Dana Dawson: Black Butterfly | R&B/Soul CD

Product Information

UPC: 724383831326
Catalog Number: 724383831326
Product Type: Music CD
Genre: R&B/Soul/Pop
Format: Audio CD
Release Date: 1996
Publisher: EMI Records Ltd.
Label: EMI

Overview

"Black Butterfly" is the second studio album by American-born, France-based singer Dana Dawson, released in 1996 through EMI Records. Following her successful debut, this sophomore effort showcases Dawson's versatile vocal prowess across a collection of soulful ballads, upbeat R&B numbers, and dance-pop tracks that reflect the mid-90s R&B sound. The album is thoughtfully structured with several interludes—short musical or spoken segments titled "Black Butterfly," "Visions," "Love Me," "Proverbs," "Home," and "Angel"—creating a cohesive listening experience that guides the listener through Dawson's artistic vision. Standout tracks include the rhythmic "Show Me," the emotionally charged "Nothing In This World," and the soulful "Sad Sad Songs." With production that balances contemporary R&B elements with classic soul influences, "Black Butterfly" represents Dana Dawson at a creative peak, delivering sophisticated vocal performances that showcase her range and emotional depth across a variety of musical styles.

Product Features

• Format: Standard audio CD
• Content: 21 tracks including multiple musical interludes
• Musical Style: R&B, Soul and Pop with mid-90s production elements
• Album Structure: Conceptual flow with themed interludes throughout
• Vocal Performance: Showcases Dana Dawson's versatile vocal range and stylistic abilities
• Production: Contemporary mid-90s R&B production with soul influences
• Packaging: Standard jewel case with complete track listing and credits

Interesting Facts

Dana Dawson's Unique International Career Path

Dana Dawson represents an interesting example of an American artist who found greater success in Europe than in her homeland. Born in New York City, Dawson began her career as a child actress, appearing in Broadway productions including "Dreamgirls." However, it was in Europe, particularly France and the UK, where her music career flourished. "Black Butterfly" exemplifies this transnational career path, being produced primarily for European audiences rather than the American R&B market. This international perspective influenced her sound, which blended American R&B traditions with European dance-pop sensibilities, creating a distinctive style that set her apart from her contemporaries. Her ability to navigate different musical markets made her a unique figure in 1990s R&B, appealing to audiences across continents.

The Conceptual Use of Interludes

"Black Butterfly" stands out from many contemporaneous R&B albums through its thoughtful use of interludes as a narrative and thematic device. The album contains six different interludes—"Black Butterfly," "Visions," "Love Me," "Proverbs," "Home," and "Angel"—each serving to create transitions between songs while contributing to the album's overall conceptual flow. This approach was becoming increasingly popular in mid-90s R&B, with artists like Janet Jackson and Jodeci using interludes to create more cohesive album experiences, but Dawson's implementation was particularly extensive. These brief musical or spoken segments allow the listener moments of reflection between full songs and demonstrate an artistic ambition beyond simply compiling individual tracks, showing Dawson's intent to create a complete album experience rather than just a collection of potential singles.

The Symbolic Significance of the Title

The album's title "Black Butterfly" carries significant symbolic weight in African American cultural traditions. The butterfly generally represents transformation, hope, and spiritual rebirth—themes that resonate throughout the album's lyrical content. In African American folklore and artistic expression, the black butterfly specifically has sometimes been associated with the soul's journey and resilience through adversity. By adopting this symbolism as her album title and opening interlude, Dawson connects her work to broader cultural traditions while suggesting themes of personal transformation and artistic evolution. This metaphorical approach demonstrates Dawson's artistic depth and her desire to create music that resonated on multiple levels beyond commercial appeal.

Track Listing

1. Interlude "Black Butterfly"
2. Is Family
3. Got To Give Me Love
4. Show Me
5. Dignified
6. Interlude "Visions"
7. You Are My Baby
8. So Good
9. Together
10. How I Wanna Be Loved
11. All Of These Things
12. Nothing In This World
13. Interlude "Love Me"
14. Baby Do Right By Me
15. Stop Yourself
16. Intentions
17. Touch Me
18. Interlude "Proverbs"
19. Sad Sad Songs
20. Interlude "Home"
21. Salvation
22. Interlude "Angel"

Publishers

© 1996 EMI Records Ltd.
℗ tracks 2+3 1995 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by EMI Records Ltd.

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