',Nard [Japan version]

Jazz / Rhythm & Blues, Urban, FusionAlvin Flythe Rap, Horn, Vocals, Handclapping, Arranger, Soloist, Sax (Tenor), Vocals (Background)Bernard Wright Clavinet, Arranger, Rap, Piano (Electric), Vocals (Background), Piano, Melodica, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes, Vocals, SynthesizerBobby Broom Guitar (Electric)Bobby Floyd VocalsBuddy Williams DrumsCharley Drayton Handclapping, Vocals (Background), DrumsCrusher Bennett PercussionDave Grusin Liner Notes, Mixing, Producer, Fender Rhodes, SynthesizerDennis Chambers Handclapping, DrumsDon Blackman Vocals (Background), Piano, Vocals, Fender Rhodes, ArrangerDonn Davenport Art DirectionEd Jackson HornHoward Fritzson DesignHoward Grate DrumsHui Wang StylistJimmy Owens HornJohn Ford PhotographyKevin Oliver Guitar (Electric), HandclappingKurt Smith HandclappingLarry Rosen Liner Notes, Engineer, Mixing, ProducerLuther Vandross Vocals (Background)Marcus Miller Arranger, Handclapping, Bass (Electric)Mike Flythe Rap, Drums, Handclapping, VocalsOllie Cotton Engineer, Mixing Assistant, Assistant EngineerPatti Austin Vocals (Background)Patty Evans Make-UpPeter Lopez Production CoordinationRick Matthews Handclapping, RapRon Miller Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Synthesizer), Piano (Electric)Roy Haynes DrumsSherry Snyder Vocals (Background), HandclappingTamara Matthews HandclappingTed Jensen MasteringWebster McKnight Hair StylistLike Tom Browne and Lenny WhiteTwennynine, Bernard Wright was part of Jamaica, Queens" R&B/funk scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s, which gave us such major hits as Twennynine"s "Peanut Butter" and Browne"s "Funkin" for Jamaica." Browne and White were both talented jazz musicians, but R&B/funk was their main focus at that time. Similarly, keyboardist/pianist Wright occasionally flirts with instrumental jazz on his debut album, "Nard, but pays a lot more attention to vocal-oriented soul and funk. The only instrumentals on this out-of-print LP are the jazz-funk smoker "Firebolt Hustle," the Rodney Franklin-ish "Bread Sandwiches," and a relaxed interpretation of Miles Davis" "Solar," which finds Wright forming an acoustic piano trio with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Roy Haynes. Otherwise, this is an R&B album that is defined by such impressive funk as "Spinnin"," "Master Rocker," and the goofy but wildly infectious "Haboglabotribin"." Recorded when the keyboardist/pianist was only 16, "Nard was expected to be a big hit, but surprisingly, didn"t fare as well as albums by Browne and White. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide Bernard WrightActive Decade: "80sBorn: 1963 in Miami, FLGenre: JazzStyles: Adult Contemporary R&B, Crossover Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Post-Bop, UrbanKeyboardist Bernard Wright seemed like a coming fusion and urban star when he toured with Lenny White at 13 and played with Tom Browne in 1979. He got such strong response that he was signed to GRP in 1981. But the LP "Nard stalled, though there was good reaction among R&B and fusion fans to the single "Just Chillin" Out." It was followed by Funky Beat for Arista and Mr. Wright for ManhattanEMI. Wright also co-wrote and sang with La La on "We"ll Keep Strivin." He has recorded with Cameo, Bobby Brown, Pieces of a Dream, and Charles Earland, among others. ---Ron Wynn, All Music Guide