I Need an Angel (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Ruben Studdard (vocals); Fred Hammond (vocals, drum programming, background vocals); Harvey Watkins, Jr. (vocals); Warryn Campbell (various instruments, piano, organ, programming); Calvin "Joonie" Gary, Jr., Joey Woolfalk, Eric D. Jackson (guitar); South Central Chamber Orchestra (strings); Dontae Winslow, Divine Order Horns (horns); Tim Carmon (organ); Noel Hall (keyboards); Andrew Gouche (bass guitar); Eric Seats, Dion Neuble (drums); Tommie Walker (drum programming); Aminah Ofumbi, Clarissa Watkins, Seven Morris, James Chip Burney, A.J. Wright & The Tribe Called Judah, Alethea Mills, Chavonne Morris (background vocals); Donnie Lyle, John Jubu Smith (guitar); DeWayne Swan (piano, keyboards); Glendon Campbell (drums); Abel Garibaldi, Ian Mereness (programming).

Audio Mixers: Abel Garibaldi; Fred Hammond; Manny Marroquin; Dave Russell ; James Beville; R. Kelly; Ray Hammond.

Recording information: Audiostate 55, Birmingham, AL; Face To Face Studios, Southfield, MI; Fever Recording Studio, North Hollywood, CA; Hitland Studios, Tacoma, WA; Record One, Sherman Oaks, CA; South Beach Studios, Miami Beach, FL; The Chocolate Factory, Chicago, IL; The Underlab, L.A., CA.

Editors: Aaron Renner; Dabling Harward; Dave Russell ; Tony Sheppard.

Photographer: Kareem Black.

Arrangers: Eric Dawkins; Fred Hammond; Derek Clark; R. Kelly; Anson Dawkins.

On his debut album, AMERICAN IDOL's second-season winner Ruben Studdard, like runner-up Clay Aiken, surprised some listeners by delivering a disc that presented much less teeny-bopper pop than might be expected, considering the TV show's audience. While Aiken developed a Barry Manilow-esque modern-pop/Broadway hybrid, Studdard dove deep into R&B, unveiling a surprisingly mature effort loaded with urban street credibility.

With 2004's I NEED AN ANGEL, the "Velvet Teddy Bear" once again proves that he is his own man, by recording a full album of contemporary gospel featuring songs by heavy-hitters Fred Hammond, Bill Gaither, and Walter Hawkins, along with the R. Kelly-penned title track. Though often compared to Luther Vandross, here Studdard does his best Al Green, with the smooth, nimble, bass-laden "Goin' Up Yonder" sounding like a combination of Reverend Green and WHAT'S GOING ON-era Marvin Gaye. "Fix It, Jesus," on the other hand, is pure old-school revival meeting, with a foot-stomping beat sure to raise the rafters and engage the spirit. A work that's both uplifting and highly accessible, I NEED AN ANGEL is a clear indication of Studdard's continued artistic growth. minimize