Smoove Jones

Smoove Jones is Mya's seventh studio album that was released on February 14, 2016 by her label inprint, Planet 9 through iTunes and Apple Music.

The project commemorates the release of Mya's debut single "It's All About Me" and her 18th anniversary in the entertainment industry.

Development
Almost nearly five years passed between Mya's last full-length studio album to "Smoove Jones." Like she did before on her previous project "K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple)", Mya served as executive producer for "Smoove Jones" which entailed her scouting for producers, songwriters, arranging the album's track listing, and keeping track of the accounting.

With her sixth studio album "K.I.S.S.", Mya catered to Japan's J-pop sound and popular culture.

Originally, Mya's seventh studio project was to feature her EP's Love Elevation Suite and Sweet XVI along with bonus tracks manufactured as a CD. However, nothing ever materialized and she scrapped that idea in favor of a new project.

Initially, when Mya started recording material she didn't have a title for the project. She was just in a place of wanting to write from her soul. In an interview with Billboard on the project's creation, she clarified, "I didn't necessarily say, "OK, it's time to create a project called Smoove Jones."

During the interview, Mya went further into details and remarked, "I stay in the studio on the regular. I literally live in the studio."

The project came to Mya as a concept and while she been giving grown and sexy EPs for the last four EPs, she admits the title was birthed through a picture from a photo shoot she did in 2015 and the vibe of it. The project's overall theme was inspired by the 1970s.

Speaking with SOHH on its origin, Mya explained:

"I love the '70s, I love black power, black love as well as temptress vibes and the coolness of how people relayed messages of love. The Isley Brothers were triple OGs to me and you see their influence in R. Kelly. Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, there was a lot happening socially but as far as love, that was a time of real love to me and because my fans had requested real R&B, real songs, and positivity because when they turn on the radio they're not getting that these days, here you go. I'm only giving what my fans have requested of me and that's kind of how Smoove Jones was birthed and delivered from me."

Approaching "Smoove Jones," Mya incorporated R&B/soul/hip-hop with old school elements from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s because she knew how she wanted it to feel. She also wanted it to feel grown and sexy for her fans that have grown up with her for the last 18 years [who] have kids, gotten married and all that.

Chatting with KMW exclusive, Mya said for this album most of the music was already created. She said she chose tracks based on the "R&B/Soul" genre feeling accordingly, because that's what her fans had requested from her.

Essentially, Mya just pulled a collection of songs out of her archive that she thought would vibe well together since everything was recorded within one to three years ago.

To avoid early leakage of the project or any of her music, Mya drafted and services a pre- and post-recording agreement to hold the producers, writers, artists & engineers liable for leakage, sharing, placement & playing of her music.

Composition
The album is a departure from Mya's last studio project "K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple)" which leaned more toward the dance and pop genre. With this project, she blended the R&B/soul/hip-hop genre with elements of 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with a modern twist. Theme wise, "Smoove Jones" focused on empowerment, sensuality, and celebratory records with substance.

Naturally, Mya drew inspiration from within herself, her personal and professional life and during her interview with "The Frisky," she dispensed where the inspiration stemmed from for particular songs.

On songs like "Hold On", Mya called on real life experiences; such as a student that wants to drop out of school to sell dope instead, someone dealing with bullying that wants to take their own life, strippers she has talked to that almost didn't make it out of an abusive relationship because they were afraid to leave (even herself) and those trying times she faced and could've chosen the other side.

Songs like "Phya", Mya reimagined being in her living room with her parents playing Isaac Hayes and Earth, Wind & Fire vinyl records and dancing in her mom's high heels.

On the track "One Man Woman", Mya traveled back in time and reminisced being in her bedroom in high school listening to Mint Condition on her hot pink boom box.

On the outro, she went to her fans and all of their messages regarding their favorite slow jams and mashed them up together as a grown and sexy gumbo.

Album Title
Speaking on its title with KMW exclusive, Mýa said, "I chose Smoove Jones as the title because it best described the laid back, smooth essence and approach to this project."

Mya's friend and fellow artist Cliff Lewis also gave her the nickname "Smoove Jones" in the studio.

In an interview with "The Frisky", Mya elaborated more on the title and commented, "I was given the nickname "Smoove Jones" based on my laid back, ol' school vibe and smooth personality." Going further into detail, she stated, "since I been giving a lot of grown and sexy music lately, with a '70s vibes, I thought it'd be the perfect name for a project."

Mya depicts Smoove Jones, as a female version of Billy Dee Williams meets Supafly meets Pam Grier.

The EP's artwork is from a collection of images of the times Mya and her photographers got together and "played".

Mýa explained, "I play a lot and I have friends who are photographers in different states and if I see a fly object after a show, "I say, "Hey, I'll sit in this chair. Take a picture!"

In exchange, those images sometimes become artwork for flyers, singles and/or album covers. The project's calendar was shot by Mya's friend and a new photographer she worked with in Arizona.

Speaking on behalf of her 2016-2017 zodiac calendar, Mya commented, "''I've known that I've wanted to put a calendar out with an album, but those images are from two years ago and maybe two of them are recent. They've been sitting like a lot of my music and I'm always creating." In between time, it's just something to put out, before her masterpiece whether it's calendars, DVDs, or EPs, etc''."

Release
The release date for a new project was first reported in January 2015.

In a correspondence with a member of Mýa's team, Juicy's THE SCOOP disclose her next project was intended to be a joint venture with a major label so she can acquire support of radio. During that time, there was no release date set as of yet, but 2015 was the projection.

However, in December 2015, Mya announced on her Instagram account that her eighth independent project "Smoove Jones" was available for pre-order exclusively on her official website set to be release (on 2/14/2016) Valentine's Day worldwide. Through her online music shop, Mya offer fans the option of purchasing her new project in; standard, autographed or personalized edition.

To further promote her new project, Mya offer fans the option of purchasing a 17-month zodiac calendar (2016-2017) as an early Christmas gift as well with or without the purchase of the new project.

Ticket merchant AXS announced Mya would embark on a nationwide tour in support of her new album Smoove Jones beginning March 12th.

On March 12, 2016, Mýa held an album release party at Hard Rock Cafe in Dallas,Texas. At the event, she performed new music from Smoove Jones as well as her classic hits. Additionally, fans were given the opportunity to meet Mýa and purchase Smoove Jones and/or the 17 month zodiac calendar. Tickets were sold through Eventbrite.

Tracklisting
Bonus Track
 * 1) Smoove Jones Radio (Intro) [0:59]
 * 2) Welcome to My World [4:10]
 * 3) Hold On (featuring Phil Adé) [3:22]
 * 4) Elevator (featuring Smoove Jones [2:57]
 * 5) Phya [3:18]
 * 6) Spoil Me [2:13]
 * 7) Team You [4:12]
 * 8) Coolin' [4:01]
 * 9) One Man Woman (Ol' Skoo Joint) [4:45]
 * 10) Circle of Life (Ol' Skoo Joint [4:12]
 * 11) Smoove Jones Afta Glow Show (Outro) [6:42]
 * 1) One Man Woman (Unplugged) (4:45)

Singles
On October 10, 2015, Mya released the first single from the project "Welcome To My World" on all digital formats.

The second single, "Team You" was released on December 8, 2015.

Chart Performance
"Smoove Jones" debuted at #30 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, #15 on the R&B Albums chart and #17 on the Independent Album chart on March 5, 2016.

It sold 2,126 in its first week.

Critical Reception
The album has received "generally favorable" reviews.

Ryan B. Patrick of Exclaim! gave the album a 6 out of 10, expressing: "The Washington, D.C. native is too well known for Smoove Jones to be termed a comeback album, yet not well known enough for this album to make a lasting impact."

Observing, "At 12 tracks, the independent release is solidly produced, and tracks like "Welcome to My World," "Team You" and "Elevator" recall late-1990s/early-2000s (decade) R&B, but numbers like "Hold On" and "Phya" feel regressive and carry little weight."

United Kingdom magazine Gay Times gave Smoove Jones a four out of five, commenting: "At 45 minutes long, Smoove Jones is just the right length to underline its concept without over stuffing it with endless interludes or forgettable ballads."

Similarly, online website HipHopDX expressed the exact sentiments and wrote, "After listening to Smoove Jones, it's easily understood that Mýa has been in the R&B game a long time. Her near 20-year career has given her enough life experience to put together an album that sounds as cohesive as it does varied. Although this album may not see any action on the charts, it does prove that Mýa's talent level is among the elite."

Staff writer Jacqueline Borwick of The Ithacan gave the album 3 out of 5 stars and concluded, "''Smoove Jones" is an expression of the singer's passion for music through her lyrics. It is evident that this project was a labor of love for Mýa as it was independently made and self-funded, which demonstrates her profound effort and commitment to this craft''."