Love.Angel.Music.Baby. (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Gwen Stefani (vocals); André 3000 (vocals, keyboards); Eve (rap vocals); Linda Perry, Johnny Vulture (guitar, keyboards, programming); Bobby Ross Avila (guitar, keyboards, background vocals); Wendy Melvoin (guitar); Kevin Kendricks (piano, keyboards); Sheldon Conrich, Lisa Coleman (keyboards); Rick Sheppard (midi); Jimmy Jam (bass guitar); Iz (drums, percussion); Sam Littlemore, Ewan Pearson, Aidan Love, Simon Gogerly (programming); Zoey Martin, MiMi "Audio" Parker, Mimi Parker, Naomi Martin, Seven, Bernard Sumner (background vocals); Mike Elizondo (guitar, keyboards); Tony Reyes (guitar, bass guitar); Rusty Anderson (guitar); Tony Kanal (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Mark Batson (keyboards, keyboard bass); Dallas Austin (keyboards, drums); James "Big Jim" Wright (keyboards); Jason Lader (programming).

Audio Mixers: André 3000; Glenn Pittman; Mark "Spike" Stent; Phil Tan; Johnny Vulture.

Recording information: Darp Studios, Atlanta, GA; Encore Studios, Burback California; Flyte Tyme West; Hensen Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Home recordings London, Englad; Home Recordings, London, England; Karrabee Sound Studio East, Los Angeles, CA; Kingsbury Studios, Los Feliz, CA; Larrabee Sound Studio East, Los Angeles, CA; Ocean Way Record One, Sherman Oaks, CA; O'Henry Sound Studios, Burback, CA; Right Track Recording, New York, NY; Sound Castle Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Stankonia Recording, Atlanta, GA; The Village recorder, West Los Angeles, CA.

Photographer: Nick Knight.

Historically, it's a tricky endeavor for the singer from an enormously successful band to embark on a solo career. Gwen Stefani, the glamorous vocalist for No Doubt, sidesteps the issue on her first solo album, LOVE, ANGEL, MUSIC, BABY, by largely eschewing the No Doubt sound. In its place, there's a strong emphasis on the R&B and hip-hop flavors that were hinted at in preceding No Doubt records. Towards that end, Stefani gamely enlists the assistance of Dr. Dre, the Neptunes, Andre 3000 of Outkast, and others, on an album that references everything from Japanese pop culture ("Harajuku Girls") to FIDDLER ON THE ROOF ("Rich Girl," featuring rapper Eve). Sensual R&B rhythms, frenetic hip-hop beats, and yes, the occasional pop/rock echo of No Doubt, all share space on LOVE, ANGEL, MUSIC, BABY, filtered through a fun-loving, party-starting sensibility. minimize