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| Eight Days of Ecstasy |
| Pamela Williams |
| első megjelenés éve: 1998 |
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| (1998)
[ ENHANCED ]
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CD |
| 3.726 Ft
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| 1. | Scarlet
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| 2. | Still in Love
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| 3. | Love in the Afternoon
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| 4. | I've Got Love on My Mind
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| 5. | Escape to Paradise
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| 6. | Pump up the Heat
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| 7. | I'll Be There for You
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| 8. | Saxy-Ness
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| 9. | Eight Days of Ecstasy
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| 10. | One of the Gals
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Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / R&B
Pamela Williams - Arranger, Bass, Drum Programming, Producer, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Synthesizer, Synthesizer Bass
Chuck Smith - Bass
Darnell Alexander - Vocals
David Booker - Bass, Vocals
Debra Laws - Vocals
Doug Grigsby - Bass
Gerald Albright - , Sax (Tenor)
Jason Bucklin - , Guitar
Joe McBride - Piano
Kevin Flournoy - Keyboards, Producer, Programming
Morris O'Connor - Guitar
Scott Weltner - Percussion
Tim Kobza - Guitar
After the chart-topping success of her Heads Up International debut Saxtress, world renown saxophonist Pamela Williams follows up with yet another "sure thing" on her Enchanced CD release Eight Days of Ecstasy (HUCD 3043).
Featuring guest appearances by Gerald Albright, vocalists Debra Laws and 2nd Nature, Eight Days of Ecstasy is poised to follow in the footsteps of Pamela's unprecedented accomplishments on her debut release Saxtress, which spent over five months on the Billboard charts and earned her the honors of being named the #1 New Female Contemporary Jazz artist of 1996.
"Seven is a magical number both spiritually and artistically, like the seven colors in a rainbow and the seven notes in a musical scale. Eight is a number of completion--a perfect union, a perfect octave," shares Pamela on the subject of the title of her new release. "Some people have ecstatic relationships that may only last a few days. Also, the number eight mysteriously surrounds me."
Also an Enchanced CD, Eight Days of Ecstasy takes the listener/viewer on a narrated journey through Pamela's "private galleries", sharing a variety of personal glimpses into the artist's world. The Enhanced CD also features a biography and live video footage of Pamela as well as videos and information on other Heads Up recording artists. The CD can be viewed via a CD-ROM drive on either a PC or Mac-based computer.
Eight Days of Ecstasy is sure to appeal to both the NAC and Urban AC listeners, as did its predecessor. And Pamela is hoping to reach an even broader audience with this new record by touring extensively when the record is released. "It's really a joy to perform live," says Williams. "I want to travel throughout the United States as well as internationally and visit as many cities as will have us!"
* Barbara Buranyi - Make-Up
* Bobby Brooks - Engineer
* Dave Love - Executive Producer, Producer
* David Newsom - Design, Enhanced CD Design
* Eric Huber - Multi Instruments, Producer, Programming
* James Allen - Arranger, Producer
* Jonathan Wyner - Mastering
* Martin Walters - Multi Instruments, Producer, Programming
* Toi White - Associate Producer
* Tommy Edwards - Photography
* Tony Moore - Drum Programming
The very sensuous looking and sounding Pamela Williams certainly delivers on the promise of her title, Eight Days of Ecstasy; this is one of the sexiest rhythm and jazz dates in ages. Which is interesting, because as a sax player, for the most part she doesn't really add anything innovative to her craft. If you take the blindfold test, you might hear her wonderful influences, David Sanborn (the gritty alto funk of "Pump Up the Heat") and the late George Howard (a sassy soprano led take on Al Green's "Still in Love"). She is an obvious fan of Babyface, as the vocal tune "I'll Be There for You" (which she simply harmonizes on) sounds like an outtake. Yet there is hope to break beyond these patterns, particularly on the closing track, "One of the Cats," where she takes the high tones of the soprano, combines them with the darker edges of tenor, and springs them into more improvisational directions over a keyboard generated trio groove. And then in the middle, she switches off, playing tag team relay. She also proves a capable team player with none other than Gerald Albright, with the two cooking up some horn-section tension on alto (Williams) and tenor (Albright).~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
Pamela Williams
Named the "Top New Female Contemporary Jazz Artist" of 1996, Pamela's Saxtress spent over 5 months on the Billboard charts. She was also the darling of Smooth Jazz radio, and Urban AC stations embraced the hit single Secret Garden (featuring Patti LaBelle and Teena Marie) and didn't let go!
The follow up to her debut smash Saxtress , Eight Days of Ecstasy delivers an intoxicating blend of smooth jazz, hip-hop and urban-laced grooves. Pamela's material selection for her new release crosses a multitude of boundaries. "The new record is diverse like Saxtress. I like to incorporate lots of different styles into my playing. And this time I got a chance to do some writing and producing, which was very satisfying," states Williams.
Pamela's growth as a player, writer and now a producer is certainly evidenced on this second release. Her "saxuality" on the self-penned title track Eight Days of Ecstasy demonstrates Pamela's ability to lure the listener into a musical world all unto itself. Another mood-provoking cut, I'll Be There For You, is a heartstring-tugging vocal ballad where she is joined by Darnel Alexander and David Booker of the R&B group 2nd Nature. Her collaboration with fellow saxophonist Gerald Albright on Scarlet is a groove-driven highlight, and Pump Up The Heat and Escape To Paradise finds Williams collaborating once again with Saxtress producer Martin Walters.The remakes of Still In Love sung by Debra Laws and I've Got Love On My Mind sung by 2nd Nature are sure bets to follow in the footsteps of Williams' "Secret Garden" success.
Williams has lived in Los Angeles since 1989, but it was her native Philadelphia--an artistic hotbed that everyone from John Coltrane to Teddy Pendergrass to the Fresh Prince has called home -- that did so much to shape her musical personality. "Philadelphia was a great place to learn music because the city's music scene was really happening when I was growing up," Pamela recalls. "Philadelphia International Records was big and everyone was recording in Philly--The O-Jays, Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, the Stylistics, Patti LaBelle and Grover Washinton, Jr."
Williams had been listening to soul and R & B religiously since childhood when George Benson's Breezin' LP, with its contemporary rhythms, ignited her interest in jazz. When Grover Washington, Jr. released Mr. Magic and she heard its cutting-edge blend of jazz and R & B, Williams' became interested in the saxophone. "He laughs when I tell him that I learned to play the saxophone listening to his records, but it's true. I'd listen to Mr. Magic or Live at the Bijou and copy his solos. I think that when an artist finds his or her own style, it comes from having so many different influences. I loved everyone from the Crusaders to the Ohio Players."
Playing with the Martin Luther King Jazz Ensemble at King High School in Philly's historic Germantown section, Williams was required to embrace both electric jazz-funk and hardcore bebop. Playing in the Ensemble's rhythm section were the improvisors who went on to become "Quiet Storm" favorites Pieces of a Dream.
By the time Williams left Philly's rowhouses and cheesesteaks for L.A.'s sun, surf and smog, she had toured extensively and internationally backing fellow Philadelphian Patti LaBelle. "My success truly stems from Patti's graciousness," says Williams. "She has wholeheartedly supported me and built me up as an artist. I have learned so much from Patti. She is an amazing woman."
While many Philly musicians have made New York their home, Williams chose L.A. primarily because of the opportunities it offers in television and film. Since moving west, Williams has performed on Jay Leno's The Tonight Show and on Rick Dees' Into the Night, to name a few. In addition to touring with Teena Marie and working with Prince, Babyface and Chante Moore, the "Saxtress" has appeared in a wide variety of videos by artists ranging from soul veteran Barry White ("Come On") to rapper/actress Queen Latifah ("Hard Times").
And when she's not touring or writing music, Pamela has a chance to pursue another one of her talents--painting. "I've been painting since I was 3 or 4 years old when my dad first taught me to draw," says Pamela. "I was painting for a long time before I ever picked up the saxophone." Pamela now does a couple of shows a year as well as commission work. A special selection of her works are included on the Enhanced CD portion of Eight Days Of Ecstasy."My painting is similar to my music in that I draw from many different styles. I incorporate abstract art as well as impressionism. It's really a melting pot of styles, just like my music."
But no matter the style of art she embraces, it is apparent that Williams is unlikely to be confined to any one genre. "Some people feel like if you aren't playing straight-ahead jazz or classical music, you aren't a serious musician," she explains. "I don't agree with that statement in its entirety. I enjoy performing in a multitude of musical styles from Latin music, jazz, R & B, hip-hop and house." And this versatility is what shines through in Pamela's music. So sit back, relax and prepare to be seduced once again by the "Saxtress" herself on Eight Days of Ecstasy. |
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