Gerald Albright, Norman Brown - 24/7 (2012)

24/7 features the smooth jazz super-duo of guitarist Norman Brown and saxophonist Gerald Albright. Two of the biggest names in contemporary instrumental pop, Brown and Albright are a perfect pair to team up and 24/7 makes the most of their talents. Sounding slick but never too slick, the album features stylish production by both artists along with keyboardist Herman Jackson. Brown and Albright primarily stick to the more soulful contemporary R&B end of smooth jazz here, and cuts such as the bright and melodic leadoff cut "In the Moment," the cinematic "Perfect Love," and the sensuous title track -- featuring vocals by Gerald's daughter Selina Albright -- are finger-snapping, head-bobbing numbers that set a romantic, positive-minded mood. Elsewhere, we get the Brazilian funk of "Buenos Amigos," the club-ready "Yes I Can," and the old-school R&B of "Champagne Life," once again featuring the attractive, sweetly soulful vocals of the younger Albright. More than a few cuts on 24/7 have an old-school vibe that, while never getting too deep into any decade-specific production, do evince a clear passion for various R&B sounds from the '70s through the '90s. For longtime fans of either of these contemporary jazz titans, 24/7 will certainly be a round-the-clock pleasure. ~ by Matt Collar, AMG. 

Concord Music Group, CJA-33445-02, 2012 

Recording Locations: -
Bright Music Studios, Castle Rock, CO
In Your Ear Studios, Richmond, VA
Permanent Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA
Titan Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA
Ahhsum Studios, West Covina, CA
jLaj-Music Studios, Fredericksburg, VA
2nd Bedroom Studios, Atlanta, GA
Resource Studios, West Covina, CA
Gitt Traxx Studios, Atlanta, GA
Strings at CCI Media Torrance, CA 

Musicians:
Gerald Albright - Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxes, Flutes, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Bkgd Vocals
Norman Brown - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar (#3,5,6,9)
Tracy Carter - Keyboards (#1,7,8,10)
Herman Jackson - Keyboards (#2,3,5,6,9)
Phil Davis - Keyboards (#4)
Rick Watford - Rhythm Guitar (#1,4,7,8)
Byron Miller - Bass (#2,3,5,6,9)
Jay Williams - Drums (#1,4,8)
Charles Streeter - Drums (#2,3,5,6,9)
Ricky Lawson - Drums (#10)
Ramon Ysalas - Percussion (#2,3,5,6,9)
Rochella Brown - Vocals (#3)
Demille Cole-Heard - Vocals (#3)
Selina Albright - Vocals (#7), Background Vocals (#8)
Mark Cargill - Strings, Harp & Bell Programming (#10) 

Tracks:
01. In The Moment {Gerald Albright} (4:47)
02. Keep It Moving {Herman Jackson} (5:03)
03. Perfect Love {Norman Brown, Dr. Farid Zarif} (4:29)
04. Buenos Amigos {Gerald Albright} (5:20)
05. Tomorrow {George Johnson, Louis Johnson} (5:53)
06. Yes I Can {Norman Brown} (4:38)
07. 24-7 {Gerald Albright, Selina Albright} (5:59)
08. Champagne Life {David Dorohn, Gough-Shaffer Smith} (5:22)
09. The Best Is Yet To Come {Norman Brown, Jeanette Harris} (4:41)
10. Power Of Your Smile {Gerald Albright} (5:00) 

Total Time: 51:16 

Credits:
Producer - Gerald Albright (#1,4,7,8,10)
Producer - Norman Brown, Herman Jackson (#2,3,5,6,9)
Executive Producer - Mark Wexler
Mixing - Don Murray [Concord Studios, Studio City, CA]
Mixing - Michael Blum [Titan Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA]
Mastering - Paul Blakemore [CMG Mastering]
Photography - Lori Stoll
Art Direction - Larissa Collins
Package Design - Albert J. Roman 

Tomorrow