Tamia - Passion Like Fire

Passion Like Fire is the seventh studio album by Canadian singer Tamia, released on September 7, 2018 on the eOne Music label. Released two years after her previous record, this album sees Tamia collaborate with a reduced team, including long-time producers Shep Crawford and Salaam Remi, as well as Lil' Ronnie as executive producer. Far from the commercial strategy sometimes pursued by major labels, this record embodies an intentional return to the roots. The album contains twelve tracks. The Billboard 200 placed the album at 145th position upon its release, but it reached 17th place on the Top R&B Albums chart, proving that Tamia's target audience remains loyal to her artistic approach. This is a work that celebrates twenty years of career.

An explicit title celebrating Tamia's longevity and passionate love

Leave It Smokin': an explicit title drawing on history to celebrate Tamia's longevity

At the heart of this exploration, the track "Leave It Smokin'" occupies a central place. The album's title itself borrows the lyrics from the song: "I need passion like fire, leave it smokin'". This choice directly alludes to Tamia's longevity in the music business, which after twenty years still retains that passion. It is an explicit title that anchors the theme of passionate love at the heart of the album. The single preceded the release of the album, followed shortly thereafter by "Today I Do", forming a unique pairing of releases for this album.

Independent production under eOne Music with a reduced team led by Lil' Ronnie and Shep Crawford

The sound design is based on a group of producers whose roles have been explicitly documented. Lil' Ronnie, who contributes to half of the album's tracks, holds the title of executive producer. He is joined by iconic figures like Shep Crawford and Salaam Remi, both considered long-time contributors. Other names such as Lundon Knighten, Jonas Myrin, Reyes Copello, and Ryan Hawken have also participated in creating this universe. This reduced team allowed Tamia to remain true to her artistic convictions, rebelling against trends rather than following the current that favors experimentation or the influence of hip-hop.

A mixed result: celebrating twenty years of career amid a discreet debut on the Billboard 200 (145th place)

The complete tracklist paints an intimate picture, closing out a decade of independence before the upcoming compilation project Into You in 2019. The album consists of twelve specific tracks, starting with "If I Had To Choose" and ending with the ultimate dedication "You Are Loved". Beyond the promo singles "Leave It Smokin'" and "Today I Do", the record includes gems like "It's Yours", "Lost in You", and "Tell Me How", illustrating the diversity of emotions explored. The presence of producers such as Jonas Myrin, Lundon Knighten, Reyes Copello, and Ryan Hawken completes the creative circle initiated by veterans Shep Crawford and Salaam Remi. Ultimately, Passion Like Fire serves as a love letter to Tamia's fans, revisiting the vocal registers that made her famous. Six-time Grammy Award nominee Tamia is best known for her Top 40 hits in the R&B charts, ranging from "Spend My Life with You" with Eric Benét in 1998 to "Stranger in My House" or "So into You". Although the commercial launch was understated in the United States, the album confirms that Tamia remains a stable figure in R&B-soul. Her work extends a two-decade career where she has managed to establish her unique style, never betraying her essence even after years of changes in the genre's conventions.

Technical details

- Release date: September 7, 2018 - Label: eOne - Tracks: 12 - Opening/closing track: If I Had To Choose / You Are Loved - Previous album: Love Life (2015)