Recording and Conception
Although much of the album was not recorded until late into its production, Norwood had been working on and off on a follow-up to Afrodisiac since 2005. Yet unsigned, she entered the studio with several songwriters and producers to create new music, including Scandinavian production team Maximum Risk, Tim & Bob, and Rockwilder, as well as Atlanta-based Bryan Michael Cox and partner WyldCard, with whom she recorded at least three tracks, among others. Cox, in addition, was entlisted as the album's executive producer at one time or another.
It was not until spring 2008, the singer started to record new songs with Midi Mafia, RedOne, and Toby Gad, and reunited with former mentor Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins following his absence on the Afrodisiac album due to a disagreement on Norwood's decision to work with Timbaland in 2003. Jerkins went on to produce the bulk of Human, and as a result, joined her to executive produce the album, replacing producer Brian Kennedy, whose tracks — except "Fall" and "Locket (Locked in Love)" — were not included on the album. On her decision to revamp the album with Jerkins, Norwood commented: "With Rodney being the person who produced, I, of course, wanted to go from there because of our history and all the music we have made in the past. It felt like the right thing to do. It felt like home for me, because we work so well together and we have a great chemistry," she said. "So, I wanted to see where that chemistry would take us creatively this time round."
While they considered the project complete by September 2008 and Epic Records announced the U.S. release of the album for November 11, a call by Timbaland, who requested Norwood to record additional music with him and protegés J-Roc and James Fauntleroy, caused a month-long delay of Human. His tracks did however also not make the final cut on the album track listing as he was unable to contribute trademark backing vocals to his songs. In addition, Norwood worked with producers Rico Love, Blac Elvis, Rob Knox, The Clutch, and songwriters Chasity Nwagbara, Atozzio "T-Wiz "Townes, Kara DioGuardi, and Greg Curtis on Human, although their songs remain yet unreleased on any format. Further studio collaborations with Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Missy Elliott, Yung Berg, Tonex, and Taio Cruz, by contrast, failed to materialize due to scheduling conflicts.
Read more about this topic: Human (Brandy Norwood Album)
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