Best Smooth Jazz Ever (2002)

Product Summary Label: Polygram Label Group UPC: 00731458971627 Release Date: 8/27/2002 Buy.com Sku: 60566872 Item#: MSCHGR Format:  CD Song Listing Disc 1 Song Title Sample 1. Cast Your Fate To The Wind - David Benoit ~ Various Artists 2. She Likes To Watch - The Rippingtons ~ Various Artists 3. Ballerina - Special EFX ~ Various Artists 4. Mr. Chow - Acoustic Alchemy ~ Various Artists 5. People Make The World Go Round - Ramsey Lewis ~ Various Artists 6. Kid Gloves - Larry Carlton ~ Various Artists 7. Homecoming - Yellowjackets ~ Various Artists 8. Through The Test Of Time - Patti Austin ~ Various Artists 9. Baby, Come To Me - George Howard ~ Various Artists 10. Little Bumpin', A - Lee Ritenour ~ Various Artists Disc 2 Song Title Sample 1. Standing Together - George Benson ~ Various Artists 2. Crush - Richard Elliot ~ Various Artists 3. Just To Be Loved - Al Jarreau ~ Various Artists 4. ReJoyce - David Benoit ~ Various Artists 5. Madrid - Marc Antoine ~ Various Artists 6. Droptop - Jeff Golub ~ Various Artists 7. Closed Door Jam - Larry Carlton/Lee Ritenour ~ Various Artists 8. Mm-Mm Good - Joyce Cooling ~ Various Artists 9. Cruise Control - George Benson ~ Various Artists 10. Roll With It - David Benoit/Richard Elliot/Jeff Golub ~ Various Artists 11. Uncle Darrows - David Benoit/Richard Elliot/Jeff Golub ~ Various Artists (P) 2002 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. (C) 2002 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.   Album Notes and Credits Notes & Personnel Info Personnel: George Benson , Joyce Cooling (vocals, guitar); Alexandra Brown, Carl Carwell, Brenda Stewart, Sheila Fuller, Debra Parson, Rachele Cappelli, James "D-Train" Williams , Jocelyn Brown, Al Jarreau, Lani Groves, Morris Stewart, Patti Austin, Robin Beck, Shelton Becton, Keith John, Bill Champlin, Bill Eaton (vocals); Russ Freeman (guitar, keyboards, guitar synthesizer); Marc Antoine (guitar, keyboards, drum programming); Chieli Minucci, Jeff Lorber (guitar, keyboards); Emily Remler, Jeff Golub, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour , Mike Sims, Pat Kelley, Paul Jackson, Jr. , Tony Maiden, Kevin Chokan (guitar); John Parsons, Nick Webb (steel guitar); Greg Carmichael (nylon-string guitar); Anatoly Rosinsky, Barbara Porter, Dorothy Wade, Ezra Kliger, Eun Sun Lee, Murray Adler, Juliann French, Robert Brousseau, Joel Derouin, Israel Baker, Jacqueline Brand, Bonnie Douglas, Bruce Dukov, Clayton Haslop, Peter Kent, Paul Shure, Gordon Marron Strings, Miwako Watanabe, Endre Granat (violin); Carol Mukagawa, John Scanlon, Jimbo Ross, Steve Gordon, Simon Oswell, Evan Wilson, Harry Shirinian (viola); Paula Hochhalter, Jodi Burnett, Fred Seykoura, Larry Corbett, Steve Richards , Ray Kramer (cello); Dan Higgins (flute, alto flute, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Gary Herbig, Steve Kujala (flute, alto flute); Tollak Ollestad (harmonica); Richard Elliot (saxophone, tenor saxophone); George Howard (soprano saxophone, drums, drum programming); Kenny G (soprano saxophone); Ernie Watts (tenor saxophone); Jerry Hey (trumpet, flugelhorn, horns, Moog synthesizer, string synthesizer); Gary Grant (trumpet, flugelhorn, horns); Rick Braun (trumpet, keyboards, programming); Bill Ortiz (trumpet); Bill Reichenbach Jr. (trombone, horns); David Benoit (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ); Ricky Peterson (piano, keyboards); Greg Phillinganes, Ramsey Lewis (piano); Kevin Savigar (organ); Tim Gant (keyboards, bass synthesizer); Jay Wagner (keyboards, programming); Gregg Karukas, James Raymond, Larry Williams , Matt Rollings, Michael Bearden, Mitchel Forman, Phil Davis, Rainer Bruninghaus, Russell Ferrante, Greg Mathieson, Rick Jackson (keyboards); Dave Grusin (synthesizer); Tim Heintz (string synthesizer); Steve Crowes (Synclavier); Bob Mintzer (EWI); David Palmer (drums, cymbals); Steve Dubin (drums, percussion, programming, drum programming); Steve Cobb (drums, percussion); David Garibaldi, Bert Smaak, Harvey Mason, Sr. , John Ferraro , Lil' John Roberts, Omar Hakim, Peter Erskine, William Kennedy, Steve Ferrone, Ray Griffin (drums); Alex Acu¤a (congas, percussion); George Jinda (cowbells, cymbals, finger cymbals, shaker, shekere, tambourine, temple blocks, crotales, sleigh bell); Tony Morales (cymbals); Lenny Castro, Luis Conte, Mario Argandona, Michael Fisher, Paulinho Da Costa, Pete Escovedo, Cassio Duarte (percussion); Eric Troyer (sampler). Recording information: 29th Street Studios, Torrance, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Alpha Studios, Burbank, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); BearTracks, Suffern, NY (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Bill Champlin Studios (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Broadway Productions, New York, NY (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Brontosoarus Studio. Woodland Hills, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Buxer Studios, Los Angeles, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Chicago Recording Company, Chicago, IL (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Clinton Recorders, New York, NY (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Dubie Grooves, Los Angeles, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Enterprise studios, Burbank, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Frogland Studio (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Funky Joint Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Hansa House, Bonn, Germany (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Horizon Studios, NJ (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Juiper Studios, Glendale CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); LA FX, North Hollywood, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Larry Carlton's Studio, Canyon County, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Larry World Studios (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Live Oaks, Berkeley, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Power Station, New York, NY (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Room 335, Hollywood, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Schnee Studio, North Hollywood, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Skyline Studios, New York, NY (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Soul Shack (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); The Clubhouse, San Francisco, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); the Record Plant, Hollywood, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); The Roxy, Los Angeles, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002); Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, CA (07/11/1986-02/06/2002). Arrangers: George Benson ; Jerry Hey; Larry Carlton; Lee Ritenour ; Phil Davis; Ricky Peterson; Russ Freeman ; Steve Dubin. The Best Smooth Jazz Ever is packed with smooth jazz radio hits and highlights the musicians who have brought depth and soul to the most successful contemporary jazz label in the world over the past 20 years. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of GRP Records, this two-CD set features some of the most respected names in the jazz style, including Al Jarreau, Lee Ritenour, Ramsey Lewis, and Patti Austin, as well a hot new rendition of Steve Winwood's "Roll With It," performed by David Benoit, Richard Elliot, and Jeff Golub under the group name Group 3. Despite the fact that several of the artists on this compilation no longer record for GRP -- such as the Rippingtons, the Yellowjackets, and Acoustic Alchemy -- many of them got their start at GRP, a label co-founded by pianist Dave Grusin. There are many exceptional highlights within this set, including Al Jarreau's hit from his 2000 GRP debut, Tomorrow Today, titled "Just to Be Loved," and the late George Howard's rendition of "Baby Come to Me" from his 1991 CD titled Love and Understanding. However, the exclusion of songs performed or composed by Dave Grusin from this special anniversary compilation is very noticeable, especially since the label has received over 80 Grammy nominations and other coveted awards under his aegis. Otherwise this excellent compilation speaks for itself and remains a first-rate selection for any contemporary jazz collection. ~ Paula Edelstein Producer: Bud Harner; Chieli Minucci; Dave Grusin; David Benoit; Frayne Lewis; George Howard; George Jinda; Jay Wagner; Jeff Golub; Jeffrey Weber; John Parsons; Larry Carlton; Lee Ritenour; Marc Antoine; Ramsey Lewis; Rick Braun; Russ Freeman; Steve Dubin; Victor B   Technical Info Release Date : 08/27/2002 Original Release Date : 2002 Catalog ID : 589716 Label : GRP Records (USA) Number of Discs : 2 Studio/Live : Studio Mono/Stereo : Stereo SPAR Code : n/a UPC : 00731458971627    Product Image