Patti Austin: On The Wat To Love (2001)

After affiliations with CTI (1976-80), Qwest (1981-88), and GRP (1990-1994), Patti Austin, as she passed the age of 50, seemed to have moved permanently from the soul jazz divisions of major labels to independents like Concord Jazz (for whom she made In and Out of Love in 1998) and even more modest recording affiliations (her last album, Street of Dreams, was handled by Platinum Entertainment). It is therefore something of a surprise that she has landed back at Quincy Jones' Warner Bros.-distributed Qwest label for her 15th album, On the Way to Love. It's also good news, since a singer of Austin's talent (and there aren't many of those) deserves the exposure possible through major-label distribution. The question, of course, is what sort of commercial compromises it entails. The answer is that Qwest's vision for Austin, one she seems to endorse enthusiastically, is to take her right back to the kind of quiet storm/adult contemporary/smooth jazz approach that characterized most of her earlier Qwest releases in the 1980s. Paul Brown, Boney James' producer, has been brought in, and, not surprisingly, the saxophonist turns up on "If You Really Need Me Now," a track that also features Austin's old duet partner (and Qwest labelmate) James Ingram. Siedah Garrett, another Qwest stalwart, co-wrote the title song, and Austin herself contributed to the writing of three songs, among them "Love's Been Kind to Me Lately," an attractive pop song that, like many here, may be more welcome on contemporary jazz stations than anywhere else. The songs indulge in street argot here and there, but this is an upscale effort for the most part, music for middle-aged Terry McMillan fans who aren't Waiting to Exhale anymore, but still don't want to work up a sweat. It's not bad, but Austin can do much better. -- William Ruhlmann

Tracklist:
01. Girlfriend (4:02)
02. What Can I Say? (4:17)
03. On The Way To Love (4:00)
04. Love's Been Kind To Me Lately (3:37)
05. Make It Right (4:27)
06. If You Really Need Me Now (4:28)
07. Playin' Arround (3:55)
08. Let Me Be Me (4:26)
09. Southern Rain (4:31)
10. Tell Me Why (4:33)
11. Love's Been Kind To Me Lateley (Unplugged) (3:38)
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Peter White: Caravan Of Dreams (1996)

Peter White is one of those rare artists whose unique sound and natural, unpretentious musical vision encapsulate all the charm, appeal, and excitement of his genre. However one chooses to label that style -- new adult contemporary, contemporary jazz, pop instrumental -- the English-born acoustic guitarist has struck rare chords, artistically, commercially, and emotionally, in becoming a melodic mainstay at the top of every radio airplay and sales chart known to soulful, smooth jazz since launching his solo career in 1990 with reveillez-vous. White's similarly warmhearted, instantly infectious Columbia debut Caravan of Dreams continues in the R&B vein of his previous two discs (1993's Promenade and 1994's Reflections), focusing on his trademark breezes while texturing street-smart synth grooves with a free-spirited all-star ensemble to create a whimsical musical travelog. While many of his best radio hits have been very saxophone oriented, for Caravan of Dreams, White made sure that his beloved guitar is in the forefront. And to better accentuate the urban sensibilities his previous albums only hinted at, he chose to collaborate with veteran producer Paul Brown, whose street vibe with Boney James has helped make the saxman one of rhythm and jazz's premier performers. Helping add spice to White's snappy strains and Brown's Midas urban flow is a perfect complement of contemporary jazz's usual suspects, James (on sax and WX-7 windsynth) to White's longtime reed player Dave Camp (on flute), Rick Braun (flьgelhorn) and urban gypsy guitarist Marc Antoine, who duets with White along the simmering, Latin-tinged edges of "Cafe Mystique." James adds a lush yet muscular harmony on tenor and soprano, respectively, to the laid-back hip-hop of the title track and the silky, romantic "Together Again." Lenny Castro's surefire percussion adds a lively rhythmic vibe to the summery pleasures of "Venice Beach," while the swirling passions of "Ready & Willing" showcase the guitarist at his most intimate. The explosive energy of "Long Ride Home," featuring artsy solo turns by Braun and Camp, perfectly reflects the drive-time lunacy of life on the road. ~ Jonathan Widran

Tracklist:

01. Caravan Of Dreams
(Featuring Boney James)
02. Together Again
(Featuring Boney James)
03. Venice Beach
04. Soul Embrace
05. Long Ride Home
(Featuring Rick Braun)
06. Just Another Day
(Featuring Basia)
07. City Of Lights
08. Cafe Mystique
(Featuring Marc Antoine)
09. Bittersweet
10. Lullaby

Personnel: Peter White (vocals, guitar, accordion, keyboards, synthesizer, mini-Moog synthesizer); Paul Brown (vocals, programming); D. Harvey, Basia (vocals); Marc Antoine (guitar); Dave Camp (flute); Boney James (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, synthesizer); Rick Braun (flugelhorn); Allan A. Sams, Michael Egizi (keyboards, programming); John Mahon (drums, timpani); Joel Rosenblatt (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion); Daddy Shakespeare, Paul Brown (programming).

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Paul Brown: Love You Found Me (2010)

Paul's newest album is entitled Love You Found Me and is scheduled for release September 28th on Shanachie Entertainment. Paul invited a lot of great musicians to his new project like Jeff Carruthers, Dax Reynosa, Boney James, DeYon Dobson, Michael Ripoll and more. For further details about the musicians scroll down to the really big list.

The album starts with the bluesy Sugarfish. A relaxed finger snapping melody with a hooking aura Paul has co-written with Jeff Carruthers. Jeff already worked with Paul on his albums Up Front and White Sand.

Toast And Jam features famous sax player Jessy J and Dax Reynosa in a clapping club style. Paul Brown already recorded with Dax on Euge Groove's album Sunday Morning. Paul paints the melody in mellow accurate chords on guitar.

On Strollin' Paul takes a night walk on the George Benson avenue accompanied by companion Richard Elliot on sax. Euge Groove, who co-wrote this tune with Paul, plays keys, drums and bass. A remarkable detail.

The title song Love You Found Me showcases Paul in a spectacular role as singer. He did a great job on this ballade. Often stands the instrumental part of an album In The Shadows. Not on Paul's new album. He displays the hooking melody with steady tones.

It was really easy for Paul Brown to wrote Let Me Love You. He is married with the wonderful beauty Jacqui Brown, who was responsible for the vocal production on Love You Found Me and The One You Lean On. The last-named song shows Paul in a earthy and bluesy attitude. Peter White once commented: "When Paul and I work together, we resist the temptation to be too clever; we try to make music that moves you in your gut." This is exactly Paul's motif on this album.

On Right Back At Ya Paul seamlessly performs his electric guitar with Marc Antoine's acoustic guitar, which gives this song a special attraction, we already loved on ForeignXchange. Honestly, Paul is a real charmer and when he performs Midnight Kiss, women will melt.

Is Paul Brown the next Bob Dylan? On End Of The Day he strongly performs in that style. The final tune Shine Shoes features singer genius Al Jarreau. He hopes to start recording later this year and release by the summer of 2011. According to Billboard Al will use this song for his new album.

Love You Found Me uncovers a new facet of great guitarist and singer Paul Brown. His music is not political, social or philosophical, but he is an extraordinary composer. With that talent he shows a new entertaining direction, smooth jazz can go today's.

Featuring:

Paul Brown - guitars, drums, percussion and vocals;
Jeff Carruthers - keys, bass, drums, rhythm guitar, arrangement;
Greg Adams - flugel horn;
Jessy J - flute, tenor sax;
Marco Basci - keys, drums, arrangement;
Richard Elliot - sax;
Euge Groove - keys, drums, bass, sax, arrangement;
Roberto Vally - bass;
Michael Ripoll - rhythm guitar, bass, arrangement;
Brandon Coleman -keys;
Philippe Saisse - keys;
Cedric Anderson - drums;
Dax Reynosa - vocals;
Nick Tashjian - bass, drums;
Marc Antoine - nylon guitar, bass, keys;
Jerry Hey - horns;
Tommy Kay - rhythm guitar;
Al Jarreau - vocals, background vocals;
DW3 - background vocals;
Boney James - arrangement.

WebSite: PaulBrownJazz.com

Tracklist:
01. Sugarfish [3:38]
02. Toast And Jam [4:33]
03. Strollin' [4:23]
04. Love You Found Me [4:01]
05. In The Shadows [3:57]
06. Let Me Love You [4:56]
07. The One You Lean On [3:26]
08. Right Back At Ya [3:43]
09. Midnight Kiss [4:00]
10. End Of The Day [3:11]
11. Shine Shoes [3:57]

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Paul Brown & Friends: White Sand (2007)

One of the leading Contemporary Jazz guitarists/producers in the world, Paul Brown makes his stunning debut on Peak Records celebrating his intense musical foundation with an elite group of friends. These `friends" include Al Jarreau, Boney James, Bobby Caldwell, Lina, Euge Groove, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Jesse J and David Benoit. Brown has been creating distinctive, "hummable" tracks for years for other artists and has a keen instinct for knowing what his fans want to hear. On "White Sands", his third album as a solo artist, he has created some immediately identifiable tracks which are destined to be come instant crowd pleasers. A two time Grammy award winner, Brown was also named the "most played" artist in the 2006 year end charts for Radio and Records with his #1 track, "Winelight".

Tracklist:

1. White Sand (Jessy J) 4:21

2. The Rhythm Method (Paul Brown) 4:00

3. Makes Me Feel So Good (Paul Brown) 4:06
4. Ol' Skoolin' (Paul Brown) 4:25
5. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Paul Brown) 4:18
6. R 'n' B Bump (David Benoit) 4:27
7. I Say A Little Prayer (Paul Brown) 3:37
8. More Or Less Paul (Paul Brown) 4:39
9. For What It's Worth (Paul Brown) 3:36
10. Mr. Cool (Rick Braun) 4:09
White Sand
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