit people with random stuff that they just wouldn't recognise, I'd rather they get to know me first! Which is why I've given them something they can relate to and won't be too difficult for them to grasp, while at the same time not making it generic. Unlike American R&B - which is often really samey a sometimes a bit obvious - I genuinely don't think my record sounds like anybody else."
", which was released on November 6, 2006. It hit number 29 on the UK Singles Chart. The second single was "Moving On
", which was released on September 10, 2007. The digital download version was released on September 3, 2007. The song did better than the first single by hitting number 26 on the UK Singles Chart. The third single, "Come On Girl
" featuring Luciana, was released on March 3, 2008 and hit number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The fourth single, "I Can Be
", reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, dated on the chart May 25,2008, based on downloads sales alone. Furthermore, is has also reached number 23 on the Irish Singles Chart, again on the back of downloads. The fifth single, "She's Like a Star
", was released on August 11, 2008. The song peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.
said: "This isn't only manifest in the beats and electronic focus; the album is absolutely drenched in wonderfully camp disco strings. Cruz's own swooping vocals are most reminiscent of Seal; "Never Gonna Get Us" seems permanently on the verge of segueing into Crazy. Though somewhat lacking in low end at times (Cruz should learn about the virtues of a heavy bassline), this is a stylish, inventive debut." BBC
noted: "Most of the ballads deploy strings over their R&B rhythms, but "Come On Girl", is all crunchy electro. "Fly Away" starts with a slick electric guitar riff and "I Can Be" recalls '80s British pop soul acts like Joe Jackson
or Fine Young Cannibals
. Yet Departure is a much more American than British-sounding album, with Cruz's voice blurring into a mid-Atlantic burr." The album entered the UK Albums Chart
at number 17 on sales of 11,880. In September 2008, the album was officially certified gold by BPI
be reaching 100,000+ sales.
.
Digital Deluxe Edition / HMV Exclusive Deluxe Edition
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by English Pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz is a British singer-songwriter, record producer, occasional rapper, and entrepreneur. In 2008, he released his debut album Departure, which Cruz wrote, arranged and produced himself. It achieved initial success in the UK and earned him a MOBO Award nomination...
. It was released on 17 March 2008. The album entered the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
at number 17.
Background
In terms of his musical ambitions for the album, in February 2008 Cruz told noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning Blues & SoulBlues & Soul
Blues & Soul is a British music magazine covering black music. Genres covered include soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, reggae and world music. It was first published in 1966 and is known for first using the term Northern Soul....
: "I tried to be diverse in my music while not going too far left. Before I go off and hit people with random stuff that they just wouldn't recognise, I'd rather they get to know me first! Which is why I've given them something they can relate to and won't be too difficult for them to grasp, while at the same time not making it generic. Unlike American R&B - which is often really samey a sometimes a bit obvious - I genuinely don't think my record sounds like anybody else."
Singles
The first single was "I Just Wanna KnowI Just Wanna Know
"I Just Wanna Know" is the debut R&B single written & produced by British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz, and the first from his debut album Departure, which would be released a year and a half after this single. The single was released on November 6, 2006, and charted on the UK Singles Chart at #29...
", which was released on November 6, 2006. It hit number 29 on the UK Singles Chart. The second single was "Moving On
Moving On (Taio Cruz song)
"Moving On" is a song written and produced by Taio Cruz, and was the second single taken from his debut album Departure. "Moving On" became his second top thirty hit, peaking at #26 on the UK singles chart, outpeaking his debut single by three places...
", which was released on September 10, 2007. The digital download version was released on September 3, 2007. The song did better than the first single by hitting number 26 on the UK Singles Chart. The third single, "Come On Girl
Come On Girl
"Come On Girl" is a song written and produced by Taio Cruz, featuring a guest vocal from singer Luciana. It is the third single from his album Departure. It was his biggest hit to date, peaking at number five in the UK Singles Chart, outperforming both of his previous top 30 UK hits, until his 2009...
" featuring Luciana, was released on March 3, 2008 and hit number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The fourth single, "I Can Be
I Can Be
"I Can Be" is the fourth single by Taio Cruz from his debut album Departure, released in May 2008. The song peaked at number 18 in the UK Singles Chart. The single's B-side, "Disco Fever", was written and recorded exclusively for the release, and featured in the television adverts for Britannia...
", reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, dated on the chart May 25,2008, based on downloads sales alone. Furthermore, is has also reached number 23 on the Irish Singles Chart, again on the back of downloads. The fifth single, "She's Like a Star
She's Like a Star
"She's Like a Star" is the fifth single from Taio Cruz's debut album Departure. An official remix of the song exists featuring Sugababes and Busta Rhymes. Cruz and Sugababes performed the song live at the 2008 MOBO Awards Ceremony. The song peaked at number twenty in the UK Singles Chart. The video...
", was released on August 11, 2008. The song peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.
Reception
The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
said: "This isn't only manifest in the beats and electronic focus; the album is absolutely drenched in wonderfully camp disco strings. Cruz's own swooping vocals are most reminiscent of Seal; "Never Gonna Get Us" seems permanently on the verge of segueing into Crazy. Though somewhat lacking in low end at times (Cruz should learn about the virtues of a heavy bassline), this is a stylish, inventive debut." BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
noted: "Most of the ballads deploy strings over their R&B rhythms, but "Come On Girl", is all crunchy electro. "Fly Away" starts with a slick electric guitar riff and "I Can Be" recalls '80s British pop soul acts like Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson (musician)
Joe Jackson is an English musician and singer-songwriter now living in Berlin, whose five Grammy Award nominations span from 1979 to 2001...
or Fine Young Cannibals
Fine Young Cannibals
Fine Young Cannibals were a British band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1984, by bassist David Steele and guitarist Andy Cox , and singer Roland Gift...
. Yet Departure is a much more American than British-sounding album, with Cruz's voice blurring into a mid-Atlantic burr." The album entered the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
at number 17 on sales of 11,880. In September 2008, the album was officially certified gold by BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
be reaching 100,000+ sales.
Track listing
All songs written, arranged and produced by Taio CruzTaio Cruz
Taio Cruz is a British singer-songwriter, record producer, occasional rapper, and entrepreneur. In 2008, he released his debut album Departure, which Cruz wrote, arranged and produced himself. It achieved initial success in the UK and earned him a MOBO Award nomination...
.
- "I'll Never Love Again" - 3:51
- "I Just Wanna KnowI Just Wanna Know"I Just Wanna Know" is the debut R&B single written & produced by British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz, and the first from his debut album Departure, which would be released a year and a half after this single. The single was released on November 6, 2006, and charted on the UK Singles Chart at #29...
" - 4:00 - "I Can BeI Can Be"I Can Be" is the fourth single by Taio Cruz from his debut album Departure, released in May 2008. The song peaked at number 18 in the UK Singles Chart. The single's B-side, "Disco Fever", was written and recorded exclusively for the release, and featured in the television adverts for Britannia...
" - 3:54 - "I Don't Wanna Fall in Love" - 3:24
- "So Cold" - 3:29
- "Fly Away" - 4:05
- "Driving Me Crazy" - 3:16
- "Moving OnMoving On (Taio Cruz song)"Moving On" is a song written and produced by Taio Cruz, and was the second single taken from his debut album Departure. "Moving On" became his second top thirty hit, peaking at #26 on the UK singles chart, outpeaking his debut single by three places...
" - 3:27 - "Come On GirlCome On Girl"Come On Girl" is a song written and produced by Taio Cruz, featuring a guest vocal from singer Luciana. It is the third single from his album Departure. It was his biggest hit to date, peaking at number five in the UK Singles Chart, outperforming both of his previous top 30 UK hits, until his 2009...
" (featuring Luciana) - 3:36 - "Never Gonna Get Us" - 3:54
- "She's Like a StarShe's Like a Star"She's Like a Star" is the fifth single from Taio Cruz's debut album Departure. An official remix of the song exists featuring Sugababes and Busta Rhymes. Cruz and Sugababes performed the song live at the 2008 MOBO Awards Ceremony. The song peaked at number twenty in the UK Singles Chart. The video...
" - 3:39 - "Can't Say Go" - 3:23
Digital Deluxe Edition / HMV Exclusive Deluxe Edition
- 13. "Your Game" - 3:39
- 14. "Come On Girl" (Delinquent Mix) - 4:37
- 15. "Fly Away" (Delinquent Mix) - 3:57
- 16. "I Can Be" (Delinquent Mix) - 4:19
- 17. "I Just Wanna Know" (Delinquent Mix) - 3:11
- 18. "I'll Never Love Again" (Delinquent Mix) - 4:34
Charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak Position |
Total Sales |
|---|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
17 | 100,000+ |