Jazz
Greg Adams - Arranger, Flugelhorn, Horn Arrangements, Keyboards, Producer, Trumpet
Gary Herbig - Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor)
Greg Dalton - Guitar
James Wirrick - Arranger, Bass, Drum Programming, Guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin, Producer, Synthesizer
Kelly Moneymaker - Vocals
Ken Kessie - Arranger, Drum Programming, Engineer, Guitar, Mixing, Producer
Marlon McClain - Bass, Drum Programming, Guitar, Producer
Nick Milo - Arranger, Bass, Drum Programming, Keyboards
* Steve Sherrard - Mastering
* Willie Kent - Photography
Seven years after releasing his 1995 solo debut, Hidden Agenda, the famed trumpeter's interpretation of Sade's classic "Smooth Operator" is still an airplay staple at smooth jazz radio. Adams took a break from his usual session schedule with a who's who of contemporary pop music to release this long anticipated follow-up on his own independent label, Ripa Records. The incredible smooth jazz airplay success of its first single, "Roadhouse," generated a buzz which culminated in the signing of Adams to Blue Note Records. The incredible listener reaction to the song is no surprise -- its soulful horn section, performed by Adams and versatile saxophonist Gary Herbig, is reminiscent of the legendary arrangements Adams created in his many years with Tower of Power. With its exciting blend of cool, sexy ambience, gentle jazz, and intense modern R&B rhythms, the disc is chock full of other, somewhat more restrained tunes more along the lines of "Smooth Operator." These include the ethereal ballad "Andrea" (inspired by Adams' wife) and the funky retro-soul-flavored title track. His own composing skills are strong, but he knows the enduring potential of great cover tracks, offering strong twists on Toni Braxton's "Breathe Again" and the Police's "Wrapped Around Your Finger."
---Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
Greg Adams
Active Decades: '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Soul, Urban, Jazz-Pop, Contemporary R&B, Pop-Soul
Once Greg Adams picked up a trumpet, his course was set. He earned the first trumpet chair as a freshman at his Bay Area high school, and was writing arrangements for various school ensembles by the time he was a junior. Following high school, he joined Tower of Power, and was soon taking a major role in crafting the group's distinctive horn sound. Adams' first solo record, 1995's Hidden Agenda, released on Epic Records, established him as a major architect of the emerging "smooth jazz" sound, and a single from the album, a cover of Sade's "Smooth Operator," remains a virtual template for the genre. His second album, Midnight Morning, was released on Adams' own label, Ripa Records, in 2002, and tracks like "Roadhouse" led to famed jazz label Blue Note picking up the record for distribution. Adams' muted trumpet style, a mix of gentle jazz with R&B rhythms, all done with a cool, sexy ambience, has made him a sought-after session player and arranger, and he has worked with countless artists, including Santana, Madonna, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, the Rolling Stones, Lyle Lovett, and Quincy Jones. He has also contributed musical scores for several films, including Mask and Top Gun. His third solo project, Firefly, was released in 2004 on 215 Records.
---Steve Leggett, All Music Guide |
