Return of the Mack (album)
1996 studio album by Mark Morrison
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Return of the Mack is the debut studio album by English-Barbadian singer-songwriter Mark Morrison. It was first released through his Mack Life Records imprint in the UK and then released by Atlantic Records in the US, with distribution via Warner Music Group on 22 April 1996. The album includes a well-known popular song, "Return of the Mack", which stayed for a remarkable 41 weeks on the US Billboard charts. Upon its release, Return of the Mack received mixed reviews from music critics, who praised Morrison's strong voice and entertaining songs, but described the album as having weak production. The album stayed for 38 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, debuting at number 4, and became a certified platinum by British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[2] On the US Billboard 200, the album reached a peak of a number 76.[3] The album has since sold over three million copies worldwide.[4]
| Return of the Mack | ||||
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| Released | 22 April 1996 | |||
| Recorded | 1995–1996 | |||
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| Length | 48:49 | |||
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| Singles from Return of the Mack | ||||
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The album made Morrison the first artist in British pop history to have five top ten singles from a debut album to chart on the UK singles chart. These singles includes "Let's Get Down", "Return of the Mack", "Crazy (Remix)", "Trippin'", "Horny", and "Moan and Groan". Its lead single, "Crazy", became a top twenty hit in the UK, a remix was also released, which peaked at number 6 in the UK. The album's third single, "Return of the Mack", has become an international hit for spending two weeks at number one on the UK singles chart, and one week at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was listed at number 8 on the Billboard 200 year-end chart for 1997 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Morrison became the first black male solo artist to reach number one on the UK singles chart in the 1990s.[5] In 1997, he received four Brit Awards nominations, a Mercury Prize nomination, a MTV's Europe Music Awards nomination, and five Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) nominations. He would win the Best R&B song in the 1996's MOBO Awards for "Return of the Mack".[6]
Background
The album was released on 22 April 1996 through his own record label, Mack Life Records. The album was largely self-produced by Morrison, and was recorded over a two-year period. The album's release was preceded by the release of three singles.
Release and promotion
At the 1997 Brit Awards held on 24 February 1997, he performed "Return of the Mack".
Singles
The album's debut song, "Crazy", became a top 20 hit in the UK. It was later featured in the film, Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997), and appeared on the film's soundtrack album. The album's second single was a track, "Let's Get Down", being released on 20 September 1995.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B[7] |
| The Guardian | [8] |
Return of the Mack received mixed reviews from music critics. Entertainment Weekly writer Matt Diehl wrote "its title, "Return of the Mack" sounds like another rap tale of gangsta paradise; instead, Mark Morrison comes off more like a funked-up Seal, promising revenge to a deceitful lover in a warbly croon." He goes on to add, "the end result is an odd but infectious new-jack-swing variation on Hey Joe, buoyed by bubbly beats and the insistent title refrain."
Track listing
| No. | Title | Music | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Home Part 1 (Interlude)" | Billy Moss | Mark Morrison, Phil Chill | 1:08 |
| 2. | "Crazy" (featuring Angie Brown and Daddy Wattsie) | Jim Abbiss | Mark Morrison, Phil Chill, Mykaell Riley | 3:41 |
| 3. | "Let's Get Down" (featuring Lady Juice, Yvonne J. Lewis, Darae, George Hammond Hagan, and John Hammond Hagan) | Marcellus Fernandes | Brockpocket for CBL | 3:53 |
| 4. | "Get High with Me" (featuring Imaani) | R. Herrington, Mark Taylor, Phil Chill | Mark Taylor, Phil Chill | 3:58 |
| 5. | "Moan and Groan" (featuring Bev Skeete) | Phil Bodger, Billy Moss, Don E | Phil Chill | 5:27 |
| 6. | "Return of the Mack (C&J Street Mix)" (featuring Angie Brown) | R. Herrington, Phil Chill, Al Christie, Mike McEvoy | Phil Chill, Mark Morrison, Cutfather, Joe | 3:45 |
| 7. | "I Like" (featuring Yvonne J. Lewis, Darae, George Hammond Hagan, and John Hammond Hagan) | Marcellus Fernandes | Brockpocket for CBL | 3:49 |
| 8. | "Trippin'" (featuring Bev Skeete and Darae) | Billy Moss, Phil Chill, Don E | Mark Morrison, Phil Chill | 4:45 |
| 9. | "Tears for You" (featuring Imaani and Mica Paris) | Phil Bodger, Phil Chill, Mike McEvoy | Mark Morrison, Phil Chill, | 4:43 |
| 10. | "Horny" (featuring K–La) | Mike McEvoy, Phil Chill, Jim Abbiss | Mark Morrison, Phil Chill | 2:59 |
| 11. | "I Really Love You" (featuring Imaani) | Phil Bodger, Phil Chill | Mark Morrison, Phil Chill | 4:06 |
| 12. | "Crazy" (D-Influence Mix) | D-Influence, Mark Morrison, Phil Chill, Mykaell Riley | 4:21 | |
| 13. | "Home Part 2 (Interlude)" | Billy Moss | Mark Morrison, Phil Chill | 1:16 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Crazy" (D-Influence Mix) | |
| 2. | "Let's Get Down" (D-Influence Mix) | |
| 3. | "Get High with Me" | |
| 4. | "Moan and Groan" (C&J Extended Mix) | |
| 5. | "Return of the Mack" (C&J X-Tended Radio Edit) | |
| 6. | "I Like" (D-Influence Mix) | |
| 7. | "Trippin'" (C&J Mix) | |
| 8. | "Horny" (C&J Extended Mix) | |
| 9. | "Tears for You" | |
| 10. | "Candy" | |
| 11. | "Return of the Mack" (Da Beatminerz Remix) | |
| 12. | "Crazy" (Phil Chill Radio Edit) |
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[19] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[20] | Gold | 100,000^ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Label(s) | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 22 April 1996 | Mack Life, Warner Music Group | CD, cassette, vinyl |
| United States | 22 March 1997 |