Brian Mcknight | BETHLEHEM | CD

Personnel includes: Brian McKnight (vocals, various instruments); Michael Sembello (vocals, guitar); Claude McKnight, Fred McKnight, Michael McKnight, Tim Miner, Julie McKnight (vocals); Bill Meyers (conductor, keyboard & drum programming); Derrick Cummings (guitar); Bruce Dukov, Jackie Brand, Susan Chatman (violin); Bob Becker (viola); Larry Corbett (cello); Tollak Ollested (harmonica); Daniel Higgins (alto flute); Dave Koz (saxophone); Robert Lewis (Hammond B-3 organ); Chris Hanulik (acoustic bass); Carl Carter (bass); Prescott Ellison (drums); Anthony Nance (drum programming); Kameka Britton, Kellye Britton, Lawrence Britton, Ava Crump (background vocals).
Boyz II Men: Michael McCary, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman (vocals).
Producers: Brian McKnight, Wanya Morris, Bruce Carbone.
Personnel: Brian McKnight (vocals, background vocals); Michael Sembello (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Mike McKnight (vocals, vibraphone); Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris (vocals, background vocals); Claude McKnight, Fred McKnight, Michael McCary, Tim Miner (vocals); John Wittenberg, Edmund Stein, Michele Richards, Mario de Le?n, Bob Peterson, Robert Gerry, Charles Everett, Joel Derouin, Jacqueline Brand , Bruce Dukov, Peter Kent, Brian Leonard, David Stenske, Michael Markman, Susan Chatman, Ronald Clark, Haim Shtrum (violin); Matthew Funes , Peter Hatch, Maria Newman, Bob Becker (viola); Rudy Stein, Tina Soule, Daniel Smith, Suzie Katayama, Larry Corbett, Dane Little, Steve Richards , Stefanie Fife (cello); Dan Higgins (alto flute, clarinet); Tollak Ollestad (harmonica); Dave Koz (saxophone); Phillip Yao , Richard Todd (French horn); Bill Meyers (Fender Rhodes piano); Jimi Randolph (synthesizer, programming, drum programming); Carl Carter (bass guitar); Anthony Nance (drum programming); Daddy , Niko (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Dave Pensado.
Recording information: Andora Studios, Studio City, CA; Backroom Studios, Glendale, CA; Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, CA.
Photographer: Michael Lavine.
Arrangers: Fred Willis, Jr.; Fred Willis; Brian McKnight.
R&B crooner Brian McKnight lends his usual smooth vocal style to some solid Christmas material. Though BETHLEHEM is his fourth full-length album, it is his first collection of holiday songs. Joining McKnight on this special seasonal release are a host of collaborators including Boyz II Men ("Let It Snow '98"), Mrs. Nat King Cole ("Silent Night") and Michael Sembello ("Bethlehem Tonight"). Opening the album with "Hail Mary," the McKnight Family Choir makes a stunning appearance. In a further bit of nepotism, McKnight's sons BJ and Niko appear on the heart-warming track, "It's All About Love." A sure "do-not-miss" for McKnight fans, but also something to check out for anyone with a preference for smooth pop/R&B vocalists.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Christmas / Chanukkah
• Genre: Holiday
• Released: 10/20/1998