Star Power (2009)

Product Summary Label: SHANACHIE/KOCH UPC: 00016351517128 Release Date: 2/24/2009 Buy.com Sku: 210674310 Item#: M4KHSW Format:  CD Song Listing Disc 1 Song Title Sample 1. Used To Be - (featuring Christopher Williams/Bobby Lyle) ~ Norman Connors 2. Where Do We Go From Here - (featuring Howard Hewett/Antoinette) ~ Norman Connors 3. Sweetest Taboo, The - (featuring Antoinette/Bobby Lyle) ~ Norman Connors 4. Walk On By - (featuring Antoinette) ~ Norman Connors 5. Rock With You - (featuring Ray Parker, Jr./Kirk Wilson) ~ Norman Connors 6. You Take My Breath Away - (featuring Danny Boy/Danny Lerman) ~ Norman Connors 7. Stormin' Norman - (featuring Herman Jackson) ~ Norman Connors 8. You Are My Starship - (featuring Marion Meadows/Michael Henderson/Peabo Bryson) ~ Norman Connors 9. Shades Of Brown - (featuring Michael Brown/Norman Brown) ~ Norman Connors 10. I Waited All My Life For You - (featuring Juanita Daley) ~ Norman Connors 11. Star Power - (featuring Kirk Wilson) ~ Norman Connors 12. Reach For The Sky - (featuring Terrell Carter) ~ Norman Connors 13. Thinkin' - (featuring Chanj) ~ Norman Connors 14. Adore (I Love You) - (featuring Paul Jackson, Jr./Lisa Nobumoto) ~ Norman Connors   Album Notes and Credits Notes & Personnel Info This perfectly titled disc featuring many of the most indelible names in R&B and the classic quiet storm format fits in perfectly with Shanachie Records' urban jazz aesthetic, which has included many all-star tribute albums amidst the solo recordings by its diverse roster. But rather than dub this a valentine to mostly classic R&B songs with a few new tracks created in its spirit, it's actually a more personal reflection by superstar R&B/jazz drummer/producer Connors, whose vast r?sum? as an artist and presence behind the boards (and skins) over the years has netted him an incredible Rolodex. Like Quincy Jones crafting a loving look back at where his chosen genre has been and where it's going, Connors oversees amazingly rendered, sweet and sensuous sessions with Peabo Bryson ("You Are My Starship"), Howard Hewett (a duet with Antoinette Manganas on her sultry ballad "Where Do We Go from Here"), singer Christopher Williams ("Used to Be"), Norman Brown (the lush instrumental "Shades of Brown"), Bobby Lyle, Ray Parker, Jr. (guitar crackling on "Rock with You"), et al. While he contributes drums and percussion on a few tracks, Connors is mostly the executive here, arranging and producing his way through the landscape of magical quiet storm soul. It's an album of mostly old hits redone in a contemporary urban groove style, finding new life in famed hits like Sade's "The Sweetest Taboo" and "Walk on By," but the real heart and soul here for Connors is the Bryson-charmed redux of "You Are My Starship," a 1976 chart-topping track he produced for Michael Henderson that became something of a genre anthem and was later sampled by LL Cool J and Snoop Dogg. Adding emotional weight to the track is a tender sax solo by Marion Meadows. There's a lot of Star Power here just as the title promises, but Connors holds it all together and keeps the egos in check with style and cool to spare. ~ Jonathan Widran Producer: Danny Weiss; Norman Connors Musical Guests Christopher Williams Bobby Lyle Howard Hewett Antoinette Kirk Wilson Ray Parker, Jr. Danny Boy Danny Lerman Herman Jackson Marion Meadows Michael Henderson Peabo Bryson Michael Brown Norman Brown Juanita Daley Terrell Carter Chanj Lisa No   Compilation Appearances Loving You Losing You Legacy Of Phyllis Hyman Love Serenade Vol. 2-Classic Soul Hits Soul Classics Vol.2 Ultimate Phyllis Hyman Choice: Collection Of Classics Mastercuts Mellow Gold:quiet Storm Soul Hits Maiden Voyage Body & Soul: Love Serenade [Platinum Edition] Bridge Into The New Age   Associated Artists and Works Aquarian Dream   Technical Info Release Date : 2009 Original Release Date : 2009 Catalog ID : Shanachie 51 Label : Shanachie Records Number of Discs : 1 Studio/Live : Studio Mono/Stereo : Stereo SPAR Code : n/a UPC : 00016351517128   Professional Reviews JazzTimes (p.86) - "[T]ight, New Jack-style R&B songs with fresh-on-the-scene vocalists....Connors, a drummer and producer, calls on old-schooler Christopher Williams for 'Used to Be,' the best vocal tune of the bunch."    Related Videos Randy Jackson: Randy Jack...