Known in the music industry as the "Babyface of Smooth Jazz" due to his enormous success as a top-ranked producer/composer/arranger/engineer for some of contemporary jazz's most recognized talent,
Paul Brown steps
Up Front with his debut for GRP Records. The Grammy award-winning producer, who has had over 38 Number One hits on the smooth jazz charts offers his solo perspective with special guests
Rick Braun,
Boney James,
Chuck Loeb,
Jeff Lorber, and
Peter White. Additional production from
Jeff Carruthers,
Jerry Hey, and many others support the style-guru's interpretations that listeners have come to appreciate.
Brown's vocals and smooth jazz guitar offer listeners a winning combination of original songs and great covers that have style, control, that excellent smooth jazz pitch, and a wonderful sense of rhythm. With "Wes Coast Swing," you'll hear
Brown with
Jeff Lorber on vibraphone playing a breezy blend of shimmery vibes/keyboards and swinging guitar.
Brown changes the mood with "My Funny Valentine," and offers a beautiful duet with
Peter White, who's playing nylon-string guitar over a percolating Latinesque backbeat. "Phat City," one of two songs co-written with
Jeff Carruthers, gives you a soulful, head bobbing, multi-hued feeling. This song features the dynamic
Boney James on saxophone doing what he does best. But the writers do a 360 degree turn with their radio hit "24/7," that features the cool muted trumpet of
Rick Braun, and more than one reason to head to the dancefloor. "Dear Ndugu," is a quiet ballad and obvious tribute to the great drummer and educator Ndugu Chancler. The set closes with the
Van Morrison hit "Moondance," and
Paul Brown gives it that same enduring smooth jazz essence, with right-on vocals and superb guitar magic. With
Up Front,
Paul Brown gives listeners 12 excellent reasons to add this to their contemporary jazz collection. ~ Paula Edelstein