Traces of My Lipstick


Traces of My Lipstick is the third studio album by American R&B group Xscape. The album was released on May 12, 1998, through So So Def Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment. The album was preceded by the release of three singles: "The Arms of the One Who Loves You", "My Little Secret" and "Softest Place on Earth".
The album debuted at number 28 on the US Billboard 200 and number six Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on June 21, 1999.

Background and release

"Traces of My Lipstick" was the group's first album in three years after the release of their second album Off the Hook. As with previous albums Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha and Off the Hook, the album was chiefly produced by Jermaine Dupri with Manuel Seal, Jr. and Daryl Simmons, with addition production from Babyface, Joe Thomas, Warryn Campbell and Keith Sweat.
"All About Me" originally featured rap verses by Dupri and Foxy Brown that were eventually removed to avoid a parental advisory designation. Brown's voice can still be heard at the end of "All About Me " and the beginning of "All About Me ".

Promotion

Singles

"The Arms of the One Who Loves You" was released as the lead single on February 14, 1998. The song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number four on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart. It sold 800,000 copies, earning a gold certification from the RIAA. "My Little Secret" was released as the album's second single on July 7, 1998. The song charted at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart. "Softest Place on Earth" was released as the album's third and final single on September 29, 1998. The song failed to chart in the Billboard Hot 100 but did chart at number twenty-eight on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart.

Other songs

"Am I Dreaming" is a song by Ol' Skool featuring Keith Sweat and Xscape and was released on January 27, 1998. The song peaked at number five on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart.

Critical reception

Traces of My Lipstick was met with mixed to positive reviews from critics. Billboard editor Paul Verna noted that Traces of My Lipstick was "full of tracks that listeners of all ages will be able to identify with. The
quartet shows a phenomenal level of versatility on this project, which showcases not only the group's two strongest vocalists — sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott – but also Kandi Burruss and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle." Entertainment Weeklys Cheo Tyehimba found that with the album "Xscape have learned what every old bluesman already knows: Infidelity makes good grist for a torchy slice of soul music. Still, this is the '90s, so the girls croon lines like "Everyone Cheats" with pure nonchalance and save their tender, surrendering coos for ballads like "Am I Dreamin'"." He gave the album a B rating. The Source remarked: "Like any good album, each song here is distinct from the next Rich, throaty and clear, they're strong enough to carry a song with the most minimal of beats."
Leo Stanley from Allmusic gave Traces of My Lipstick three stars out of five, stating: "On their third album, Traces of My Lipstick, Xscape pretty much follows the cue of their two earlier efforts, with only slightly diminished results. The group sounds as good as ever, bringing real soul and passion to their performances, but unfortunately much of their record consists of average, unremarkable material. There are enough strong songs to make the record enjoyable, but it simply doesn't have the same resonance as their two earlier efforts." Hakeem Stevens, writing for XXL magazine, called the project a "disappointing album." He felt that "unfortunately, while the album boasts an illustrious fine up of super-producers and songwriters Traces fails to come through with the goods," displaying "many generically-written R&B-pop-radio-friendly joints." He concluded: "Xscape has talent — but here they've been
boxed in by the constraints of formulaic songwriting and run-of-the-mill production."

Commercial performance

Traces of My Lipstick debuted at number twenty-eight on the US Billboard 200 and number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, lower than their two previous albums. The album reached Gold status on June 30, 1998 and was eventually certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on June 21, 1999, for shipments figures in excess of one million copies.

Track listing

Notes
  • denotes co-producer

Credits and personnel

Performers and musicians
Technical
  • Babyface – drum programming, producer
  • Warryn Campbell – producer
  • Bobby Crawford – drum programming
  • Jermaine Dupri – mixing, executive producer, producer
  • Brian Frye – engineer
  • John Frye – mixing assistance
  • Sean "Sep" Hall – drum programming
  • * Karl Heilbron – engineer
  • Joe – producer, programming
  • Tom "TK" Kidd – mixing
  • Kevin Lively – mixing assistance
  • Alex Lowe – mixing assistance
  • Michael Mauldin – executive producer
  • Neil Pogue – mixing
  • Chris Puram – engineer, mixing
  • Everett Ramos – engineer
  • Thomas Rickert – mixing assistance
  • Guy Roche – producer, programming
  • Manuel Seal, Jr – producer
  • Mike Seieizi – engineer
  • Ron A. Shaffer – mixing
  • Daryl Simmon – producer
  • Brian Smith – engineer
  • Keith Sweat – producer
  • Phil Tan – mixing
  • Rich Tapper – engineer
  • William "P Sound" Thomas – drum programming
  • Dave Way – mixing