Not the strongest Sanborn collaboration with multi-instrumentalist/writer/producer Marcus Miller, but it certainly has its moments. I think the album tries to cover a bit from all phases of Sanborn's multi-faceted career: '80s instrumental pop, Night Music, R&B/soul Sanborn, and the more straight ahead attempts of the Elektra-era (1991-99). So the album isn't cohesive, especially when four different vocalists appear for tracks with a definite late-'90s adult contemporary sheen.
What ultimately holds it back for me are the scattered choices of material and arrangements. There are some questionable drum programming and looping decisions. However, the musicianship is consistently good, Sanborn sounds like Sanborn, and the album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance. Despite multiple nominations, that win was the only one for Sanborn in that particular Grammy category, which was awarded between the years 1992-2011.
Ratings/reviews:
- Hi-Fi World: "Not half bad at all."
- The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★½
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: Did not chart
- Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #2
Tracks: The highlights for me are the remake of Lisa (originally appeared on Sanborn's 1980 album, Hideaway) and Brother Ray, a tribute to Ray Charles. Skip track 3, Trance. As for the vocal tracks, Cassandra Wilson on a cover of Aretha Franklin's Day Dreaming is a good idea. Lalah Hathaway and Eric Benét on When I'm With You makes musical sense, but it's almost too slick and radio ready. And Sting on a cover of the Bill Withers hit Ain't No Sunshine is... well, that's very 1999.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None
Previously revisited for the blog:
No comments:
Post a Comment