Vocalist Philip Bailey's high-flying falsetto made Earth, Wind & Fire an immortal supergroup. On this CD, he's backed by a streamlined combo featuring saxophonist Bob Belden, keyboardists Scott Kinsey and Myron McKinle... more »y, and remixer DJ Smash. Nine of the 11 tracks are updated classic jazz, pop, and R&B/fusion-tinged tunes, from Nat "King" Cole's "Nature Boy" to Freddie Hubbard's "On the Red Clay." Thelonious Monk's "Ruby My Dear" is revived as a quiet-storm ballad, "Dear Ruby." "My Indiscretions," Bailey's take on the funky, futuristic Weather Report jam, "Indiscretions," features catchy lyrics by the singer's son, Sir Bailey. Chick Corea's "Sometime Ago" is turned into a club-friendly dance number, while Herbie Hancock's "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" is retouched with Afro-Latin tinges. The church-inspired EW&F hit, "Keep Your Head to the Sky," is rendered with hip-hop-styled rim shots. Philip Bailey's vocalisms show that Soul on Jazz does mix. --Eugene Holley Jr.« less
Vocalist Philip Bailey's high-flying falsetto made Earth, Wind & Fire an immortal supergroup. On this CD, he's backed by a streamlined combo featuring saxophonist Bob Belden, keyboardists Scott Kinsey and Myron McKinley, and remixer DJ Smash. Nine of the 11 tracks are updated classic jazz, pop, and R&B/fusion-tinged tunes, from Nat "King" Cole's "Nature Boy" to Freddie Hubbard's "On the Red Clay." Thelonious Monk's "Ruby My Dear" is revived as a quiet-storm ballad, "Dear Ruby." "My Indiscretions," Bailey's take on the funky, futuristic Weather Report jam, "Indiscretions," features catchy lyrics by the singer's son, Sir Bailey. Chick Corea's "Sometime Ago" is turned into a club-friendly dance number, while Herbie Hancock's "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" is retouched with Afro-Latin tinges. The church-inspired EW&F hit, "Keep Your Head to the Sky," is rendered with hip-hop-styled rim shots. Philip Bailey's vocalisms show that Soul on Jazz does mix. --Eugene Holley Jr.
"So to say, Philip Bailey is one of the greatest talent voice singers ever since forming the group of today along w/ co-founder Maurice White and others as Earth, Wind & Fire. I'm blessed I have this. 'Cuz Philip can sing your heart when he's singing. He can do it everything- jazz, blues, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, etc. all right here on 1 disc. I recommend u checkout the rest of his other albums as well. 'Cuz 1 thing I had in mind that he is a devotee to all different types of music incl. the legendary Miles Davis which I read off the cover of this CD. All the songs are outstanding and mostly a good album to have if u luv Miles, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, John Coltrane, Grover Washington, among others. Deeply a Must."
Smoothly superb
Ronald Rainge | 04/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is my opinion that Philip is at his best with the elements, better known as EWF. But this CD is the very next best thing. It's funky, it's smooth, it's lyrical. He has a beautiful voice and this CD showcases his versatility. My favorite is Nature Boy, but this is one CD you don't have to skip any songs on. I highly recommend it!"
Ronald Rainge raingeart1
Ronald Rainge | 04/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great music to drive to why songs like unrestrained,mercy,mercy and red clay don't get airplay is strange to me. I'm going to spread the word to some of the people who play smooth jazz more people should know about this cd It's that good."