Tag Archives: Chris Botti

The Brecker Brothers: Out of the Loop

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On September 30, 1994, “GRP” label released “Out of the Loop”, the seventh and final Brecker Brothers (The) album. It was recorded April – August 1992, and was produced by George Whitty, Maz Kessler and Robbie Kilgore. In 1995 the album won two “Grammy Awards” – “Best Contemporary Jazz Performance” and “Best Instrumental Composition”.

Personnel:

  • Michael Brecker – soprano and tenor saxophone, Akai EWI, arrangements
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet, flugelhorn, arrangements
  • George Whitty – keyboards, Hammond organ bass, acoustic piano, keyboard programming, arrangements
  • Chris Botti – keyboard programming, bass and drum programming, arrangements
  • Andy Snitzer – keyboard programming, bass and drum programming, arrangements
  • Maz Kessler – keyboards, rhythm programming, arrangements
  • Robbie Kilgore – guitars, keyboards, rhythm programming, arrangements
  • Eliane Elias – vocals, keyboards, vocals, arrangements
  • Dean Brown – guitars, electric guitar
  • Larry Saltzman – guitars
  • James Genus – bass, acoustic bass
  • Armand Sabal-Lecco – bass, acoustic piccolo bass
  • Steve Jordan – drums
  • Shawn Pelton – drums
  • Rodney Holmes – drums
  • Steve Thornton – percussion
  • Mark Ledford – additional backing vocals
  • James Farber – recording, mixing
  • George Whitty – additional recording
  • Chris Botti – additional recording
  • Andy Snitzer – additional recording
  • Rich Lamb – additional recording
  • Maz Kessler – mixing, additional recording
  • Robbie Kilgore – mixing, additional recording
  • “Q” Engstrom – mixing
  • Scott Hull – mastering
  • Elaine Elias – editing
  • Ron Bach – editing engineer
  • Hiro Ishihara – engineer assistant
  • Chris Albert – mixing assistant
  • Scott Austin – mixing assistant
  • Rory Romano – mixing assistant
  • Robert Smith – mixing assistant
  • Joseph Doughney – post-production engineer
  • Michael Landy – post-production engineer
  • Cara Bridgins – production coordinator
  • Joseph Moore – assistant production coordinator
  • Sonny Mediana – production director, art direction
  • Andy Baltimore – creative director
  • Darryl Pitt – cover concept
  • Laurie Goldman – design
  • Matt Zumbo – front cover illustration
  • Kim Steele – back cover photography
  • Dave Grusin – executive producer
  • Larry Rosen – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Slang – Michael Brecker
  2. Evocations – Chris Botti, Michael Brecker
  3. Scrunch – Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Maz Kessler, Robbie Kilgore
  4. Secret Heart – Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias
  5. African Skies – Michael Brecker
  6. When It Was – Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Maz Kessler, Robbie Kilgore
  7. Harpoon – Randy Brecker
  8. The Nightwalker – Michael Brecker
  9. And Then She Wept – Randy Brecker

Nathalie Merchant: Ophelia

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On May 19, 1998, “Elektra” label released “Ophelia”, the second Natalie Merchant studio album. It was recorded July 1996 – May 1997, at “Talking Dwarf Studios” in Little Valley, New York, “AIR Studios” in London, and was produced by Natalie Merchant.

Personnel:

  • Natalie Merchant – vocals, piano
  • Ken Appollo – organ
  • Craig Ross – acoustic guitar 
  • Karin Peris – acoustic guitar 
  • Lokua Kanza – acoustic guitar
  • Craig Ross – electric guitar
  • Daniel Lanois – electric guitar
  • Don Peris – electric guitar
  • Donnie Ward – electric guitar
  • Todd Vos – electric guitar
  • Graham Maby – bass
  • Jay Brunga – acoustic bass
  • Peter Yanowitz – drums
  • Joakim Lartey – percussion
  • Chris Botti – trumpet
  • Tom Varner – French horn
  • Hector Falcon – violin 
  • Kristof Witek – violin
  • Conroy Kuo – viola 
  • Ralph Farris – viola
  • Garo Yellin – cello 
  • Michelle Kinney – cello
  • Karin Peris – vocals
  • N’Dea Davenport – vocals
  • Karl Berger – string arrangements, conductor
  • John Holbrook – engineer
  • Rupert Coulso – engineer
  • Todd Vos – engineer
  • Ricky Graham – engineer assistant
  • Jim Scott – mixing
  • Mike Scotella – mixing assistant
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Yungchen Lhamo – translation from Tibetan

Track listing:

All tracks by Natalie Merchant.

  1. Ophelia
  2. Life is Sweet
  3. Kind & Generous
  4. Frozen Charlotte
  5. My Skin
  6. Break Your Heart
  7. King of May
  8. Thick as Thieves
  9. Effigy
  10. The Living
  11. When They Ring the Golden Bells 

Chris Botti: First Wish

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On February 28, 1995, “Verve Forecast Records” label released “First Wish”, the debut Chris Botti album. It was recorded in 1994, at “Bearsville Studios” in Bearsville, New York, “AGF Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Chris Botti, Kevin Killen and Andy Snitzer.

Personnel:

  • Chris Botti – trumpet, keyboards, tambourine, acoustic piano, programming
  • Paul Joseph Moore – keyboards, acoustic piano, Omnichord
  • Andy Snitzer – Rhodes, programming
  • Mitchell Froom – Wurlitzer electric piano, organ
  • Kevin Killen – Omnichord
  • Larry Saltzman – guitars
  • Shane Fontayne – guitars
  • Paul Livant – guitars
  • Marc Shulman – guitars
  • Dominic Kanza – guitars
  • Pino Palladino – bass
  • Steve Ferrone – drums
  • Jerry Marotta – drums
  • Joe Bonadio – percussion
  • Cyro Baptista – surdo, shaker
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Sandra Park – violin
  • Rebecca Young – violin
  • Morris Goldberg – African flutes
  • Edie Brickell – vocals
  • Kevin Killen – engineer, mixing
  • Andrew Page – additional recording
  • David Lau – art direction
  • Sheryl Lutz-Brown – art direction
  • Étsuko Iseki – design
  • Gary St. Clair – design
  • Brad Hitz – photography
  • Guy Eckstein – executive producer
  • Marc Silag – production coordinator

Track listing:

All tracks by Chris Botti, except where noted.

  1. Worlds Outside
  2. On the Night Ride
  3. First Wish
  4. Like I Do Now – Chris Botti, Edie Brickell, Paul Joseph Moore
  5. Cubism
  6. Through Tin Hearts
  7. Longing
  8. Nerve Central
  9. Fade to Day
  10. A Few More Days, A Few More Weeks

George Benson & Al Jarreau: Givin’ It Up

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On October 24, 2006, “Concord” label released “Givin’ It Up”, an album by Al Jarreau and George Benson. It was recorded in April 2006, at “Henson Recording Studios”, “NRG Studios”, and “Capitol Studios” in Hollywood; “G Studio Digital” in Studio City, CA; “LAFX Studios”, “The Pass”, “Willyworld”, and “Revelation Studios” in Los Angeles; “White Lightning Studios” in Sylmar, CA; “Porcupine Studios” in Chandler, AZ; “The B Hive” in Phoenix, AZ; “East Bay Studios” in Tarrytown, NY, and was produced by John Burk, Michael Broening, Marcus Miller, Patti Austin, Freddie Ravel, Larry Williams and Chris Dunn. In 2007, the album won “Grammy Award” for “Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance” (Al Jarreau), and “Best Pop Instrumental Performance” (George Benson).

Personnel:

  • George Benson – lead and backing vocals, guitar, arrangements
  • Al Jarreau – lead and backing vocals, vocal percussion, arrangements
  • Paul McCartney – lead vocals
  • Ray Fuller – guitar
  • Dean Parks – guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Freddie Fox – guitar
  • Michael O’Neill – rhythm guitar
  • Michael Thompson – guitar
  • Larry Williams – keyboards, acoustic piano, arrangements
  • Michael Broening – keyboards, organ, programming, arrangements, organ
  • Herbie Hancock – acoustic piano
  • Patrice Rushen – keyboards, Fender Rhodes, acoustic piano, arrangements
  • Rex Rideout – acoustic piano, arrangements
  • Barry Eastmond – keyboards, arrangements
  • Freddie Ravel – Fender Rhodes, clavinet, organ, synthesizer, Moog bass, drums, percussion programming, arrangements, BGV arrangements
  • Joe Turano – Wurlitzer, Hammond B3 organ, arrangements
  • Randy Waldman – acoustic piano, arrangements
  • Abraham Laboriel – electric bass
  • Mel Brown – bass guitar
  • Marcus Miller – bass guitar, arrangements
  • Stanley Clarke – bass guitar
  • Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
  • Michael White – drums
  • Gregg Field – drums
  • Ricky Lawson – drums
  • Paulinho Da Costa – percussion
  • Bashiri Johnson – percussion
  • Marion Meadows – saxophone
  • Chris Botti – trumpet
  • John Burk – arrangements
  • Jill Scott – lead vocals
  • Patti Austin – lead and backing vocals, BGV arrangements
  • Maxi Anderson – backing vocals
  • Valerie Pinkston – backing vocals
  • Sharon Perry – backing vocals
  • Darlene Perry – backing vocals
  • Lorraine Perry – backing vocals
  • Sandra Simmons Williams – backing vocals
  • De’Ante Duckett – backing vocals
  • Alethea Mills – backing vocals
  • Chavonne Morris – backing vocals
  • Fred Martin – BGV arrangements
  • Michael Broening, Myron Chandler, Jeff Harris, Don Murray, Charlie Paakkari, Seth Presan, Bill Smith – recording engineer
  • Kevin Becka, Barry Eastmond, Eric Ferguson, Carlos Martinez, Dennis Moody, John Wroble – additional engineering
  • Phillip Broussard, Keith Gretlein, Casey Lewis, Paul Smith – engineer assistant
  • Seth Presant, Bill Smith, German Villacorta – Pro Tools engineer, editing
  • Alex Pavlides – additional Pro Tools engineer
  • Al Schmitt – mixing
  • Steve Genewick – mixing assistant
  • Doug Sax, Sangwook Nam – mastering
  • Abbey Anna – art direction
  • Andrew Pham – art direction, design
  • Randee St. Nicholas – photography
  • Barry Eastmond, Gregg Field – additional production
  • Glen Barros, Kevin Lee, Noel Lee – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Breezin’ – Bobby Womack, Al Jarreau
  2. Mornin’ – Al jarreau, David Foster, Jay Graydon
  3. Long Come Tutu – Marcus Miller, Al Jarreau
  4. God Bless the Child – Billie Holliday, Arthur Herzog Jr.
  5. Summer Breeze – Jim Seals, Dash Crofts
  6. All I Am – Rex Rideout, Phillip “Taj” Jackson
  7. Ordinary People – John Legend, will.i.am
  8. Let It Rain – Barry Eastmond, Al Jarreau
  9. Givin’ It Up for Love – Freddie Ravel, Al Jarreau
  10. Every Time You Go Away – Daryl Hall
  11. Four – Miles Davis, Jon Hendricks
  12. Don’t Start No Schtuff – Joe Turano, Al Jarreau
  13. Bring It On Home to Me – Sam Cooke

Jeff Lorber: He Had a Hat

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On April 3, 2007, “Blue Note” label released “He Had a Hat”, the twelve Jeff Lorber album. It was recorded 2006 – 2007 and was produced by Bobby Colomby.

Personnel:

  • Jeff Lorber– piano, keyboards
  • Paul Jackson Jr.– guitar
  • Paul Brown– guitar
  • Russell Malone– guitar
  • Brian Bromberg– bass
  • Alex Al– bass
  • Abe Laboriel Jr.– drums
  • Dave Weckl– drums
  • Vinnie Colaiuta– drums
  • Lenny Castro– percussion
  • Eric Benet– vocals
  • Paula Cole– vocals
  • Gerald Albright – alto saxophone
  • Bob Sheppard– tenor saxophone
  • Kirk Whalum– tenor saxophone
  • Ada Rovatti– tenor saxophone
  • Tom Timko– tenor saxophone
  • Blood, Sweat & Tears– horns
  • Steve Jankowski– trumpet
  • Hernan Mulet– trumpet
  • Jens Wendelboe– bass and tenor trombone
  • The Lair Studio Brass Ensemble
  • The Krim Symphonic Orchestra– Orchestrated by Jeremy Lubbock
  • Chris Botti– trumpet
  • Randy Brecker– trumpet, horn arrangement
  • Jacques Voyemant– trombone
  • Tom Scott– horns, horn arrangement
  • Hubert Laws– flute

Track listing:

All tracks by Jeff Lorber, except where noted.

  1. Anthem For a New America
  2. He Had a Hat
  3. Grandma’s Hands  – Bill Withers
  4. Surreptitious
  5. All Most Blues
  6. Orchid
  7. BC Bop
  8. The Other Side of the Heart
  9. Hudson
  10. Super Fusion Unit
  11. Eye Tunes
  12. Requiem For Gandalf
  13. Burn Brightly
  14. Deep Night – bonus track

Aretha Franklin: Through the Storm

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On April 27, 1989, “Arista” label released “Through the Storm”, the thirty-second Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded in 1988, and was produced by Narada Michael Walden, Walter Afanasieff, Arif Mardin, Joe Mardin and Aretha Franklin.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin– lead and backing vocals, piano, vocal engineer
  • James Brown – lead vocals
  • Elton John– lead vocals
  • Four Tops– lead and backing vocals
  • Whitney Houston– lead vocals
  • Corrado Rustici – guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Steve Khan– guitar
  • Reggie Griffin – guitar
  • David Paich– piano
  • David Foster– piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizer
  • Walter Afanasieff– keyboards, synthesizer, programming
  • Aaron Zigman– keyboards, bass vocals
  • Ren Klyce– additional keyboards, programming
  • Robbie Kondor – synthesizer, piano
  • Louis Johnson– bass guitar
  • Jerry Knight – bass guitar
  • Jeff Porcaro– drums
  • John Robinson– drums
  • Yogi Horton– drums
  • Sammy Merendino – electronic drums
  • Narada Michael Walden– electronic drums, sequencer, synthesizer, arrangements
  • Steve Kroon – percussion
  • George Devens – percussion
  • Greg Gigi Gonaway– cymbal
  • Kenny G– saxophone
  • Marc Russo– saxophone
  • Andy Snitzer – tenor saxophone
  • Kenneth Hitchcock – baritone saxophone
  • Kent Smith – trumpet
  • Chris Botti– trumpet
  • Mike Davis – trombone
  • Liz Jackson – backing vocals
  • Skyler Jett – backing vocals
  • Melisa Kary – backing vocals
  • Brenda Corbett – backing vocals
  • Edie Lehman – backing vocals
  • Marti McCall – backing vocals
  • Claytoven Richardson– backing vocals
  • Kitty Beethoven – backing vocals
  • Margaret Branch – backing vocals
  • Siedah Garrett– backing vocals
  • “Bongo” Bob Smith – programming
  • Arif Mardin– arrangements
  • Rod Hui – recording, mixing
  • Mike Lacopelli – recording, vocal recording
  • Lincoln Clapp – engineer
  • David Frazer – engineer
  • Darren Klein – engineer, mixing
  • Joe Mardin– programming, sequencer, recording, mixing
  • Peter Max – front and back cover art
  • Marlene Cohen – art direction
  • Norman Parkinson – photography

Track listing:

  1. Gimme Your Love – Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen
  2. Mercy – Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard
  3. He’s the Boy – Aretha Franklin
  4. It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  5. Through the Storm – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  6. Think (1989) – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  7. Come to Me – Willard Eugene Price
  8. If Ever a Love There Was – Pamela Phillips Oland, Todd Cerney

Scritti Politti: Provision

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In June 1988, “Virgin” label released “Provision”, the third Scritti Politti album. It recorded 1987–1988 at “Minot Sound” in Atlantic, “Hit Factory”, “Right Track”, “Sorcerer Sound” in New York; “Britannia Row”, “AIR, Townhouse”, “Sarm West”, “Swan Yard” in London, and was produced by Green Gartside, David Gamson and John Potoker.

Personnel:

  • Green Gartside– vocals
  • David Gamson– Yamaha DX7, Yamaha TX816, Yamaha QX1, Oberheim Matrix 12, Sequential Circuits Prophet VS, Roland MKS-80, Roland MKS 50, synclavier
  • Dann Huff– guitar
  • Marcus Miller– bass
  • Fred Maher– drums, Oberheim DMX, LinnDrum
  • Bashiri Johnson– percussion
  • Nick Moroch – guitar
  • John Mahoney – synclavier
  • Raymond Niznik – synclavier
  • Jason Miles – keyboard programming
  • Miles Davis– trumpet
  • Chris Botti– trumpet
  • Joe Mennonna – saxophones
  • Andy Snitzer – saxophones
  • Kent Smith – horn
  • Mitch Corn – horn
  • Roger Troutman– talk box
  • Mark Stevens, B.J. Nelson, Fonzi Thornton, Tawatha Agee, Rory Dodd, Diva Gray, Yogi Lee, Eric Troyer– backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Green Gartside and David Gamson, except where noted.

  1. Boom! There She Was
  2. Overnite
  3. First Boy in This Town (Lovesick)
  4. All That We Are
  5. Best Thing Ever – Green Gartside, David Gamson, John Potoker
  6. Oh Patti (Don’t Feel Sorry for Loverboy)
  7. Bam Salute
  8. Sugar and Spice
  9. Philosophy Now

Aretha Franklin: Through the Storm

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In May 1989, “Arista” label released “Through the Storm”, the thirty-fifth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded in 1988, and was produced by Narada Michael Walden, Walter Afanasieff, Arif Mardin, Joe Mardin and Aretha Franklin.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin– lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano, vocals engineer
  • James Brown – lead vocals
  • Whitney Houston– lead vocals
  • Elton John– lead vocals
  • Four Tops– vocals
  • Reggie Griffin – guitar
  • Corrado Rustici – guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Steve Khan– guitar
  • Narada Michael Walden– Simmons drums, synthesizer, arrangements
  • Aaron Zigman– bass vocal, keyboards
  • David Foster– electric piano, synthesizer
  • Robbie Kondor – synthesizer, acoustic piano
  • David Paich– acoustic piano
  • Walter Afanasieff– keyboards, synth bass, drum programming
  • Ren Klyce– Fairlight CMI programming, additional keyboards
  • Louis Johnson– bass guitar
  • Jerry Knight – bass guitar
  • Yogi Horton– drums
  • Jeff Porcaro– drums
  • John Robinson– drums
  • George Devens – percussion
  • Steve Kroon – percussion
  • Greg “Gigi” Gonaway – cymbal
  • Marc Russo– saxophone solo
  • Kenny G– saxophone
  • Andy Snitzer – tenor saxophone
  • Kenneth Hitchcock – baritone saxophone
  • Chris Botti– trumpet
  • Kent Smith – trumpet
  • Mike Davis – trombone
  • Arif Mardin– arrangements
  • “Bongo” Bob Smith – drum programming
  • Sammy Merendino – additional drum samples
  • Joe Mardin – programming, sequencing, recording, mixing
  • Claytoven Richardson– backing vocals
  • Edie Lehman – backing vocals
  • Siedah Garrett– backing vocals
  • Kitty Beethoven – backing vocals
  • Margaret Branch – backing vocals
  • Brenda Corbett – backing vocals
  • Liz Jackson – backing vocals
  • Skyler Jett – backing vocals
  • Melisa Kary – backing vocals
  • Marti McCall – backing vocals
  • Rod Hui – recording, mixing
  • Mike Iacopelli – recording , vocal recording
  • Darren Klein – engineer, mixing
  • Lincoln Clapp – engineer
  • David Frazer – engineer
  • Marlene Cohen – art direction
  • Peter Max – cover art
  • Norman Parkinson – photography

Track listing:

  1. Gimme Your Love – Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen
  2. Mercy – Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard
  3. He’s the Boy – Aretha Franklin
  4. It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  5. Through the Storm – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  6. Think – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  7. Come to Me – Willard Eugene Price
  8. If Ever a Love There Was – Pamela Phillips Oland, Todd Cerney