Level II (Blackstreet album)
2003 studio album by Blackstreet / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Level II is the fourth album by R&B group, Blackstreet, released on March 11, 2003. It was their first and only album released on record label DreamWorks Records. The album's title was a reference to its members' best known line-up during their most successful album, 1996's Another Level.[12] Two of the members returned for the recording of Level II. Mark Middleton returned to the fold after he was replaced by Terrell Phillips on 1999's Finally to launch a gospel music career. Dave Hollister returned on the song "Bygones", as he also left the group to start his solo career.
Level II | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 11, 2003 ![]() | |||
Recorded | 2002–2003 Future Recording Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.) | |||
Genre | R&B,[1] new jack swing,[2] electro-funk[3] | |||
Length | 62:26 | |||
Label | DreamWorks | |||
Producer | Teddy Riley (executive), Leroy Burgess, Nate "Danjahandz" Hills, Andreao "Fanatic" Heard | |||
Blackstreet chronology | ||||
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Singles from Level II | ||||
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Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | (59/100)[4] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | (favorable)[5] |
Blender | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Chicago Tribune | (mixed)[6] |
Entertainment Weekly | C+[2] |
Mojo | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
People | (mixed)[7] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Situation | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Slant Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Uncut | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Vibe | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Yahoo! Music UK | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Founding members Teddy Riley and Chauncey Hannibal patched things up to record Level II. A few years earlier, they were involved in a very public dispute that signaled the group's demise at the end of 1999.[13][14][15][16] After Blackstreet's eventual dissolution, Riley entered into a short-lived reunion with his previous group Guy.[17] Hannibal attempted a solo career, while Eric Williams returned to writing and producing for other artists such as Dave Hollister, Donell Jones and Jaheim.
Riley also attempted a solo career as well, with a deal with Virgin Records in 2000.[18][14] His solo recording Black Rock was shelved despite promotional copies of the album being issued.[19] Another project that he worked on was the Capitol Records singer Michael "Mike E." Etheridge, a former member of The Neptunes.[20] His debut album Master Plan- which was executive produced by Riley- was also shelved, and as a result, several songs on the unreleased albums made their way on Level II. "Look In The Water" was originally recorded by Mike E. for his album,[21] but Riley re-recorded the song with Blackstreet's vocals. Several songs from Riley's unreleased album Black Rock ("Friend Of Mine", "You Made Me", "Deep" and "Bygones") were also re-recorded for this album.[22] Level II was released with little to no promotion, as DreamWorks Records was on the verge of being absorbed by their previous label Interscope Records.[23][24]
The artwork for the edited version has the logo colored blue as opposed to the red color on the uncut version.