I Believe (Sounds of Blackness song)

"I Believe" is a song by American vocal and instrumental ensemble Sounds of Blackness. It was produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and was written by the duo along with: Marvin R. Pierce, Ralph Middlebrooks, Eugene Marshall Jones, Clarence Satchell, Gregory Allen Webster and Walter Junie Morrison.^{[citation needed]} The song was released in 1994 by Perspective and A&M Records as the first single from the group's third album, Africa to America; The Journey of the Drum (1994). It was the group's sixth release to make the US Billboard soul chart, peaking at number 15, and their only Billboard Hot 100 release, where it went to number 99.^[3] "I Believe" was also the group's second number on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it spent one week at the top.^[4] It samples Ohio Players 1971 recording "Pain".^[5]

"I Believe"
Single by Sounds of Blackness
from the album Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum
Released	1994
Genre	Funk[1] gospel[2] hip hop soul house (remix)[1]
Length	3:49
Label	Perspective A&M
Songwriter(s)	Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Marvin R. Pierce Ralph Middlebrooks Eugene Marshall Jones Clarence Satchell Gregory Allen Webster Walter Junie Morrison
Producer(s)	Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis
Sounds of Blackness singles chronology
"The Pressure Part 1" (1991) "I Believe" (1994) "Gloryland" (1994)

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "First single from the glorious Africa to America album is awash in endless layers of uplifting harmonies, the perfect backdrop for lead singer Ann Nesby to work her incomparable magic. Shuffling funk track has a strong spiritual slant, but is not so heavy-handed that mainstream potential is dimmed. For a nifty twist, go to the David Morales remix, a roof-raising house version that will leave you positively breathless."^[1]

Andy Beevers from Music Week gave the song a score of four out of five, saying, "The Minneapolis-based gospel choir make a welcome return with another uplifting spiritual anthem. David Morales is responsible for the main club mixes which manage to match the huge power of the vocals. 'I Believe' is even more immediate than their earlier offerings and is bound to make a rapid ascent towards the top of the Club Chart. A crossover hit."^[6] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described it as "soaring soulful gospel" in his weekly dance column.^[2]

Track listing

• CD single, UK (1994)

1. "I Believe" (Radio Mix) — 3:49
2. "I Believe" (Classic Gospel Mix) — 9:52
3. "I Believe" (Deliverance Dub) — 12:03
4. "I Believe" (Soul Believer Mix) — 5:00
5. "I Believe" (Believe In Da Quiet Storm) — 5:51

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "I Believe" by Sounds of Blackness Chart (1994) Peak position UK Singles (OCC) 17 UK Dance (Music Week)[7] 1 UK Club Chart (Music Week)[8] 2 US Billboard Hot 100 99 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[9] 19 US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard) 1 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 15

Year-end charts 1994 year-end chart performance for "I Believe" by Sounds of Blackness Chart (1994) Peak position UK Club Chart (Music Week)[10] 18 US Hot Dance Music Club/Play (Billboard)[11] 15

See also

• List of number-one dance singles of 1994 (U.S.)