Queen Alone is the second studio album by American singer Nicole Wray, released on September 23, 2016, by Big Crown Records.[2] This is her first solo album in 18 years since her last album Make It Hot and her first under a new name, Lady Wray.[3]

Queen Alone
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2016 (2016-09-23)
Recorded2014–2016
StudioThe Diamond Mine
(Queens, New York)
Genre
Length34:53
LabelBig Crown Records
Producer
Lady Wray chronology
Make It Hot
(1998)
Queen Alone
(2016)
Piece of Me
(2022)

Background and development

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In 2009, Wray formed a musical duo called Lady, with English R&B singer Terri Walker.[4] In 2012, the duo toured as the background vocalists for Lee Fields and the Expressions during his international tour. During the tour, Lady recorded their self-titled album and released it in March 2013 on Truth and Soul Records. Heavily influenced by late-'60s and early-'70s soul music, their album spawned three singles: "Money", "Get Ready", and "Good Lovin'".[4] After Walker left the duo during their tour in mid-2013, Wray retitled the music act "Lady, the Band" and continued on with the addition of two background singers for the conclusion of the tour.[4] After the roster move from Truth and Soul Records to Big Crown Records, Wray adopted the stage name Lady Wray.

Recording and production

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Lady Wray began recording the album in 2014. The album was recorded at The Diamond Mine, a private recording studio founded by Leon Michels and Thomas Brenneck in Queens, New York.[5] Continuing the sound of Lady, her album with Terri Walker, Queen Alone contains a mix of contemporary R&B and 60s/70s retro soul.[1] Each song was written by Wray and produced by Leon Michels and Tom Brenneck.[1]

"Smiling" was the first song recorded for the album.[5] Wray originally wrote "Do It Again" for Lee Fields' album Special Night but retained the song after being encouraged by Michels and Brenneck.[1] "Do It Again" would go on to serve the lead single, released on June 10, 2016.

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."It's Been a Long Time"2:59
2."Do It Again"3:59
3."Smiling"3:19
4."Guilty"3:34
5."In Love (Don't Mess Things Up)"2:17
6."Make Me Over"2:24
7."Cut Me Loose"3:27
8."Underneath My Feet"2:39
9."They Won't Hang Around"3:53
10."Bad Girl"2:43
11."Let It Go"3:39

Personnel

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Credits for Queen Alone adapted from album liner notes.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Mitchell, Gail (September 9, 2016). "Lady Wray Brings Sultry Soul on 'Queen Alone'". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  2. ^ "Lady Wray: Queen Alone". iTunes. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Graded on a Curve: Lady Wray, Queen Alone". 20 September 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "Lady Biography AllMusic". Allmusic. December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "From Missy to Lady Wray: How Nicole Wray Rode Out a 20-Year R&B Roller Coaster". Village Voice. December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.