A fine compilation of Joe
Sample tracks selected by Rhino Records as part of their Hi-Five series of
digital downloads released in 2007.
Rhino Records, Digital
Download, 2007
Musicians: Joe Sample - Piano, Piano
[Electric], Keyboards, Synthesizer, Arranger Larry Williams, Ricky
Peterson - Synthesizer St. Paul, Michael Landau -
Guitar Dean Parks - Guitar
[Electric] Marcus Miller - Bass Steve Gadd, Omar Hakim -
Drums Lenny Castro - Percussion Jason Miles, Robbie Buchanan
- Programming Lori Perry, Lynn Davis, Jim
Gilstrap - Vocals [Background]
With apologies to Dianne
Reeves, Patti Austin has always quite simply been the best jack-of-all-genre
singers on the planet, crossing effortlessly from jazz to pop and R&B with
a voice that's so sweet, rich, and lovely, it can't help but warm the heart. On
the heels of her 1988 masterpiece The Real Me, her GRP debut packs a wallop of
festive up-tempo tunes, lite funk pop, torchy message songs, passionate
ballads, and breezy tenderness -- all delivered with a truly Austin-tatious
flair. Austin surrounds herself with some of pop jazz's best here, with GRP's
1990 roster well represented: Dave Grusin (whose production is flawless), Don
Grusin (with whom she co-wrote the happy "Ooh Wee [The Carnival]"),
Deborah Henson-Conant (whose harp adds punch to "In My Dreams"), Lee
Ritenour, and Nelson Rangell (whose alto soars on the title cut). But as
tantalizing as the music is, it is Austin who gives the collection wings with a
powerful voice whose mood she so artfully modulates depending on the feel of
the individual tune. Soft and tender on her own composition "In My
Life," easy and lilting for "In My Dreams," and full of genuine
excitement for "Through the Test of Time" and "Ooh Wee." An
added bonus is the Oscar nominated "The Girl Who Used to Be Me,"
which gives Austin a chance to show her range, even if the tune is a bit
schmaltzy. ~ by Jonathan Widran, AMG.
GRP Records, GRD-9603, 1990 Recorded At Sunset Sound
Studios, Hollywood, California
Personnel: Patti Austin - Vocals,
Backing Vocals, Vocal Arrangements Dave Grusin - Piano,
Synthesizer, Keyboards, Harmonica, Rhythm & Vocal Arrangements, Vocals
[Background] Nelson Rangell - Alto
Saxophone Ernie Watts - Tenor Saxophone David Paich - Keyboards,
Synthesizer, Arranger Greg Phillinganes - Piano Steve Porcaro - Synthesizer Michael Landau, Lee Ritenour
- Guitar Nathan East, Neil Stubenhaus
- Bass Deborah Henson-Conant - Harp Harvey Mason - Drums Paulinho Da Costa, Lenny
Castro, Michael Fisher, Jeff Porcaro - Percussion Robin Beck, Shelton Becton,
Jocelyn Brown, Bill Eaton, Lani Groves, Casey Sissik, James
"D-Train" Williams - Vocals [Background]
Strings: David Nadien - Concert
Master, Violin Elena Barere, Arnold Eidus,
Barry Finclair, Regis Iandiorio, Charles Libove, Louann Montesi, John
Pintavalle, Matthew Raimondi, Richard Sortomme, Marti Sweet, Gerald Tarack -
Violin Jean R. Dane, Carol Landon,
Sue Pray - Viola Charles McCracken, Richard
Locker - Cello
Tracks: 01. Through The Test Of Time
{David Pack, Jeff Pescetto} (5:07) 02. Too Soon To Know
{Lorraine Feather, Michael McDonald, David Pack} (4:23) 03. In My Life {Patti Austin}
(4:04) 04. Love Is Gonna Getcha {Lou
Pardini, Alan Scott, Reed Vertelney} (5:04) 05. Ooh-Whee [The Carnival]
{Patti Austin, Don Grusin} (5:41) 06. Believe The Children {Lyn
Laboriel, Lou Pardini, Abraham Laboriel, Sr.} (5:36) 07. Good In Love {Robin
Batteau, François Eckart, Jeff Southworth} (4:38) 08. Wait For Me {Don Grusin,
Kate Markowitz, Christina Trulio} (5:26) 09. First Time Love {Patti
Austin, Dave Grusin, Harvey Mason, Sr.} (5:31) 10. In My Dream {Eddie Arkin,
Edward Arkin, Beckie Foster} (5:09) 11. The Girl Who Used To Be
Me {Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Marvin Hamlisch} (4:16)
Total Time: 54:55
Credits: Producer, Executive Producer,
Liner Notes - Dave Grusin Executive Producer, Producer
- Larry Rosen Producer - David Paich Production Coordination -
Suzanne Sherman Production Assistant -
Barbara Hein Engineer - Bill Cooper, Tom
Knox, Ed Rak, Bob Schaper Assistant Engineer, Engineer
- Matthew "Boomer" La Monica, Joe Martin, Brian Soucy Engineer, Mixing - Don Murray Mixing Assistant - Elaine
Anderson Digital Editing - Mike Landy,
Robert Vosgien Mastering - Wally Traugott Creative Director - Andy
Baltimore Photography - Richard Corman Graphic Design - David Gibb,
Jacki McCarthy, Andy Ruggirello, Dan Serrano Liner Notes - Patti
Austin
