Total - Total

Total: A funky and hip-hop-infused sound, created by Sean "Puffy" Combs upon its release in 1996.

The funky introduction: Sean 'Puffy' Combs sets the stage with "Intro".

The album begins with a track titled "Intro", which serves as a prelude to a project where the production plays a more significant role than just the rhythm. This first track establishes the mood of an album that aims to blend the codes of R&B and hip-hop in a precise aesthetic. The debut album by the female trio Total, released in the United States on February 13, 1996, is built around a sound architecture created by Sean "Puffy" Combs. The Bad Boy Records label, partnered with Arista Records for this release, found a balance between an urban sound and a sensuality that challenged the expectations of the time. The total running time of 56 minutes and 55 seconds envelops these tracks in a consistent style, although some observers consider this length too long to maintain a constant quality throughout the listening experience.

Hip-hop as an embellishment: The rhymes of The Notorious B.I.G. on "Can't You See".

At the heart of this album is "Can't You See," which has been recognized as the best track by some critics. This is where the influence of hip-hop becomes most apparent, thanks to a collaboration with The Notorious B.I.G. His rhymes, described as rap assists, strengthen the credibility of the track while adding an essential dimension to the group's R&B sound. This collaboration is described as "the icing on the cake," a crucial finishing touch that complements the overall sound. The involvement of Raphael Saadig, also credited as a producer, completes a production setup where the quality of the irresistible loops takes precedence over all other elements. It is this combination of deep funk production and rap assistance that allows "Can't You See" to become a standout track in the trio's catalog.

Injecting boldness: Da Brat adds "sass" to "No One Else"

The album continues its momentum with tracks that maintain the narrative tension, particularly on "No One Else". On this track, Da Brat is one of the confirmed guests, bringing a powerful energy and sass (boldness). This presence is not insignificant: it redefines the track, infusing it with a vitality that can compete with major groups of the time. It strengthens the credibility of the track while offering an interesting vocal contrast to the main singers' voices. The album also includes a remix version of this track, titled "No One Else - Puff Daddy Remix", which appears at the end of the tracklist and seals the identity of the album with an unforgettable groove. This inclusion of a remix demonstrates how the project builds upon its initial successes, offering a dynamic reinterpretation of the original track.

The album's cohesion relies on the production's ability to maintain a consistent, funky groove throughout the listening experience. Tracks like "Kissin' You," "Do You Think About Us?," and "When Boy Meets Girl" exemplify the album's quality by providing a cohesive and funky thread. These tracks, identified as hit singles, demonstrate that the album is not just a collection of successes, but a carefully crafted work where each track contributes to a unified vision. Sean "Puffy" Combs' production ensures that these grooves retain their power even when the vocal dynamics are more restrained. This sonic consistency allows the album to stand out in the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it reaches the top five. The structure of these tracks relies on irresistible loops that invite dancing while maintaining a certain melodic sophistication characteristic of Contemporary R&B.

The challenge of volume: a 56-minute duration that tests the vocal warmth.

Despite the quality of these productions, the album presents some challenges related to its internal structure. The total duration of 56 minutes and 55 seconds is considered too long by some, making it difficult to maintain the quality from beginning to end. This time constraint highlights a particular characteristic of the three singers' voices, which are described as "standard" on certain tracks. They do not generate enough vocal warmth throughout the album, which creates inconsistencies in intensity between the tracks. The album ends with a remixed version titled "No One Else - Puff Daddy Remix," which serves as a memorable conclusion to the entire project. This track closes the tracklist, offering a final echo of the original piece while also providing a distinct rhythmic variation. Sean "Puffy" Combs, who produced the majority of the album, ensures that this ending meets the quality standards established earlier in the album. The inclusion of this remix confirms the importance of Bad Boy Records' role in the overall design of the project, from beginning to end. The closing of this unforgettable groove seals a unique sound that blends funk, soul, and hip-hop with rare ease for a debut album.

A key milestone review

According to Entertainment Weekly's critical perspective, the album is presented as an existential threat to this dominant group: the phrase "gives TLC good cause to be frightened" illustrates the ambition of the project. It is precisely this aggressive and competitive stance that allows the Total trio to define themselves not as a mere imitation, but as "hip-hop/soul vixens" capable of competing with the genre's giants. The combination of funk production with irresistible loops and these rap interventions is therefore not just aesthetic, but strategic: it anchors the album in the urban landscape of Bad Boy Records while asserting a vocal identity that, despite comparisons with Faith Evans or T-Boz of TLC, seeks to establish its own uniqueness through groove rather than purely vocal power. This sonic architecture, primarily driven by Sean "Puffy" Combs and complemented by Raphael Saadig, relies on a consistent stylistic approach that defies the expectation of variety in favor of a cohesive funk sound. The inclusion of a remixed version of the closing track, "No One Else - Puff Daddy Remix," confirms that the album is conceived as a living entity, where each track, from the introduction to the end, contributes to establishing a high standard of quality. In total, the Total studio album is the first album by the eponymous female R&B trio, released in the United States on February 13, 1996, by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. It reached number 23 on the Billboard 200 and ranked in the top five of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The guest artists featured on the album include Da Brat and The Notorious B.I.G. The song "Can't You See" is identified as the best track on the album on some review platforms. The album is classified as Contemporary R&B. Critics mention that the voices of the three singers are described as "standard". The album is available on vinyl (LP) format, released in 1996. The song "No One Else" includes a contribution from Da Brat. The song "Can't You See" includes a contribution from The Notorious B.I.G.. A remixed version entitled "No One Else - Puff Daddy Remix" is included in the tracklist. Next studio album: Kima, Keisha & Pam (1998).

Technical specifications

- Release date : February 13, 1996 - Label : Bad Boy Records - Tracks : 15 (56 minutes 55 seconds) - Opening / closing : Intro / No One Else - Puff Daddy Remix - Guest appearances : Da Brat, The Notorious B.I.G.