Feb 2007

1997 saw the release of Mariah Carey's "Butterfly", a milestone of an album that signaled a new direction in her career. Having recently divorced Sony Records CEO, Tommy Motola, the single most instrumental figure in her meteoric rise hitherto, her newfound freedom was clearly evident on Butterfly. From her sexy image on the album's cover to her fusion of a more R&B-like sound to her material, a somewhat reborn Mariah had emerged.

The album's lead single "Honey", produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs, was an instant chart topper. Not entirely deserting her established fan base, included are some truly wonderful ballads such as the heart melting and vocally excellent "My All", the superb title track, the magically serene "Fourth Of July", "Close My Eyes" and "Whenever You Call". "The Roof" is another excellent standout, which includes brilliant sampling of the backdrop to Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones". "Breakdown" featuring Krayzie Bone (of Bone Thugs n Harmony) is another worth a mention as is "Babydoll" another quality collaboration, this time with Dru Hill, co-written by Missy Elliott.

Mariah's bold musical venture, with hindsight unfairly underrated by critics pigeonholing the diva, was still a major success, a claim 11 million in worldwide sales can only justify. Her willingness to embrace R&B and Hip Hop influences has continued till today expanding her fan base to a new generation. Butterfly is definitely a major highlight in Mariah's career, spanning close to 17 years.

Folahan Adegoke, HMV Head Office

• Rolling Stone (10/30/97, pp.66-67) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...moves still further away from the warmed-over Whitney Houston of Carey's early recordings and firmly into the milieu of modern, hip-hop-inflected R&B. The surprise is that she does it rather well..."

A mature and contemplative Mariah Carey emerges as if from a chrysalis on her seventh album, displaying her now-familiar otherworldly vocal abilities tempered by a new restraint, as well as an infallible ear for irresistible rhythm-based, hook-laden music. BUTTERFLY's uptempo songs, including "Honey" and "Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise)", are flawlessly produced and catchy, and the title track soars with the spirit of independence and freedom.
BUTTERFLY is full of such hopeful, uplifting moments, but it is equally infused with a deep sense of sadness and loss, as displalyed on the album's numerous ballads, most notably "Breakdown", a simple, honest song with a "Tears Of A Clown" motif, on which Carey sings of hiding her sadness from the world. Both joy and grief are explored on this album with equal tenacity.

Also available in a CD/cassette value pack on Columbia (68845).
NOTES:
Personnel: Mariah Carey, Mase the Lox, Dru Hill (vocals); Michael Cirro (guitar); Donald Parker (piano, keyboards); Walter Afanasieff (keyboards, synthesizers, programming); Stevie J, Dan Shea, Cory Rooney (keyboards, programming); Peter Scwartz (keyboards); Gary Montoute (Hammond B-3 organ); Artie Reynolds (bass); Nathaniel Townsley (drums); Q-tip (programming); Krayzie Bone, Melonie Daniels, Wish Bone, Mary Ann Tatum, Kelly Price, Trey Lorenz, Clarence (background vocals).
Producers include: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Stevie J, Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff, David Morales.
Engineers include: Dana Jon Chappelle, Rich Travali, Glen Marchese, Mike Scott, David Gleeson.
Principally recorded at: The Hit Factory, New York, New York.
"Butterfly" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. "Honey" was nominated for 1998 Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.
A mature and contemplative Mariah Carey emerges as if from a chrysalis on her seventh album, displaying her now-familiar otherworldly vocal abilities tempered by a new restraint, as well as an infallible ear for irresistible rhythm-based, hook-laden music. BUTTERFLY's uptempo songs, including "Honey" and "Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise)," are flawlessly produced and catchy, and the title track soars with the spirit of independence and freedom.
BUTTERFLY is full of such hopeful, uplifting moments, but it is equally infused with a deep sense of sadness and loss, as displalyed on the album's numerous ballads, most notably "Breakdown," a simple, honest song with a "Tears Of A Clown" motif, on which Carey sings of hiding her sadness from the world. Both joy and grief are explored on this album with equal tenacity.

With her multi-octave voice and more than 80 million records sold worldwide, it's no surprise that pop diva Mariah Carey is viewed as the successor to Whitney Houston. She emerged as the premier R&B/pop songstress of the 1990s, and by the end of the decade had shifted gears a bit by collaborating with the likes of Ol' Dirty Bastard and incorporating elements of hip-hop into her sound. Though her 2001 big-screen debut, GLITTER, was a total flop and something of a blow to Carey's seemingly Teflon career, her 2005 comeback record, THE EMANCIPATION OF MIMI, solidified her status as a true pop-music diva.