This first pairing of R&B song stylist Downing with soulful sax man Albright is nothing short of inspired, providing two of the '80s' most popular performers with a chance to showcase their jazz chops. Pleasures of the... more » Night also gives Downing--best known for his stellar work on albums like A Dream Fulfilled and Love's the Place to Be--some respite from the drive for chart hits evident on his last few albums for Mercury. His velvetlike baritone is perfectly suited to the diverse range of material, which includes the Beatles' "Michelle," Stevie Wonder's "Girl Blue," and standards like "The Nearness of You" and "Here's That Rainy Day." Albright gets plenty of room to shine with deft but subtle musical nuances on the Bacharach-David classic "The Look of Love" and the Stylistics' "Stop, Look, Listen" and is at his peak on the out-and-out jazz-oriented instrumental "Back to the Roots." Produced by longtime Downing collaborator Ronnie Foster, the album's guest stars include top players like Patrice Rushen and Bobby Lyle on keyboards, Paul Jackson on guitar, Abe Laboriel on bass, and Harvey Mason on drums. A significant creative departure for Downing, Pleasures of the Night promises a whole new career chapter for the Brooklyn-born vocalist: traditional R&B's temporary loss may represent a permanent gain for the world of contemporary jazz, which desperately needs some new male-vocal blood. --David Nathan« less
This first pairing of R&B song stylist Downing with soulful sax man Albright is nothing short of inspired, providing two of the '80s' most popular performers with a chance to showcase their jazz chops. Pleasures of the Night also gives Downing--best known for his stellar work on albums like A Dream Fulfilled and Love's the Place to Be--some respite from the drive for chart hits evident on his last few albums for Mercury. His velvetlike baritone is perfectly suited to the diverse range of material, which includes the Beatles' "Michelle," Stevie Wonder's "Girl Blue," and standards like "The Nearness of You" and "Here's That Rainy Day." Albright gets plenty of room to shine with deft but subtle musical nuances on the Bacharach-David classic "The Look of Love" and the Stylistics' "Stop, Look, Listen" and is at his peak on the out-and-out jazz-oriented instrumental "Back to the Roots." Produced by longtime Downing collaborator Ronnie Foster, the album's guest stars include top players like Patrice Rushen and Bobby Lyle on keyboards, Paul Jackson on guitar, Abe Laboriel on bass, and Harvey Mason on drums. A significant creative departure for Downing, Pleasures of the Night promises a whole new career chapter for the Brooklyn-born vocalist: traditional R&B's temporary loss may represent a permanent gain for the world of contemporary jazz, which desperately needs some new male-vocal blood. --David Nathan
"Iv'e had this album for a while, and i never get tired of it. Beware, if you dont want any babies, dont play this cd for that "special night" with the wife or husband. even the damn intro will get you in the mood. i have never enjoyed a cd quite as much as this one.
The stylistic's cover "stop, look, and listen," is quite impressive, while "here's that rainy day" will put you into a trance from the first 5 seconds
the only problem that i have with it is that it is too short........"
BODY LAXING
ANNQUENETTE WARE | ATLANTA, GA | 02/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"THIS CD HAS TWO TALENTED ARTIST (WILL DOWNINGS/GERALD ALBRIGHT)THEY COULD'NT HAVE GONE WRONG. I HAVE TURNED SEVERAL PEOPLE ON TO THIS CD, FOR MORE THAN ONE REASON. FIRST IF YOU ARE THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT LIKE EASY LISTENING, SMOOTH PASSIONATE SOUNDS,A SAX FAN YOU WILL LOVE THIS CD. IT PUTS YOU IN THE MOOD FOR WHATEVER, (I MEAN WHATEVER). I CAN'T PUT ON A MORE RELAXING CD TO SLEEP, DANCE, OR WHATEVER TO, SO BUY THIS CD TODAY! I PLAN TO STAY ON TOP OF GERALD ALBRIGHT EVEN HEAVIER THAN BEFORE, BECAUSE HE IS SMOOTH, NOT TOO ALARMING WITH HIS NOTES, BUT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR WHEN YOU WANT TO HEAR IT. SOME SAX PLAYERS ARE TO BLUNT WITH THEIR SOUNDS IT TO OVERWHELMING, BUT IN THIS CD HE DISPLAY ATTENTION CATCHING, SOUL REACHING, MIND SCAMBLING SOUNDS. A JAZZ LOVER."
Soft and Warm Quiet Storm Masterpiece
James A. Allio | Oakland, CA USA | 12/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Quickly recorded and quietly released in 1998, this sensational collaboration between one of the premiere contemporary male vocalists of our time, the inimitable Will Downing, and jazz fusion sax giant, Gerald Albright, is simply one of the best jazz-r&b recordings of the 90s. From the sensuous mood-setting title song opener, penned by the artists themselves, to the sizzling Albright instrumental, "Back to the Roots," this is one CD that does not let up for a second. Plus it's a chance to catch Will wrapping his gruff velvet vocal cords around a plethora of creamy standards that are ideally suited to his ultra-romantic stylings: "The Look of Love," "Here's That Rainy Day," Stevie Wonder's often overlooked "Girl Blue," The Stylistics' "Stop Look Listen" (re-imagined as a silky slow burn groover), The Beatles' "Michelle," "The Nearness of You" and more. This is essential listening for fans of the artists and represents the ultimate masterpiece to date of the Quiet Storm format."
Candles, Romance, & Pure Passion
E. B. Hopkins | Seattle, WA | 05/31/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD needs to come with a warning! From the first song through the 10th, it never unwraps you from the hold it has on your heart. I am VERY impressed. From relaxing with my wife on a cold winter's night, to reading a book by the fire, this is the COMPLETE CD. I can't choose a favorite on this CD because they all rate as top shelf. You couldn't have put two finer artists together to make an album, and the people that are backing Will and Gerald up are KNOWN stars as well. Harvey Mason from FOURPLAY. PATRICE RUSHEN on acoustic piano, and the great Paul Jackson on guitar..even I would sound good backed up by these giants! VERY IMPRESSIVE CD, I would say a MUST for that evening where you're in the romantic mood with the one you love, OR for the night where you've messed up and NEED some additional support. You never know what could happen by sunrise....10 Stars!"