Search - Gerald Albright :: Sax for Stax

A stirring amalgam of jazz and R&B roots.

smoothjazz_views | Beverly Hills, CA | 07/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The smooth jazz saxophone Maestro Gerald Albright is no one-dimensional purveyor of musical wallpaper.

He has recorded seven successful solo albums for Atlantic when he wasn't busy, assisting an impressive roster of popular R&B artists. Some of the more well-known artists Albright assisted during his career include Anita Baker, Regina Belle, Quincy Jones, the Temptations, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, and many, many more.

His new release, his eleventh solo offering, "Sax For Stax" (Peak Records)) is a refreshing, well balanced authentic and innovative work which sets out to unashamedly do what it says on the packet!

Always a consistent upholder of authenticity and purity, he turns the soul music of Stax Records, the legendary Memphis-based recording company that defined southern soul from the late `50s to the mid '70s, into a soul stirring stew of down home rhythm and blues chased with a mason jar of jazz.

It is an amalgam of eight passionately rendered covers of Stax classics and some lesser known compositions, plus three originals written with Memphis in mind. It pays tribute to the legendary Memphis-based record label that defined Southern soul from the 1950s to the mid 1970s, coinciding with Concord Music Group's re-launching of the Stax label, and also Stax's 50th anniversary.

Co-produced by Rex Rideout, it features guest appearances from Earth Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey on "Whatcha See is Whatcha Get" (a 1971 hit by vocal quintet The Dramatics), Will Downing on "Never Can Say Goodbye" (a Top 5 hit for Isaac Hayes) and the R&B ubiquitous vocalist Ledisi, who duets with Albright on the Staple Singers classic "Respect Yourself".

While paying homage to some of the most celebrated R&B classics in history, Albright manages to put his own signature twist on each song, only further solidifying his position as one of the most respected and sought after saxophonists to straddle the fence of jazz and R&B.

"Memphis is a great city from which many great musicians have made tremendous contributions to music", Albright says.

"But the sax guru does more than simply toot out contemporary Muzak facsimiles of such classics as "Knock on Wood" and "Cheaper to Keep Her." Rhythmically intertwining his jazz and R&B roots within fresh, creative arrangements, Albright brings a welcome snap, crackle and pop to the proceedings.

Rounding out the album are three Memphis-vibed Albright compositions. As he navigates the project, Albright never loses sight of his mission: giving listeners real music they can also feel". --Gail Mitchell/Billboard

Every track highlights the true talent that Gerald Albright was blessed with.

It's rare you come across a disc that jams on every track, but I have to give it up, this jams from start to finish.

Well worth a listen.

New Beginnings"

So so

D. Ramseur | Gastonia, NC USA | 11/29/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Knock on wood was cool, as was Never Can Say Goodbye, I wish Will could have sung the song instead of just doing vocals. I also would have liked to have heard him cover Johnnie Taylor's I Believe In You, You Believe In Me and the Dramatics In The Rain. Enough covers, Gerald, except for the usual one or two you do on your studio albums. Speaking of covers, since you and Will seem to be pretty tight, how about getting him and Maysa Leak to cover the song Ain't Understanding Mellow by Jerry Butler and Brenda Lee Eager? Just a thought."