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Anita Baker Delays New Album “Only Forever” Till 2013

Anita Baker was set to drop her new album “Only Forever” on December 4th via EMI. Now UrbanBridgez.com has learned the new album will be released sometime in the first quarter of 2013!

The captivating voice behind such timeless gems as “Sweet Love,” “Giving You the Best That I Got,” “Just Because,” “I Apologize” and “Fairy Tales” is back.

Singer/songwriter/producer and eight-time Grammy Award winner Anita Baker is releasing her seventh studio album, Only Forever (Blue Note Records/EMI). The new album, executive produced by Baker and musician/Blue Note president Don Was. With four platinum and two gold albums to her credit, this is Baker’s first set of original material since 2004’s My Everything.

“It was just time,” says Baker, who is transitioning into the role of empty nester now that both sons are attending college. “I want to connect with my fans. They’ve been so supportive.”

Because of that support, Baker has already added another hit to her arsenal with the anticipated set’s lead single, “Lately.” Baker’s sensual, bluesy revamp of the 1999 Tyrese hit was launched in unprecedented fashion on Aug. 6: Clear Channel’s Urban AC stations played the song every hour on the hour. Subsequently, the single marked the singer/songwriter/producer’s triumphant return to Billboard’s Urban AC chart. A top 5 hit after only three weeks, the Underdogs-produced track debuted at No. 10—Baker’s highest-bowing single since 1994’s “Body & Soul” at No. 15.

Those numbers aren’t the story, however. The real story is a very clear and simple one. No one sings the hell out of a song and touches souls the way Anita Baker can.

But as an analog-bred singer working in a digital/Pro Tools world, Baker confronted a challenge: how to balance both worlds without sacrificing her unique sound and style.

“There’s a lot to respect about current day but I had never really recorded in a totally digital environment before. I had to try it on,” explains Baker. “My music is 360 degrees: going from my heart to the studio to my fans and the live stage. At the same time, however, I wanted to be with my contemporaries.”

So she started recording the songs in analog with a live rhythm section, then took them digital and added some live overdubs. Baker also called on hit-making songwriter/producers representing both worlds, namely The Underdogs (Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown) and frequent collaborator Barry Eastmond (Baker’s Rhythm of Love and My Everything, Whitney Houston). Co-producers include noted bassist and Fourplay member Nathan East and “American Idol” music director Ray Chew.

The resulting Only Forever is a seamless fusion of classic and contemporary soul that remains true to what Baker does best: weaving her earthy yet sultry vocals within an exquisite tapestry of R&B laced with jazz and gospel. And love remains the singer/songwriter’s favorite topic.

“Oh god, no. I never get tired of singing about love,” says Baker with a laugh. “It breathes life into me.”

The singer illustrates that to perfection on another Underdogs-produced track, the lush “Unconditionally Yours.” The Baker-penned track talks about unconditional surrender in a relationship. “I lay down my sword \ This victory is yours \ I fight you no more \ Baby, please remember that I love to surrender to you,” sings Baker.

She switches into jazz mode on two songs she co-wrote with East: “Let Go” and “Play Me Your Music.” Another song, the up-tempo “Heartbeat,” was co-written by Vernon Fails. With Baker, he co-wrote her 1990 hit “Fairy Tales,” but passed away last year. Inspired by her sons’ leaving home, Baker examines love from a different scope on a collaboration with Was, “Free.” Baker also produced the track “Falling in Love.”

Baker’s mesmerizing voice first attracted national attention in 1975. That’s when the17-year-old—born in Toledo, Ohio and raised in Detroit—joined the Motor City group Chapter 8. Signed to Ariola, the act released a 1979 self-titled debut album that spawned two R&B-charting singles: “Ready For Your Love” and “I Just Wanna Be Your Girl.”

The former church choir member and legal secretary next took the solo route, signing with indie label Beverly Glen Records. A year later, Baker landed her first top five R&B single with the alluring anthem “Angel.” Co-written by Baker, the ballad revealed the singer’s talent for penning insightful lyrics about romance and relationships.

Segueing to Elektra in 1985, Baker catapulted to stardom with Rapture. The 1986 sophomore album yielded her first mainstream hit, “Sweet Love” (No. 8 pop, No. 2 R&B). The single was among several songs (including “Been So Long,” “Watch Your Step“) that Baker wrote or co-wrote for the album. Selling more than six million and racking up four top 10 R&B hits, Rapture earned Baker the first of her eight Grammys: Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for the album and Best R&B Song for “Sweet Love.”

During her Elektra tenure, Baker scored three more platinum albums and more Grammys: 1988’s Giving You the Best That I Got (whose title track was her first No. 1 R&B and biggest pop hit at No. 3); 1990’s Compositions and 1994’s Rhythm of Love. She further sharpened her songwriting skills, penning more Baker classics such as “Talk to Me” and “I Apologize” in addition to “Giving You the Best That I Got.” Taking a break to devote time to her family, Baker returned to center stage in 2004 with a new label—Blue Note—and a new album—the gold-certified My Everything.

The following year, Blue Note released the singer’s first holiday album, the gold Christmas Fantasy. Rounding out her catalog are the greatest hits package The Best of Anita Baker and live album A Night of Rapture: Live.

Now without missing a beat, one of music’s most revered singer/songwriter/producers is back on the scene with Only Forever.

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28 Comments

    1. I hope everyone can wait as long as i have been waiting on this new cd, I just hope that bluenote and Anita quit pushing it back month after month already (remember music is different now new artists are on the rise. (waited too long

      1. I agree. I love Anita, but this is ridiculous. It’s really now 2 years behind. Not a good sign. At some point, the fans are going to move on.

  1. We love you Anita and miss you even more!!!! PLEASE release the CD so that we can hear that sweet voice again!!!!

    1. I’m with you on that…as a die hard fan of Anita’s…I can wait because, just like before, it will be worth the wait: GUARANTEED. One Love. Peace. :)

  2. Anita wil perform her latest singe “lately” on the jimmy kimmel show on mon feb 4th at 11:30pm. much anticipation still lingering as to when the new cd will be released.

  3. Anita I do want your record to come out right now ,but if you want it to be as good as your other records than do your thing . I love your music

  4. It is agonizing to wait , but Ms Amita baker is one true class act , and artist of her era are not talented , they are gifted from the man above , because they reach and touch people souls , Ms Anita Baker remains a very special in my life , I happened to discover her in 1986 and that was was the very first year I arrived in America and her usic touched my soul then …. 27 years later now 49 years old not one thing has changed , I will wait for that album no matter how long …love than woman.

  5. Trust, it’s not Bluenote that’s holding the CD up. This is all Ms. Baker’s doing. She is a perfectionist and prefers to cut vocals live, not rely on computers to enhance or change her voice. I guess I can accept that. I do feel that this CD is going to be HOT! We will be jammin to this new CD all ring and summer. My word.

  6. I can not wait for Anita’s album. I was so excited that she released Lately on my birthday. That was the best gift ever. Anita’s is the best of the best. Her music brings me joy.

    Dee from Tx.

  7. From her red carpet interview from the 2013 Grammys, Anita said the record company was moving and she didn’t have a date. I am not sure what the move had to do with giving a release date. She hasn’t yet tweeted the date herself, but EMI did in a billboard article.
    We have been waiting since 2010….then it was scaled back to 2011 then she was on Tom Joyner (TJ) show saying it was done , but she didn’t say when it would be released.
    Then we all thought the cd title was “21 Century Love” but when she did the interview with Soledad …it was changed to “Only Forever” then it was to be released in the fall 2012 then Dec then Jan 2013 now June 2013. There’s a history with this cd and it reminds me of 2000 when she was recording and said she heard popping noise and her songs could not be re-salvaged. Then we got “My Everything” in 2004 which to me did not sound like a comeback cd. “Only Forever” is more a comeback cd becuase of her hit “Lately”. I can’t wait to hear it and see her live in Detroit hopefully this summer.

  8. Its both tired and tacky to keep leading the customers on’ Originally it was to debut 10/2012. I cannot believe it is still unavailable! That says a lot.

    1. Yes it says tht your use to this tired tacky music that’s being put out now, and 6mths later you don’t her the song anymore. Good music takes time quality music takes time, as an artist you want it to feel right for you and your fans. So just sit back relax listen to her music of old, it’ll tide you til “only forever” gets here…Ms. Baker can wait…

    2. I give up. The least one can do is be honest instead of giving false release dates. This is way over… Moving on..

  9. this cd has been pushed back so much , after awhile fans will move on and lose interest Anita your the best but why keep your fans waiting like this?

    1. @Jaleel Mcaliser A real fan will not move on as they appreciate talent and want Anita to do the thing that she does best and that is Sing.

  10. Im “Givin you the best that I got” Ms.Baker,
    but its “Been So Long” since we heard new music from you so please don’t mislead us with anymore “Fairy tales” of a new release date. Just do “Whatever it takes” to solve this “Mystery” for all of us. “I apologize”
    for using your song titles. I pray it shows my “Sweet Love” for you, your voice, talent, & your artistry…..
    YOU BRING ME JOY,
    Delvacqio Wicker

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