Back to Basics | ||||
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Studio album by Christina Aguilera | ||||
Released | August 9, 2006 | |||
Recorded | January 2005 – April 2006 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 78:43 | |||
Label | RCA Records | |||
Producer |
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Christina Aguilera chronology | ||||
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Singles from Back to Basics | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | (69/100) |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ |
The Observer | |
PopMatters | (7/10) |
Robert Christgau | |
Rolling Stone | |
Slant Magazine | |
Sputnikmusic | |
Stylus Magazine | B |
Yahoo! Music | (8/10) |
Back to Basics is the fifth studio album by American singer Christina Aguilera. It was released on August 9, 2006 by RCA Records as a double album. Serving as executive producer, she enlisted a wide range of producers including DJ Premier, Rich Harrison, Rob Lewis, Mark Ronson, and Linda Perry. Recording sessions began in January 2005 and ended in April 2006, taking place at Chalice Recording Studios and Record Plant.
Inspired by Aguilera's 1920s–1940s idols, including Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Etta James, and Ella Fitzgerald, Back to Basics was described by Aguilera herself as a fusion of old-school jazz and soul inspirations with a modernized style. Primarily a pop and R&B record, the first disc juxtaposes rhythm and blues with hip hop and urban elements with most songs employing samples, while the second contains all original tracks with the exception of "Candyman", which samples "Tarzan & Jane Swingin' on a Vine". Lyrically, the album is inspired by Aguilera's previous life events including her marriage with Jordan Bratman in 2005.