Silas Records issued several singles in support of the album. "Love's Taken Over" was released as Precious's lead single on July 28, 1992. The song peaked at number eighty-six and number thirteen on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, respectively.[1][2] A second single, "It's Alright," failed to make impact on the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number thirteen on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[2] Two further singles were subsequently released from the album, including "Who Do I Turn to" and "As If We Never Met," though only the former managed to chart.[2]
Rolling Stone's Michael Eric Dyson wrote that on Precious, "ranging from the exhilarating stride she measures on the title track to the infectious groove of "Who Do I Turn To," Moore explores the sweet entanglements of contemporary love with a supple soprano that floats over and into songs [...] Moore's superb singing and writing will unquestionably win her a satisfied audience."[4]Billboard described the album as "a collection of soul-satisfying, jazz-inflected tunes" and further noted that the "singer's light but supple soprano floats like a breeze but delivers maximum emotional intensity."[5]AllMusic rated the album three out of five stars.[3]
Chart performance
Precious first debuted on Billboard's US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the week of October 24, 1992.[6] It spent 61 weeks on the chart and eventually peaked at number 20 on the March 20, 1993.[6] The same week, the album also peaked at number 101 on the US Billboard 200, having previously debuted on January 30, 1993.[7] On November 14, 1994, Precious was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments figures in excess of 500,000 copies.[8]
