Description
Recording information: Bass Hit Studios, New York, NY; CDS Studios, Wellingford, CT; Nite Flight Studio, Washington, D.C.; Saxstress Studios, Los Angeles, CA; TrodNossel, Wallingford, CT.
A dozen of the biggest ballads from soul greats Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, and Marvin Gaye receive plush re-workings from a cast of noted musicians, including saxophonist Kim Waters, guitarist Rhon Lawrence, and producer/multi-instrumentalist Chris "Big Dog" Davis, as well as vocalists Phil Perry and Nicki Richards. Three of the five Pendergrass selections are Gamble & Huff compositions, but one of the others -- "Love TKO," written by Cecil Womack, shines the most with Lawrence's guitar taking the lead. The Vandross picks -- "Here and Now," "So Amazing," and "If Only for One Night" -- are notable for not being obvious. Gaye, meanwhile, is paid tribute through equally relaxed versions of "You Sure Love to Ball" and two songs from the 1976 masterpiece I Want You ("After the Dance" and the title song). There's a sly nod to songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson; "Your Precious Love," a major hit for Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967, is followed with "Is It Still Good to Ya," covered by Pendergrass in 1980 (two years after the composers recorded it themselves). These versions couldn't possibly surpass the originals, of course, but they're reverent and pleasant. ~ Andy Kellman
- Format: CD
- Genre: Jazz
- Released: 2012-07-31