Eric Benét (album)
| Eric Benét | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 7, 2016 | |||
| Length | 58:58 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
| |||
| Eric Benét chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Eric Benét | ||||
| ||||
Eric Benét is the eighth studio album by American R&B recording artist Eric Benét. It was first released by Jordan House and BMG Rights Management on October 7, 2016.[2] Benét's first major album release in four years following the release of the reissue The Other One and the Japan-exclusive album From E to U: Volume 1, the project features guest appearances from Tamia, Arturo Sandoval and MC Lyte. Supported by the single "Sunshine" and the remix of the track featuring Tamia, Eric Benét debuted at number 12 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Background
In 2014, Benét released his seventh studio album From E to U: Volume 1. Recorded exclusively for the Asian music market, it was released by his own label Jordan House in partnership with Primary Wave. A cover album, it was later made available worldwide on streaming services such as Spotify.[3]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Soul in Stereo | [5] |
AllMusic editor Andy Kellman rated the album four stars out of five and wrote: "No derailment, this picks up where The One left off, with a mature and modern sound deeply rooted in traditional R&B. Thanks in part to long-term associate Demonté Posey, who produced and wrote almost everything, it is a little friskier and funkier [...] This material never resembles an act of nostalgia, despite its intentional or unintentional references. It all stands on its own, casting the singer in a bright light, whether he's dealing out slow jams, sophisticated funk, or adult contemporary numbers."[4] Edward T. Bowser Soul in Stereo found that the blending of "musical genres on Eric Benét prove to be as timeless as its namesake – it's the type of album on a music veteran can successfully pull off. If his albums are this good in 2016, I can't wait to hear what he cooks up in 2026."[5]
SoulTracks critic Melody Charles called the album "one of his most excellent and enjoyable CDs yet." She noted that "Benét and his longtime collaborator, Demonte Posey, stay true to his proven template of classically-rendered instrumentation anchoring modern twists on love and relationships. Eric is traditionally soulful throughout, yet incorporates elements of other genres that invigorate and expand his style."[6] Erik Ernst from The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel' described the album as a "disc that explores the wide aspects of modern R&B [...] Benét has long been an emotive singer, and that emotion here is rife with love, affection and a devotion to a muse that grooves on rhythm and soul."[7]
Commercial performance
Eric Benét failed to chart on the US Billboard 200 but opened and peaked at number 12 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[8] It was the singers first album to miss the chart's top ten.[8] It also reached number 30 on the Independent Albums chart.[9]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Can't Tell U Enough" |
|
| 4:37 |
| 2. | "Sunshine" |
|
| 5:13 |
| 3. | "Insane" |
|
| 4:50 |
| 4. | "Cold Trigger" |
|
| 4:59 |
| 5. | "Home" |
|
| 4:54 |
| 6. | "Holdin' On" (featuring MC Lyte) |
|
| 4:08 |
| 7. | "Fun & Games" |
|
| 6:16 |
| 8. | "Run to Me" (featuring Arturo Sandoval) |
|
| 5:10 |
| 9. | "Floating Thru Time" |
|
| 4:40 |
| 10. | "Broke, Beat & Busted" |
| Richmond | 5:08 |
| 11. | "That Day" | Benét |
| 4:25 |
| 12. | "Never Be the Same (Luna's Lullaby)" |
|
| 4:43 |
| Total length: | 58:58 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Sunshine (Remix)" (featuring Tamia) |
|
| 4:56 |
| Total length: | 64:54 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Sunshine (Remix)" (featuring Tamia) |
|
| 4:56 |
| 14. | "Sunshine (Factor 50 Remix)" (featuring Tamia) |
|
| 5:09 |
| 15. | "Floating Thru Time (Levitation Remix)" |
|
| 5:08 |
Notes
- ^[a] denotes additional producer
Charts
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[9] | 30 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[8] | 12 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | October 7, 2016 | [10] |
References
- ^ "Eric Benét Is Adding a Little 'Sunshine' to Your Summer". EBONY. June 8, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ "Eric Benét Talks New Album and Being Back in the Studio with Tamia | WJBD | South Central Illinois' News Sports and Weather Station". Wjbdradio.com. October 7, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ "MiddleChild Promotions".
- ^ a b Allmusic review
- ^ a b Bowser, Edward. "Album Review: Eric Benét – Eric Benét". Soul in Stereo. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via youknowigotsoul.com.
- ^ Charles, Melody. "Eric Benet (album review) (2016)". SoulTracks. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ Ernst, Erik. "Album reviews: Eric Benet, NOFX, more". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Eric Benet Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- ^ a b "Eric Benet Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- ^ "Eric Benét by Eric Benét on Apple Music". iTunes. October 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.