It's Real is the third full-length recording by American R&B singer-songwriter James Ingram. It was released in May 1989 on Qwest/Warner Bros. Records, and features the smash hit single "I Don't Have the Heart", which peaked at number 1 for 1 week. It also features a remake of the classic song "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", re-written with different lyrics and entitled "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man".
Contents
Critical reception
Robin Katz, reviewer of British music newspaper Music Week, left mainly favourable overlook on this album, saying that "Ingram presents his usual standard of contemporary sophisticated soul." He concluded: "Title track could be a smash and will appeal to Bobby Brown boppers while final cut is weepie in Whitney style."
Track listing
Side one – It's Real Hard
"It's Real" (Kemp Frank, Gene Griffin, Barry Hankerson, Ingram) - 5:13
"I Wanna Come Back" (Marc Gordon, Gerald Levert) - 4:51
"Call On Me" (Ingram, Bernard Taylor) - 4:03
"So Fine" (Ingram, Bernard Taylor) - 4:04
"Love Come Down" (Gene Griffin, Ingram) - 5:40
"Baby Be Mine" (Bell, Ingram) - 5:00 (Bonus Track (Side one, Track 6) on CD version)
Side two – It's Real Soft
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Man" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler) - 5:04
"Love One Day at a Time" (Ingram, Monty Seward) - 4:31
"I Don't Have the Heart" (Jud Friedman, Allan Rich) - 4:14
"Someday We'll All Be Free" (Donny Hathaway, Edward Howard) - 4:10
"When Was the Last Time the Music Made You Cry" (Ingram, Dennis Matkosky, Kathy Wakefield) - 4:57
Personnel
Credits adapted from CD release.
James Ingram – lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 4, 5, 8), keyboards (3, 4, 10), drums (3, 4)
Winston Johnson – keyboard programming (all tracks), Synclavier programming (all tracks)
Dwayne Russell – keyboard programming (all tracks)
Brian Simpson – keyboard programming (all tracks)
Frank Stangerup – keyboard programming (all tracks)
Teddy Riley – all instruments (1, 5), backing vocals (1, 5)
Jim Salamone – keyboard sequencing (2)
Bernard Taylor – keyboards (3, 4), drums (3, 4)
Aaron Zigman – keyboards (3, 4, 6)
Thom Bell – keyboards (6), bass (6, 9)
Vernon Fails – keyboards (7)
Robbie Buchanan – synthesizer programming (7)
Monty Seward – keyboards (8), synthesizers (8), backing vocals (8)
Jud Friedman – keyboards (9), programming (9)
Dennis Matkosky – keyboards (11), synthesizers (11)
Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars (3, 8, 9)
Abraham Laboriel – bass (7, 11)
Production
James Ingram – executive producer, producer (3, 4, 6, 8–11)
Thom Bell – executive producer, producer (6, 9–11)
Gene Griffin – producer (1, 5)
Gerald Levert – producer (2)
Marc Gordon – producer (2)
Bernard Taylor – producer (3)
Michael J. Powell – producer (7)
Monty Seward – producer (8)
Dennis Matkosky – producer (11)
Barry Hankerson – associate producer, management
Benny Medina – associate producer
JoAnn Tominaga – production coordinator (7), music contractor
Yolandra Fletcher King – production coordinator (8–11), music contractor, personal assistant
Sephra Winters – music contractor
Kim Champange – art direction
Jeri McManus – art direction
Andy Engel – design
Aaron Rapoport – photography
Cecille Parker – stylist
Elbert Oliver – hair, make-up
The Midwest Group – management company