azz / Smooth Jazz; Jazz-Pop
Recorded: Funky Joint, Sherman Oaks, California and The Soul Shack, Van Nuys, California
Paul Brown's talents as producer/engineer have earned him two GRAMMY Awards and an impressive string of more than 40 #1 hits on Radio & Records' Smooth Jazz chart. In an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Brown has worked on projects for such influential artists as George Benson, Al Jarreau, Kirk Whalum, Patti Austin, Norman Brown, Luther Vandross, Larry Carlton, Euge Groove, Boney James, Rick Braun and Peter White, among many others. Now, he turns his attention to presenting another 'new' artist - himself.
Brown's recording debut for GRP Records, Up Front, places him up front and center on guitar and vocals. The recording features 12 songs, a number of which were co-written by Brown, who also produced the CD. Favorite cover tunes by James Taylor, Van Morrison, Wes Montgomery and Rodgers and Hart round out the album. Guitarist Peter White, multi-instrumentalist Jeff Carruthers, bassist Roberto Vally, trumpeter Jerry Hey and digital editor D.C. join Brown throughout the CD, as do special guests Boney James (saxophone), Jeff Lorber (vibraphone), Rick Braun (trumpet), Chuck Loeb (guitar) and others: the result is nothing less than a very smooth inviting groove.
With the release of Up Front, Paul Brown producer, composer, arranger and now recording artist has once again broken new ground, establishing himself as a musician in his own right. One listen and it's clear Brown has made the switch with all the chops, verve, and taste of someone who knows exactly what he's doing, inside and outside the control room.
Paul Brown - guitar, vocal
Rick Braun (10) - trumpet
Boney James (6) - saxophone
Chuck Loeb (3) - acoustic guitar, keyboards
Jeff Lorber (1) - vibraphone
Peter White (5) - guitar
Jerry Hey (2-3, 10, 11) - trumpet, flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach (2-3, 10, 11) - trombone
Larry Williams (2-3, 6, 10) - saxophone, keyboards
Roberto Vally (2, 5-6, 10, 12) - bass, keyboards |
