| Product Summary | | Label: Telarc International Corp. | | UPC: 00053361310523 | | Release Date: 3/28/2006 | | Buy.com Sku: 202316164 | | Item#: M2V3RU | Format:  CD |
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| Song Listing |  |
Disc 1
| | Song Title | Sample | | 1. House Arrest ~ Pieces Of A Dream |  | | 2. Forward Emotion ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 3. Triflin' ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 4. Sincere ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 5. Sailing ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 6. Wake Up Call ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 7. Teresa ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 8. Those 3 Words ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 9. In That Mood ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 10. Attitiude ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 11. Your Love ~ Pieces Of A Dream | | | 12. Pillow Talk ~ Pieces Of A Dream | |
| Thirty Years ago, it was nothing more than a creative lark for two young kids from Philadelphia. Keyboardist James Lloyd was 11 and drummer Curtis Harmon was 13. All they wanted to do was make good music. They took the name Pieces of a Dream from the title of a 1974 Stanley Turrentine album, and the rest, as they say…
Some of the names and faces have changed over the years, but Lloyd and Harmon are still at the core of this powerhouse contemporary jazz combo, and the commitment to music that is not just good but great has never wavered in the three intervening decades. The new album finds Lloyd, Harmon and company just as passionate about their craft in this new century as those two Philly youngsters back in the day.
Pillow Talk is a perfect example of how Pieces has successfully navigated the years. Filled with catchy riffs, infectious grooves and compelling vocal work, it’s the kind of record that speaks to the moment yet still holds up well over time.
| | Album Notes and Credits |
Notes & Personnel Info |  | Pieces of a Dream: Ramona Dunlap (vocals); James Lloyd (piano, keyboards, programming); David Dyson (bass guitar); Curtis Harmon, Eddie Baccus, Jr. | | Personnel: Todd Parsnow (guitar, acoustic guitar); David Cullen (guitar); Greg Riley, Eddie Baccus, Jr. (saxophone); Curtis Harmon (keyboards, drums, percussion, programming, background vocals); Martin Walters (programming); Cherie Mitchell (background vocals). | | Additional personnel: Cherie Mitchell, Scott Mann (vocals); Tony Watson Jr. (saxophone); Bernie Sims (keyboards); David Cullen, Todd Parsnow. | | Audio Mixer: Martin Walters. | | Recording information: Big Time Audio, Dallas, TX; Boom Camp Studios, Reading, PA; From Above Music, Youngstown, OH. | | Photographer: John Secoges. | | There are but a few contemporary jazz ensembles that can boast of having more than 20 solid years of hits in their discographies. However, Pieces of a Dream, celebrating 30 years of funky jazz with Pillow Talk, have done just that. The powerhouse contemporary jazz combo -- which can always be depended upon to provide all the right party grooves and the sublime essence of smooth jazz -- reinvents itself on 12 songs that feature sexy riffs, infectious grooves, and the compelling vocals of Ramona Dunlap. Led by acclaimed funkmeisters keyboardist James Lloyd and drummer Curtis Harmon, "House Arrest," an instrumental song with a house-style beat, opens the set. The danceability of "House Arrest" is what makes this song so happening. On "Triflin'," "Those Three Words," and "Your Love," vocalist Ramona Dunlap examines the visual rhymes that weave their way through the group's collaborations. On "Triflin'," a song she co-wrote with Lloyd and Cherie Mitchell, her style is somewhat reminiscent of Lalah Hathaway and Jill Scott, but the synchronicity is all her own. Her scats and raps are right in line with the background vocals of Cherie Mitchell. "Sincere" features the exemplary sax work of Tony Watson, while "Attitude" sets Lloyd's complex piano lines and Watson's full-bodied sax riffs against a hip-hop backbeat. "Teresa" is a beautiful midtempo ballad dedicated to Lloyd's wife. His gorgeous piano melody is a metaphor of beautiful emotions. The title track closes the set with the flair of melodic jazz-pop. If you go for this style with its sexy edge and catchy hooks, you'll find plenty of new signature riffs and harmonies here. Pieces of a Dream have taken a fresh approach to their sound, and their craft is solidly defined. There is a creative fit that will put you "In That Mood" to make great "Pillow Talk." ~ Paula Edelstein |
Producer: Curtis Harmon; James Lloyd |
| | Compilation Appearances |
| | Technical Info | | Release Date : 03/30/2006 | | Original Release Date : 2006 | | Catalog ID : 3105 | | Label : Heads Up Records | | Number of Discs : 1 | | Studio/Live : Studio | | Mono/Stereo : Stereo | | SPAR Code : n/a | | UPC : 00053361310523 |
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| | Professional Reviews | | JazzTimes (p.150)
- "They've had a long time to perfect their alternately smooth, funky and ballad-driven instrumental music, and they've become damn perfect at it." |
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