Eric Benét
Eric Benét is an American R&B singer-songwriter born on October 15, 1966, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, known for his smooth vocals and Grammy-nominated hits. The youngest of five siblings, he began his music career in groups like Gerard and later Benét with his sister Lisa and cousin George Nash Jr., releasing a self-titled album in 1992. His solo debut True to Myself arrived in 1996, followed by breakthroughs like A Day in the Life (1999) featuring the No. 1 R&B hit "Spend My Life with You" with Tamia.
Benét attended Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School and briefly college before dropping out to pursue music, starting with "shit gigs" alongside family. Tragedy marked his early years when partner Tami Stauff died in a car accident, leaving him a single father; this fueled his resilience amid career setbacks.
Key albums include Hurricane (2005), the two-time Grammy-nominated Love & Life (2008), Lost in Time (2010), The One (2012), and his self-titled 2016 release under Jordan House Records. Hits like "Sometimes I Cry" and "You're the Only One" earned Grammy nods for Best R&B Performance and Album.
Benét acted in Glitter (2001), Trinity Goodheart (2011), and TV like For Your Love, earning a Black Reel Award for "Love Don't Love Me" from The Brothers. Nominations span Grammys, NAACP Image Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards.<div hidden>eric benet</div>
A Day In The Life
Bass, Guitar – Chalmers Alford
Engineer – Alex Sok
Programmed By – Ali Shaheed Muhammad 5:15
2 Georgy Porgy
Guitar [Solo] – Kenya B.
Producer – Somethin' For The People
Programmed By [Keyboards], Drum Programming, Recorded By – Sauce
Vocals [Featuring] – Faith Evans 4:40
3 Spend My Life With You
Engineer – Andrew Haller
Engineer, Instruments [All] – Demonte Posey
Vocals [Featuring] – Tamia 4:35
4 Something Real
Backing Vocals – Fuzzy, Shari Watson, Tracy Nelson
Guitar, Producer, Programmed By [Keyboards], Drum Programming – Kenya B.
Keyboards – Leslie Butler
Producer – Somethin' For The People
Programmed By [Keyboard], Drum Programming, Recorded By – Sauce 4:33
5 Loving Your Best Friend
Producer – Jerry Duplessis, Wyclef Jean
Recorded By – Chris Theis 4:20
6 When You Think Of Me
Drum Programming – Brian Frazier Moore
Engineer – Carlos "Storm" Martinez, Jon Smeltz
Engineer [Assistant] – Pascal Volberg
Guitar – Isaac Phillips
Keyboards, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – James Poyser
Recorded By – Andy Salas
Recorded By [Assistant] – Dav Dar
Vibraphone, Vocals [Featuring] – Roy Ayers 5:43
7 Lamentation
Cello – Heidi Vincent
Engineer – David Kennedy
Guitar – Eddie "Spanky" Alford
Instruments [All Other] – Ali Shaheed Muhammad 4:06
8 Dust In The Wind
Backing Vocals, Bass, Programmed By [Keyboards], Drum Programming – Brian Alexander Morgan
Producer – Brian Alexander Morgan
Recorded By – Brian Alexander Morgan, Larry Funk, Nat Foster
Recorded By [Assistant] – Charity Lomax, Delee Har, Steve MacAuley 4:30
9 Why You Follow Me
Bass, Guitar – Eddie "Spanky" Alford
Engineer – David Kennedy
Instruments [All Other] – Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Percussion – Marlon Simon
Piano – Edsel Gomez, James Poyser 5:24
10 Come As You Are
Arranged By [Strings] – Larry Gold
Engineer – Eric Benét
Engineer, Guitar [Nylon] – George Nash Jr.
Synthesizer [Bass Synth], Drums, Engineer, Piano [Acoustic] – Demonté Posey 5:11
11 Love The Hurt Away
Drums, Engineer, Organ [B-3], Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Demonté Posey
Engineer – Eric Benét
Engineer, Guitar [Acoustic, Funk Box] – George Nash Jr. 5:24
12 Ghetto Girl
Engineer – Eric Benét, George Nash Jr.
Engineer, Keyboards [Rhodes], Organ [B-3] – Demonté Posey
Guitar [And Solo] – Jazzy G
Keyboards – Leslie Butler
Producer, Drum Programming – Sauce
Vocals [Featuring] – Me'Shell NdegéOcello 4:11
13 Love Of My Own
Arranged By [Strings] – Larry Gold
Bass – Isaac Phillips
Drums – Brian Frazier Moore
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer – James Poyser
Engineer – Carlos "Storm" Martinez, Jon Smeltz
Engineer [Assistant] – Pascal Volberg
Twelve-String Guitar, Electric Guitar – Jef Lee Johnson 5:40
Bonus Track:
14 Spend My Life With You Remix featuring Terry Dexter 4:33
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9 47072-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1999
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Neo Soul, Contemporary R&B
Eric Benét's A Day in the Life is a highly praised smooth R&B/soul album, celebrated for its mature, "grown 'n' sexy" vibe, sophisticated arrangements, and heartfelt lyrics, blending classic '70s soul with contemporary grooves, featuring standout duets like "Spend mMy Life With You" with Tamia and "Georgy Porgy" with Faith Evans, making it a fan favorite and critically acclaimed for its timeless quality and strong musicianship.
Sophisticated, smooth R&B and Soul, with deep funk and jazz influences, reminiscent of 70s soul, with clean, simple arrangements that keep the focus on Benét's voice and the emotional depth, avoiding trendy gimmicks.
Praised for Benét's warm, captivating voice and clever, intimate songwriting that conveys strong feelings.
Considered a classic that holds up well over time, showcasing Benét as a premier, albeit often underrated, R&B vocalist.
Fans and critics alike adore the album for its musical quality, emotional resonance, and timeless "old-fashioned soul" feel, making it a staple for romantic evenings and a testament to Benét's enduring talent. It's often described as music for "fine wine and soft lighting".
Eric Benet