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List Price: $10.98 | | Label: Polygram Records
Salesrank: 755169
Released: August 26, 1997 |
| Our Price: $8.89 |
| Used Price: $0.75 |
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| Media: Audio Cassette |
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Next Track Listing:
1. Who Were You Thinkin' 'Bout? - Vanessa Williams, Thomas, Keith [1]
2. Happiness - Vanessa Williams, Harris, James [Prod
3. And My Heart Goes - Vanessa Williams, Dibbs, J.
4. First Thing on Your Mind - Vanessa Williams, Armato, Antonina
5. Crazy 'Bout You - Vanessa Williams, Simmons, Daryl
6. Lost Without You - Vanessa Williams, Ross, Adrian Johnso
7. Someone Like You - Vanessa Williams, Morrison, Van
8. The Easiest Thing - Vanessa Williams, Lewis, Stephanie [1
9. Surrender - Vanessa Williams, Eastmond, Barry J
10. Start Again - Vanessa Williams, Kelly, R.
11. And If I Ever - Vanessa Williams, Harris, James [Prod
12. Oh How The Years Go By - Vanessa Williams, Climie, Simon
Next Reviews:
"Next" is very UNDER rated!!! 
2006-04-19 - I got my first copy of the album in the mail today and I can't seem to get enough. While I must agree there should have been more dance tracks like "Happiness", Vanessa's forte is obviously the ballads. Her take on Van Morrison's "Someone like you" is smooth and emotional. Similar to her last sultry "Betcha Never" from the sweetest days album, "Who were you thinking bout" deals with the same cheating man. I love the beats on it. First thing on your mind and "And my heart goes" are lovely soulfoul songs. R. kelly impressed me with his written song for Vanessa "Start Again" which she mastered to perfection. The best song on the album is the last song-"Oh How The Years Go By". Vanessa has matured, and the fluffy dance hits are a thing of the past. Lets look forward to the NEXT album of sensible soulful music from Williams.
"Next" is good, but not essential for a novice of Vanessa 
2005-07-13 - "Next" was Vanessa Williams last effort under Mercury Records before her brief, non-album stint under Island Records before moving on to Lava Records. This album had huge publicity since she just divorced her first husband, but the record label completely ignored any promotion for this album once it appeared in late Summer of 1997.
The album starts with the catchy pop tune "Who Were You Thinkin' 'Bout?" as Williams sings about her unfaithful lover. The next song on the album is the smash hit "Happiness" followed by the sexy mid-tempo "And My Heart Goes." The song "And My Heart Goes" ranks up there with her timeless hit "The Comfort Zone" as this tune has a deep bass line, excellent vocals from Williams and lush background vocals. "First Thing On You Mind" sound somewhat generic and I would suggest seeking out the house remix of this tune by Jonathan Peters instead. "Crazy 'Bout You" suffers from having a generic, forgettable sound to it as actually most of the album possesses. Most of the album actually sounds somewhat over produced and this is to be expected as the same people, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who have done the same thing on Janet Jackson's last several albums, produced most of the tracks here.
Two other stand out tracks found on this album would be Williams cover of Van Morrison tune "Someone Like You" and her 1995 hit also found on the NBA soundtrack, the tune "Oh How The Years Go By."
This album lacks upbeat tunes minus the hit "Happiness" and this is a trend Williams has done on albums since, but I hope someday she can find a better balance between the ballads and up-tempo tunes. Ultimately, Williams vocals makes the over produced tunes sound interesting enough, but not enough to make the songs memorable.
What's "Next"? 
2004-08-09 - I was not writing reviews on this site when this cd first came on the scene. But since I still play this cd constantly I thought I would do the honors now. What can I say about this woman who has defied the odds. When peeps said her career was over this lady said "be dammed, I am just starting". Vanessa has that talent that is unstoppable since she has not tied herself to one thing in the industry. What can't this gal do? I have all her cds because I adore her as an artist and as a black woman. But this is my favorite cd. From the very beginning with "Who were you thinking about" Ms V has me. The songs are smooth and tantalizing to the ear. Her voice is just pure gold. I love all these songs. It is great for relaxation and adult conversation. It is truely a great piece of work. I look forward to her "Next" cd and I will be right there on release day. Stay up girlfriend - we got cha.
Not one of her best 
2004-06-23 - Vanessa's fourth album "Next" sounded uneven to me. A couple of songs are okay, but there's not a continuity like the other albums before it. I liked "Happiness" and how Jam & Lewis were able to interpolate Nu Shooz's 1985 song "I Can't Wait" into that song and place a funky beat under it. But the rest of the album has too many forgettable songs within it and the ballads lack punch to me. Such an uneven joint music wise when you listen to it now.
Pleasant But Uninspired
2002-06-28 - Vanessa Williams' fourth studio effort finds her returning to a more straightforward musical landscape after the more ambitious work of her last set THE SWEETEST DAYS. Though the album has its' moments('Happiness','Oh How The Years Go By','Lost Without You'), it ulitmately fails for the most part due to the fact that the songs aren't nearly as distinctive as those on DAYS or her sterling COMFORT ZONE album--many seem like decent, yet generic castoffs hidden under slick production. As usual, she's in top vocal form, which helps hold some interest, but not enough to make this anything more than an album of pleasant but mostly uninspired filler.
