Back to Basics

Back to Basics is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Christina Aguilera, released in August 2006 by RCA Records as a double album. Serving as executive producer, she enlisted collaborators including DJ Premier, Rich Harrison, Rob Lewis, Mark Ronson, and Linda Perry. Recording sessions began in January 2005 and ended in April 2006, taking place at Chalice Recording Studios and Record Plant. Inspired by her 1920s-1940s idols including Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald, Aguilera sought to bring old-school jazz, blues and soul inspirations with a modernized style into Back to Basics. Primarily a pop and R&B record, the first half disc blends old-school and modern R&B with hip hop and urban elements with most songs employing horn samples, while the second half contains all live-recorded tracks (with the exception of "Candyman"). Lyrically, the album is inspired by real-life events Aguilera had experienced, including her marriage with Jordan Bratman in 2005.