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
