Sugar & Spice (Mya album)

In 2007, the singer's fourth studio album Liberation was accidentally released in Japan when the release date changed. At the time, she was signed to Universal Motown and her lawyer advised the singer to not waste time and money taking the issue to court, so Harrison decided to go independent instead. The Liberation album became so popular in Japan that indie label Manhattan Recordings approached her about doing business with them. Harrison then released her first independent project, Sugar & Spice, a year after her split with Motown in Japan in 2008.[7]

Unlike her first four studio albums, which were financed by major record labels, Sugar & Spice was solely self-funded and self-produced in Mya's home studio in her hometown of Washington D.C. After signing an exclusive recording contract with Manhattan Recordings, Harrison began production for the album in September 2008.[9] Unfamiliar with the independent route and to keep recording cost down as much as possible, Harrison opted to work with a variety of less known producers to create Sugar & Spice. In search of new producers, while at a Guitar Center in Los Angeles buying equipment Mya met reggae producer Chris "Riddim Fingaz" Garvey's brother and got his phone number.[9] Aware of his great production skills, Mya reluctantly called him, collaborated and produced "Paradise", a riddim-inspired song.[9] Of his contribution to Sugar & Spice, Harrison commented, "Riddim Fingaz has a great presence and is a great talent."[9]

Continuing production on Sugar & Spice, Harrison reached out to Yonni, a young producer from Cleveland, Ohio with whom she met through MySpace.[9] Prior to the leakage of her fourth studio album Liberation, Yonni had produced a remix version of Harrison's single "Ridin'".[9] Impressed with his production skills, Harrison and Yonni continued to work together and maintain a professional relationship.[9] Additionally, Harrison sought out UK singer, songwriter and producer Stevie Hoang for contribution to Sugar & Spice as well.[9] With 14 tracks in total, in an article commenting on the finished results, Sugar & Spice was described as a lineup of songs that stimulate the Japanese quintessence that set apart from her previous albums and dubbed musically as her most wonderful work to date.[10]

Musically, Sugar & Spice contains melodic songs based on the pop genre that compliments Mya's vocals.[10] Commenting on the album's theme, Mya explained, "There's a saying, "A life with sugar (sweetness) and spices (stimulation) is wonderful." Girls need sugar and spices, while noting, "This album has a little bit of sugar and a little spice, so you can get to know the two sides of Mýa."[9] Sugar & Spice opens with the '80s pop-inspired "Must Be the Music".[9] It followed by the Riddim Fingaz-produced "Paradise". A riddim song, "Paradise" was chosen as the album's first single after a listening sessions with fans.[9] Track six, the ballad "Cry No More", was described as a "very passionate" song, while mid-tempo "Ego Trippin'" addresses a situation in which Harrison admits that she was wrong.[9] "Shy Guy", a cover of Diana King's hit served as the album's tenth track.[9] When asked why she chose to cover the song, Harrison responded, "It was my favorite song when I was young. I was in reggae mode, so I wanted to add that kind of flavor, while pointing out, "It's a really fun song, it's a bit like sugar and spice."[9] "Back to Disco" the album's twelfth track incorporates element of 70s music.[9]

Following its completion, Sugar & Spice arrived in stores and online December 3, 2008.[11] The following year Manhattan Recordings issued Sugar & Spice: The Perfect Edition, a double disc album that featured a new track, new remixes and past hits within her discography on August 5, 2009.[12]

To promote Sugar & Spice, Manhattan Recordings organized and arranged an album release party at Fever, a popular night club/music venue where Harrison performed for the very first time in Japan. A 40 minute stage show that featured four costumes changes, Mya was accompanied by four dancers and performed new material from Sugar & Spice as well as her past hits which included, "Paradise", "Shy Guy", "Must Be the Music", "Fallen", and "The Best of Me".[13]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Sugar & Spice.[15]

Visuals and imagery

Technical and production