112 is the eponymous debut album from the R&B group 112. It was released on August 27, 1996 as one of the first R&B records on Sean Combs' Bad Boy label. The majority of the album was produced by Combs, Tim & Bob and one of the first Hitmen, Stevie J. It also included contributions from group member Daron Jones, Al B Sure!, Kyle West, Arnold Hennings and Boyz II Men vocalist Wanya Morris. The album features label mates the late The Notorious B.I.G., Mase and Faith Evans. Three singles were released from the album: "Only You" (both original and remix version), "Come See Me" and "Cupid". All of the singles had music videos released.

Background

Originally known as Forte and still in their teens, the quartet enlisted the professional management services of Courtney Sills and Kevin Wales, who in turn brought the group to producers Tim & Bob where they eventually contacted Sean Combs. While the group was performing at the Buckhead 112 Club in Buckhead, Georgia, Combs Invited the group to New York at Combs's studio, called Daddy's House, where they began recording in August 1995, the song "Why Did You Love Me" a b-side track - being recorded at their first meeting, with engineer Steve Dent. Combs signed the group to his, Bad Boy Records. Thereafter known as 112, named after 112 Club. The debut single, "Only You," was released in the summer of 1996. It hit number 13 on Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. A remix version of the song was later released featuring label mates Mase and the late The Notorious B.I.G.. In July the song was certified gold, and preceded the self-titled debut album in August. Faith Evans, B.I.G., and Craig Mack contributed cameos on 112, which achieved gold-volume sales by the end of its first week. One of the tracks, "Come See Me," was released as the second single and reached number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 33 on the Hot 100 by January 1997. The third single "Cupid" was released in May 1997, which also made the top 40 and was certified gold in the same month and by August the song went platinum. The group toured with the Isleys, Keith Sweat, and New Edition, as well as with Puff Daddy and the Family, totaling four separate tours. The group spent 18 successive months on the road fulfilling tour commitments.^[1]

"Cupid" was performed on a 1997 episode of the Nickelodeon show All That and in a 1996 episode of Moesha where 112 appeared as Q's cousins who performed "Only You" for Kim Parker and Niecy Jackson.

Reception

Critical

Leo Stanley of Allmusic gave the album 4 out of 5 stars stating that "as the first romantic soul group on Puff Daddy's Bad Boy label, 112 at least has the appearance of originality. However, their eponymous debut demonstrates that this is only an appearance - in reality, they are much like a Boyz II Men clone. That's not necessarily bad, actually. 112 have strong voices, and their smooth harmonies are quite seductive, making the lack of originality in their music easy to overlook. A little more variety on 112 would have been nice the album consists almost entirely of ballads but the group's sound and Puffy's professional production make it a pleasurable record nevertheless."

Track listing

1. "112 Intro"  2:12
2. "Now That We're Done"  5:09
3. "Pleasure & Pain"  4:17
4. "Why (Interlude)"  1:43
5. "Cupid"  4:12
6. "Call My Name"  4:04
7. "Come See Me"  4:25
8. "Sexy You (Interlude)"  1:50
9. "Can I Touch You"  5:05
10. "I Can't Believe" (featuring Faith Evans)  5:32
11. "Keep It Real (Interlude)"  2:39
12. "Only You" (Bad Boy Remix) (featuring The Notorious B.I.G. & Mase)  4:49
13. "I Will Be There"  4:47
14. "In Love With You"  4:33
15. "Just a Little While"  3:48
16. "Why Does"  4:34
17. "This Is Your Day"  4:47
18. "Throw It All Away"  4:51
19. "Only You" (Clean Radio Mix) (featuring The Notorious B.I.G.)  4:21

Samples

"Call My Name" sampled "Walk on By" by Isaac Hayes

"Only You" sampled "I Get Lifted" by KC & the Sunshine Band & "Feels Good" by Tony! Toni! Ton !

"Only You" (Remix) sampled "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll" by Vaughan Mason and Crew

Credits

Bob ?- Engineer, Mixing, Producer

Al B. Sure!- Producer

Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander- Mixing

Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie- Programming

Daniel Beroff Assistant- Engineer

Carlos "6 July" Broady- Remastering

Danny Clinch- Photography

Sean "Puffy" Combs- Composer, Executive Producer, Producer

Lane Craven Engineer,- Mixing

Stephen Dent -Second Engineer

The Emotions

Faith Evans - Vocals

Bill Esses -Engineer

Richard Finch -Composer

Rasheed Goodlowe -Second Engineer

Mr. Cheeks - Rap

Groovey Lew- Clothing/Wardrobe

Arnold Hennings -Producer

Stevie J.- Producer

D. Jones -Composer

Daron Jones- Piano, Producer

S. Jordan- Composer

Michael Keith- Composer

Tim Kelly Bass,- Drums

Paul Logus Engineer,- Mixing

Chauncey Mahan- Engineer

Mase- Rap

Tony Maserati- Engineer, Mixing

Wanya Morris- Producer

Nasheim Myrick- Remastering

Axel Niehaus- Engineer

The Notorious B.I.G.- Composer, Rap

Quinnes Parker- Composer

Michael Patterson -Engineer, Mixing

Herb Powers -Mastering

Kelly Price -Vocals (Background)

Darin Prindle -Mixing

Alexander Richbourg- Producer

Bob Robinson- Keyboards, Piano

Kelly Robinson- Keyboards

D.J. Rogers -Composer

Marvin Scandrick- Composer

Courtney Sills -Hair Stylist

Tim Engineer,- Mixing, Producer

Kevin Wales- Associate Executive Producer, Clothing/Wardrobe

Barry White -Hair Stylist

Doug Wilson Mixing,- Second Engineer

Charts

Singles

Release history

References

it:112 (album)