Transition (Chipmunk album)

Transition
Studio album by Chipmunk
Released 15 April 2011
Recorded The Black Rooms
(Los Angeles, California)
Titanium Music Studios
(London, England)
The Record Plant
(Los Angeles, California)
MSM Studios
(London, England)
The Boom Boom Rooms
(Los Angeles, California)
Genre Hip hop, UK hip hop, grime, R&B
Length 50:28
Label Jive, Sony Music
Producer Harmony "H-Money" Samuels (also exec.), Parker, Dready, Elliott "E-Man", Fyffe, Claybeat, Jahmaal Fyffe (exec.)
Chipmunk chronology
I Am Chipmunk
(2009)		 Transition
(2011)
Singles from Transition
  1. "Flying High"
    Released: 12 November 2010
  2. "Champion"
    Released: 6 February 2011
  3. "In the Air"
    Released: 13 March 2011
  4. "Take Off"
    Released: 17 June 2011

Transition is the second studio album by English hip-hop artist Chipmunk. It was released on 15 April 2011 by Jive Records in the United Kingdom, but was set to be released in the United States on 12 July 2011 by RCA Records at the same time with Jive Records and Sony Music Entertainment. The album debuted at number 10 in the United Kingdom, with first-week sales of 9,445 copies.[1]

Background

While discussing Transition, Chipmunk said, "It kinda represents the growth in me as a person since my last album, so the sound has matured as well as I have and that’s the main thing for me with the record - I just wanted the sound, the sound and the feel of the album to feel… I feel like a granddad but you know, just more mature than my first album, you know life’s changed." The album features American artists Keri Hilson, Chris Brown, Trey Songz,[2] Kalenna Harper from Diddy-Dirty Money,[3] Jamaican dancehall musician Mavado[4] and British rapper Wretch 32.[5] In late 2010, the second single off Transition, "Champion" had leaked onto the Internet. In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, Chipmunk said: "When it [the track] leaked, I was looking at the sky asking, 'God, why?’ I just didn't understand. The amount of thought process that went into that track, the amount of battles we had for that track." [6][7]

Singles

"Flying High" was a promotional single released from the album. It was released on 12 November 2010 for digital download.[8] Its highest charting position on the UK Singles Chart is number 72. "Champion" was the second single released from the album, and features vocals from American singer Chris Brown and was released on 6 February 2011.[9] It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. The third single released from the album - on 11 April 2011 - was "In The Air" featuring vocals from US R&B singer/songwriter Keri Hilson, which peaked at Number 37 on the UK Singles Chart.[10] "Every Gyal" topped the Jamaican chart and went to number 1.[11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
4Music(positive)[12]
Allmusic[13]
BBC Music(favourable)[14]
The Guardian[15]
The Independent[16]
Metro[17]
Daily Mirror[18]
The Observer[19]
Virgin Media[20]

Transition received mixed to positive reviews from most music critics. Robert Copsey of Digital Spy was positive, he commented that After dazzling us with his 'Diamond Rings' two years ago and platinum selling debut I Am Chipmunk, the one-time underground MC withdrew from the music scene after criticism came from his original fans for abandoning his roots and a non-stop promo schedule led to a bout of exhaustion. The result of his sabbatical is his aptly titled Transition LP, but does it live up to its promising name? Transition is an impressive effort that focuses as much on the lyrics as it does production - both of which are slick, on point and considered throughout. The album suffers from being two tracks too long, particularly as there is little deviance in subject matter, but it's nonetheless a significant step up from his debut that ultimately leaves us excited for his next metamorphosis.[21] Jesal Padania of RapReviews gave a glowing review, praising the "underrated gem" for being coherent, whilst reserving special praise for the dominant producer, H-Money.[22]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Transition"  Jahmaal Fyffe, Harmony SamuelsHarmony "H-Money" Samuels4:48
2."Follow My Lead" (featuring Eric B)Fyffe, Samuels, Eric BellingerH-Money3:48
3."Flying High"  Fyffe, SamuelsH-Money3:13
4."Champion" (featuring Chris Brown)Fyffe, Samuels, Bellinger, Chris Brown, Kevin McCall, Erika NuriH-Money5:54
5."Foul"  Fyffe, Peter IghileParker3:16
6."In the Air" (featuring Keri Hilson)Fyffe, Samuels, BellingerH-Money3:56
7."Then and Now"  Fyffe, Karl Daniel, Jermaine RileyDready4:12
8."White Lies" (featuring Kalenna of Diddy-Dirty Money)Fyffe, Samuels, Deborah JoshuaH-Money3:35
9."Every Gyal" (featuring Mavado)Fyffe, Daniel, David BrooksDready4:11
10."Take Off" (featuring Trey Songz)Fyffe, SamuelsH-Money4:03
11."Armageddon" (featuring Wretch 32)Fyffe, Samuels, T. Parker, Jermaine ScottH-Money3:40
12."Picture Me" (featuring Ace Young)Fyffe, Samuels, Bellinger, A. RoweH-Money3:57
13."Pray for Me"  Fyffe, Elliott Fyffe, Clayton Morrison, Samuels, DanielElliott "E-Man" Fyffe, Claybeat, H-Money4:28

Charts

Charts (2011) Peak position
Scottish Albums Chart[23] 13
UK Albums Chart[24] 10
UK R&B Albums Chart[25] 3

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom 18 April 2011 CD/digital Jive, Sony Music United Kingdom

References

  1. ↑ Jones, Alan (25 April 2011). "Adele returns to top spot in album charts". Music Week. United Business Media. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  2. ↑ Chipmunk 'Transition' (Artwork + Tracklist) on ChipDaily.net
  3. ↑ Chipmunk – Transition | Album Cover x Tracklisting on SoulCulture.co.uk
  4. ↑ Trey and Keri aid Chip's Transition on TheSun.co.uk
  5. ↑ TalaTela interview Chipmunk by CJ Rutter on 2011-02-10.
  6. ↑ CHIPMUNK HURT BY TRACK LEAK? on MTV.co.uk
  7. ↑ Chipmunk upset by leaked track by Robert Copsey on 2010-11-30.
  8. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Flying High - Single by Chipmunk". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  9. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Champion (feat. Chris Brown) - Single by Chipmunk". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-02-06. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  10. ↑ Chipmunk interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' April 2011
  11. ↑ http://www.xxlmag.com/features/2012/03/act-like-u-know-chip/
  12. ↑ Chipmunk - Transition - 4Music
  13. ↑ Chipmunk - Transition - Allmusic
  14. ↑ BBC - Music - Review of Chipmunk - Transition
  15. ↑ "Chipmunk: Transition - review". The Guardian. London. 14 April 2011.
  16. ↑ Gill, Andy (15 April 2011). "Album: Chipmunk, Transition (Jive) - Reviews, Music - The Independent". The Independent. London.
  17. ↑ Chipmunk, Transition: Album Review
  18. ↑ Transition by Chipmunk - review - mirror.co.uk
  19. ↑ Empire, Kitty (17 April 2011). "Chipmunk: Transition – review". The Guardian. London.
  20. ↑ Chipmunk: Transition Album Review - Reviews - Music - Virgin Media
  21. ↑ Published Monday, Apr 18 2011, 12:50 BST (2011-04-18). "Chipmunk: 'Transition' - Music Album Review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  22. ↑ "Chipmunk :: Transition :: Jive Records/Sony Music". Rapreviews.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  23. ↑ "Scottish Albums Top 40 - 17th March 2012". Official Charts. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  24. ↑ "Official UK Albums Top 100 - 17th March 2012 | The UK Charts | Top 40 | Official Charts Company". Theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  25. ↑ "R&B Albums Top 40 - 17th March 2012". Official Charts. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
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