Blue Moon

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 01:08:25
Personnel includes: J. Spencer, Norbert Stachel (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones); Stokley Williams, Walter Hawkins (vocals); Father Dom (rap vocals); John "Jubu" Smith (acoustic guitar, guitar); Bill Ortiz, Mondre Moffett (trumpet); Carl Wheeler (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, programming); James Pugh (keyboards, background vocals); Elijah Baker (bass, drum programming); Jamie Brewer (bass); Joel Smith (bass, drums); Brian Collier (drums); Marquinho Brazil, Peter Michael Escovedo (percussion); Terrence Hatter, Tony Mills (programming); Will Davis, Boni Boyer, Fred Busby, Tony Lindsey, Robin Williams, Kitty Beethoven, Brenda Roy (background vocals). Producers: J. Spencer, Elijah Baker (tracks 1, 3); Terrence Hatter (track 2); Carl Wheeler (tracks 4-5, 8-13); J. Spencer (tracks 6-7). Engineers: David Luke, Rico Barretta, Carl Wheeler, Tony Mills, Larry Mah. Recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Inc., Hollywood, California; Coda Studios and Spark Productions, Oakland, California. All songs written or co-written by J. Spencer or Carl Wheeler except "Cherish The Day" (Adu/Hale/Matthewman), "The Man With The Horn" (Hall/Irving) and "Hurry Up This Way Again" (Dexter Wansel/Cynthia Biggs). Personnel: J. Spencer (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Stokley Williams, Walter Hawkins (vocals); Father Dom (rap vocals); John "Jubu" Smith (guitar, acoustic guitar); Norbert Stachel (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Mondre Moffett, Bill Ortiz (trumpet); Carl Wheeler (piano, keyboards, bass synthesizer, drum programming); James Pugh (keyboards, background vocals); Brian Collier, Joel Smith (drums); Marquinto Brazil, Pete Escovedo, Marquinho Brasil (percussion); Terrance Hatter, Elijah Baker (drum programming); Bonnie Boyer, Brenda Roy, Will Davis , Fred Busby, Kitty Beethoven, Robin Williams , Tony Lindsey (background vocals). Audio Mixer: David Luke. Recording information: Coda Studios & Spark Productions, Oakland, CA; Ocean Way Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Oceanway Recording Inc., Hollyw. Arranger: Carl Wheeler. Twenty-something jazz saxophonist J. Spencer creates an engaging mix of solid, contemporary, straight-ahead jazz with a hip-hop sensibility delivered with a youthful spark. On his second MoJazz album, Blue Moon, Spencer continues to develop his sassy mix of jazz and hip-hop idioms. On the mellow title cut (not to be confused with the standard of the same title), in a staid tone, Spencer recites statements that may or may not have a deeper meaning: "my mother, my father...once in a blue moon/unconditional love...once in a blue moon." "I Want U" is silky and romantic with seductive vocals by Will Davis and James Pugh. The smooth "Bells" opens with a rap by Father Dom that includes a marriage proposal and fresh backwards vocals. The first single was the radio-friendly cut "U Should Be Mine," with lead vocals by Stokley of the group Mint Condition. The music video of the song occasionally airs on BET's Midnight Love. Often in a bid for much-needed airplay, contemporary jazz artists cover pop tunes. Most of the covers amount to the aural equivalent of bland wallpaper; devoid of any real personality and invention. Such is not the case with Spencer's cover of Sade's "Cherish the Day," with its soft, funky groove and snappy licks by John "Jubu" Smith. Spencer blows solid lines on his cover of the Stylistics' "Hurry Up This Way Again," and the softly elegant "Reggae Vibe." "Close to You" (an original tune, not the Dionne Warwick/Burt Bacharach/Hal David standard) is great for enjoying with that special someone. As he did with his first MoJazz album, Chimera, Spencer closes his album with an inspirational track. "Lord I Need You" has vocals by gospel great Walter Hawkins. J. Spencer proves again that contemporary jazz need not be uninvolving. ~ Ed Hogan
録音 : ステレオ (Studio)