Notes & Personnel Info |
 | Personnel: Kenny G (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Brian McKnight (vocals, various instruments); Chante Moore (vocals); Jorge Calandrelli (conductor); Michael Landau (electric guitar); Phil Upchurch (guitar); |
| Heitor Pereum, Ramon Stagnaro (nylon string guitar); Randy Waldman (piano); Walter Afanasieff (Hammond B-3 organ, programming); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards); Alex Al (bass); Donell Spencer (drums); Josh Binder, Frank Maranzino (programming). |
| Producers: Walter Afanasieff, Kenny G, Brian McKnight. |
| PARADISE was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Pop Instrumental Album. "All The Way" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. |
| Personnel: Kenny G (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Chant? Moore (vocals, background vocals); Brian McKnight (vocals); Michael Landau (guitar, electric guitar); Phil Upchurch (guitar); Ramon Stagnaro (acoustic guitar); Randy Waldman (piano); Walter Afanasieff (keyboards, programming); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards); Donnell Spencer (drums). |
| Audio Mixers: Chris Brooke; Humberto Gatica; Steve Sheppard; Mick Guzauski; Tom Bender. |
| Recording information: Backroom Studios, CA; Paramount Studios, CA; Signet Studios, CA; Wallyworld, Studio G. |
| Photographer: Herb Ritts. |
| Arrangers: Kenny G; William Ross; Jorge Calandrelli; Walter Afanasieff. |
| The smooth jazz messiah and saxman critics love to hate but sells millions anyway returns with a few surprises. Most of the genre's big artists know Kenny G. has great chops, but skeptics will point to the few sappy ballads here and groan, "here we go again, more of the unchallenging stuff." Those folks should check out his one tenor tune, the rockin' blues jam "Midnight Magic," whose feisty energy is about as far from a slick, bland ballad as he can get. Everyone is challenged, from the saxman to producer Walter Afanasieff (who fires up on Hammond B-3) and guitarist Phil Upchurch. A pity there aren't more tunes like that here, but in general, the saxman is on a more rhythmic and exotic plane here, beginning with the jubilant tropicality of the opener, "Brazil" (featuring a full orchestra and Afanasieff's funky keys), and extending through the flamenco-tinged romance "Spanish Nights." "Seaside Jam" and tunes like the title track combine the classic Kenny G. sound with a healthy dose of this type of groove. He has had loads of success with soulful crossover vocals and hits the mark this time with the dreamy urban adult contemporary songs "One More Time" (with Chant? Moore) and "All the Way" (with Brian McKnight). Overall, this is one of Kenny G.'s best, which will work concurrent miracles of selling yet more millions and giving his detractors a song or two they actually might enjoy. ~ Jonathan Widran |
| From the R&B grooves of "Midnight Magic" to the crisp romanticism of "Spanish Nights," it's easy to see why PARADISE earned the soprano sax king of smooth jazz numerous Grammy nominations. Though the esteemed Mr. Gorelick is aided here by a couple of top-shelf R&B vocalists (Brian McKnight on "All the Way" and Chante Moore on "One More Time"), it's his own mellow, highly melodic tone that is the focus of this disc. G's patented brand of user-friendly, mostly instrumental pop is as dependable as any other American tradition you can think of, and fans of his style may enter PARADISE with confidence. |
Engineer: Chris Wood; Chris Brooke; Paul Wertheimer; David Reitzas; Humberto Gatica; Steve Sheppard; Nick Thomas |
Musical Guests |
| Chante Moore |
| Brian McKnight |
| Phil Upchurch |
| Greg Phillinganes |
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