360 Urban Groove

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:49:56
Personnel: Jimmy Sommers (saxophone); Norman Brown (vocals, guitar); Helene Fussart, Celia Fussart, Ginuwine, Coolio, Lia Grant, Tony Grant, Sandy Plute, Eric Benet, Sparky (vocals); Steve "Stone" Huff (various instruments); Robert Bacon, Raphael Saadiq (guitar, bass); Peter Mokran (guitar, programming); Tommy Organ, Michael Simms, George Nash, Jr., Nile Rodgers (guitar); Jeff Carruthers (keyboards, programming); Freddie Moffet, Michael Norfleet, Mitchell Foreman, Kelvin Wooten, Demonte Posey, Mike Logan (keyboards); Alex Al (bass); Luis Conte, Lenny Castro (percussion); Rick Cousin, Steve Dubin, Jake & The Phatman, Khari Parker (programming); Fatbox (scratches). Producers include: Jimmy Sommers, Jeff Carruthers, Steve Dubin, Raphael Saadiq, Steve "Stone" Huff. Engineers include: John Nelson, Tony Flores, Danny Romero. Personnel: Jimmy Sommers (saxophone); Coolio, Tony Grant, Eric Benet, Celia Faussart, Ginuwine, Lisa Grant, Helene Faussart, Sparkle (vocals); Jerry Johnson , Peter Mokran (guitar, drum programming); Tommy Organ, George Nash, Jr., Nile Rodgers , Raphael Saadiq (guitar); Michael Norfleet, Jeff Carruthers (keyboards, drum programming); Demonte Posey, Mitch Foreman, Freddie Moffett, Kelvin Wooten (keyboards); Lenny Castro, Luis Conte (percussion); Damian Black (programming); Kris Parker, Rick Cousin, Steve Dubin (drum programming). Audio Mixers: Manny Marraquin; Peter Mokran; Jerry Brown. Recording information: Conway Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Gemini Records, LA, CA; Larrabee North, North Hollywood, CA; Pookie Lab, Sacramento, CA; Village Recorders, W Los Angeles, CA. Director: Maria Ehrenreich. Editors: Kelly Hansen; Carlos Villalobos. Jimmy Sommers surrounds himself with top names from R&B, rap, hip-hop, and smooth jazz on his sensational 360 Urban Groove. The saxophonist lets it rip with the likes of guitarist Norman Brown on the title track, with R&B superstar Ginuwine on the funky party jam "Let's Go Party." Further in the set, he is comped by Coolio's rap on a cover of Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown" and then segues into the ever-so-soulful smooth vocals of heartthrob Eric Benet on "Stay a While." Benet proves his staying power on this one, and together he and Sommers give their listeners many reasons to stay tuned to their emotional calls and responses. This song oozes with sincerity and gives you a glimpse of what happens to a listener's imagination when two great voices -- Benet's vocals and Sommer's sax voice -- are paired in a great song. Sommers plays an array of alto saxophone solos that span the style spectrum -- from steamy to feel-good, from sexy and funky to romantic and serene -- his range is completely entertaining. To the contemporary ear, Sommers is the reigning prince of the alto sax voices and has a sound that can be compared to and would harmonize with that of Dave Koz's soprano saxophone voice. He wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on this program with the exception of "Lowdown" and "Lovin' You," which tells you a lot about his compositional integrity and his ability to write for artists outside of the smooth jazz genre. The highlights on this great CD is Jimmy Sommer's excellent sax stylings that wrap listeners in his sexy, intimately smooth sound with labelmates Les Nubians on the opener and surround Sparkle's great vocals on "Lovin' You." Sommers blows a great set that makes this CD a must have. ~ Paula Edelstein
録音 : ステレオ (Studio)