Return is the sixth studio album by the Christian gospel vocal group The Winans, released on April 24, 1990 by Qwest/Warner Bros. Records. Starting with this album it was also the formation of Warner Bros. Gospel/Christian label Warner Alliance.
The Winans returned with a more urban contemporary sound with Return with the opening new jack swing track, "It's Time." Featuring the rap intro by musician - producer Teddy Riley, "It's Time" is the title song of the album, in which it addresses the theme of repentance with a specific reference to urban violence. Accompanied by a music video, "It's Time" became the brothers first major mainstream success in the R&B market, climbing up to the Top 5 on the R&B charts and the song topped the Christian CHR chart for 8 weeks. The Winans were the fifth gospel act to top the Christian CHR chart, in which most songs are topped by white acts in Christian radio like Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Petra.
Other track highlights include "Everyday the Same" featuring harmonica and cameo vocals by Stevie Wonder, " "When You Cry" featuring the saxophone by Kenny G. and "A Friend" featuring Aaron Hall of the R&B group Guy (for which Riley is also a member). Further music videos were made for "A Friend" and "Don't Leave Me." The Winans did face some criticism with this album, particularly with "It's Time" with its new jack swing sound, which most gospel audiences objected and for working with secular musicians and employing worldly sounds like hip-hop and rap. The Winans found that their mainstream connections opened many doors for them in terms of ministry. In 2001, CCM Magazine named this album as one of the "100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music," ranking it at number 61.
Return was The Winans' only Gold certified album selling 500,000 copies. The album charted on the following Billboard album charts:
#1 Billboard Top Gospel Albums
#4 Billboard Top Christian Albums
#12 Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
#90 Billboard 200 Albums
In 1991, The Winans were the first recipients of a Dove Award in its inaugural category of Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Recorded Song of the Year for "It's Time" and they won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album. They were nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
Track listing
All songs were written by Marvin Winans, except where noted.
1. It's Time (featuring Teddy Riley) (Marvin Winans, Carvin Winans, Teddy Riley,
Bernard Bell) -5:19
2. Everyday the Same (harmonica and cameo vocals by Stevie Wonder) -4:56
3. Don't Leave Me -5:40
4. A Friend (featuring Aaron Hall) (Teddy Riley, Bernard Bell, Tammy Lucas) -5:54
5. Gonna Be Alright (Carvin Winans, Jennifer E. Brantley) -4:40
6. When You Cry (saxophone by Kenny G.) (Carvin Winans, Leroy Hyter) -6:03
7. Together We Stand -5:01
8. This Time It's Personal (Carvin Winans, Michael Winans, Regina Winans) -3:42
9. Free (Lanar Brantley) -4:24
10. Wherever I Go -3:56
Gold certified in 1992.
Personnel
The Winans:
Marvin Winans -vocals
Carvin Winans - vocals
Michael Winans - vocals
Ronald Winans -vocals
Production credits
The Winans -producers (tracks 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9)
Michael J. Powell -producer (tracks 2, 5 -7)
Teddy Riley -producer (tracks 1, 3 and 4)
Bernard Bell -co-producer (tracks 1 and 4)
Marvin Winans -producer (track 10)
Accolades
Dove Award -Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Recorded Song of the Year ("It's Time" featuring
Teddy Riley)
Soul Train Music Award -Best Gospel Album
Radio singles
1990 "It's Time" featuring Teddy Riley -#1 Christian CHR for 8 weeks, #5 Billboard
Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs, #42 Billboard Dance Music Sales
1990 "Everyday the Same" -#1 Christian CHR for 2 weeks, #1 Christian AC for 2
weeks
Hip Hop Songs
1990 -1991 "When You Cry" -#12 Christian AC, #40 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop
Songs
1991 "Don't Leave Me" -#13 Christian CHR, #34 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs
1991 "Together We Stand" -#25 Christian CHR, #24 Christian AC
Previous release: Live at Carnegie Hall (1988)
Watch the music video of "It's Time" featuring Teddy Riley here:
Watch the music video of "A Friend" featuring Aaron Hall here:
Watch the music video of "Don't Leave Me" with a guest appearance by actor Blair Underwood here:
Comments