Ranking the Best Tevin Campbell Albums

Tevin Campbell just marked 30 years since his incredible debut album, and I truly don’t think younger fans understand how massive his buzz was in his heyday.

There’s a reason why I’ve compared it to a young Michael Jackson.

NO I’m not saying Tevin’s talent matched MJ’s. There’s not a human walking the planet who measure up to that. But in terms of his potential and trajectory – the infinitely talented teenager with scores of adoring fans, Quincy Jones by his side and a diverse vocal skillset – he certainly seemed like like R&B’s next big thing, the young guy who’d reshape the 90s like Michael did a decade before.

While that success wouldn’t be long-term (for various reasons), for a very brief time Tevin was OUR GUY.

Time to prove why.

Let’s look back at Tevin’s brief but impactful career, ranking his LPs from bottom to top. As usual, we’re just focusing on studio albums and not his many compilation sets.

And no, we’re also not doing the Goofy Movie soundtrack, even though Powerline was pretty great.

Tevin deserves so much more than he gets. Today we’re giving him that love.

4. Back to the World (1996)

Soul In Stereo rating: 3 stars out of 5

Edd said: After a career-defining two album run, Tevin emerged from a brief hiatus with his fancy new tarantula braids for Back to the World – and you certainly can’t say he didn’t give it his all. That title track was ALL OVER MY RADIO back in 96. Though his vocals were still strong and the move to a more mature sound was necessary, a lot of the content didn’t seem like a good fit, even with vets like Chucky Thompson and Puffy in his corner. There’s also a lack of energy throughout the set, making several of the performances flat and unmemorable. Poor Tevin never really found his mainstream footing again after this one.

Forgotten favorites: “Tell Me Where,” “We Can Work It Out,” “Could You Learn to Love”

3. Tevin Campbell (1999)

Soul In Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Tevin quietly dropped his final album to date in 1999, which was a vastly different musical landscape from the days of his 1991 debut. Tevin’s self-titled effort lacked the heavy hip-hop influence and grandiose histrionics that defined late 90s R&B, but his more mellow approach has aged quite gracefully. This album succeeds everywhere its predecessor fell short, adapting mature themes and a more measured delivery with much greater success. I know many fans (myself included) had checked out on Tevin by 99, but definitely revisit this one. If it dropped in 2021 it would be an easy album of the year contender.

Forgotten favorites: “Another Way,” “For Your Love,” “Dandelion”

2. I’m Ready (1993)

Soul In Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: How do you follow up on an industry shaking debut? If you ask Tevin, the answer is “go even harder.” I’m Ready is arguably his most defining release, loaded with some of the best singles of its era, accentuated by tracks like “Uncle Sam” and “Paris1798430” that sprinkled a bit of social commentary into the proceedings. Also, um, Prince had 16-year-old Tevin singing about some freaky stuff, huh? No wonder we’re all degenerates now. Tight production and expert sequencing make I’m Ready his most sonically consistent release, and thought it might be the people’s champ, there’s one album that beats it…

Forgotten favorites: “What Do I Say,” “Infant Child,” “Don’t Say Goodbye Girl”

1. T.E.V.I.N. (1991)

Soul In Stereo rating: 5 stars out of 5

Edd said: If the goal of your debut album is to set the stage for your entire career, Tevin Campbell should have been the biggest male solo star of the 90s. And, well, back in 1991, we were sure that was the case. Tevin’s solo debut is an intoxicating blend of sultry slow jams and infectious upbeat cuts with some of the best vocals you’ll ever hear. Reminder: This guy was FOURTEEN YEARS OLD at the time. Top-tier writers and producers like Quincy Jones, Prince and Al B Sure made this is an all-star affair that doesn’t get enough credit for continuing New Jack Swing’s momentum. It’s one of the most complete R&B debuts of all time, and Tevin’s best work.

Forgotten favorites: “Look What We’d Have (If You Were Mine),” “One Song,” “Perfect World”

T.E.V.I.N. or I’m Ready? What’s your pick for Tevin’s best album and why? Let us know below.