Jazz / Urban, Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Bryan Brock - Percussion, Conga
Cherie Mitchell - Keyboards
Curtis Harmon - Triangle, Drums, Producer
Dave Love Executive Producer, Producer
David Dyson Bass
David Newsom Producer
Eddie Baccus, Jr. Sax (Soprano), Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Saxophone
Gerald Albright Producer, Keyboards, Wind Controller, Saxophone, Sax (Tenor), EWI, Programming, Sax (Alto)
James K. Lloyd Producer, Piano, Programming, Keyboards
Jeff Chestek Engineer, Mixing
John Secoges Photography
Jon Smeltz Mixing, Engineer
Kenny Blake Sax (Alto)
Krystof Zizka Assistant Engineer
Martin Walters Producer
Maysa Vocals
Pieces of a Dream Main Performer
Ramona Dunlap Vocals
Randy Bowland Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Producer
Robert Hoffman Photography Director, Cover Design
Ronny Jordan Guitar
Smooth jazz pioneers Pieces of a Dream commemorates the group's 25th anniversary with the release of Acquainted with the Night. The enhanced disc is the Philadelphia-based band's first for Heads Up International.
"When we started recording there wasn't even a smooth jazz category yet, let alone a radio station for it," reminiscences co-founder and keyboardist James Lloyd. "We were just playing music from the heart. The fact is we're young enough to look forward to a 50th anniversary ... so we're half way there."
The silver anniversary release features many guest musicians including British acid jazz guitarist Ronny Jordan, vocalist Maysa Leak, and saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kenny Blake.
"There's quite an array of writers on the new release," says drummer Curtis Harmon, who co-founded the band along with Lloyd. "From Gerald Albright to Michael Bearden along with remakes of 'Mahogany' and 'Upside Down.' And as usual, we did some of our own writing as well. I think the collection of different songs makes it a very unique album."
Both Lloyd and Harmon say they feel the move to Heads Up International is a milestone for the band. "We've never had this much support before," says Harmon. "Dave Love is as musically inclined of a company president as we've come across," raves Lloyd. "He was in the studio the whole time and was really into it. He was a big help to the recording session. He has great instincts. It was a blessing to have him."
Pieces of a Dream will tour this spring and summer in support of Acquainted with the Night. Lloyd and Harmon say they hope to be included in several jazz festivals.
Pieces of a Dream celebrates their 25th anniversary with this debut for Heads Up International, Acquainted With the Night. The Philadelphia-based band offers 12 new tracks written by co-founders James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon along with several other songwriters, including saxophonist Gerald Albright and Michael Bearden. The British acid jazz guitarist Ronny Jordan, vocalist Maysa Leak, and saxophonist Kenny Blake round out the list of stellar guest stars. Opening with "Ru Ready," the group launches into a series of musical portraits that seem to suggest a little philosophical parable heaped from their 25 years of experience. "Night Vision" captures the theme of the CD, with its riffs that suggest the ambience of twinkling stars in a night sky. These phrases are effectively portrayed through Lloyd's piano sensibilities and light flourishes. For those that remain unable to liberate themselves from the quiet beauty of smooth jazz, this CD creates a musical experience that not only chronicles the expertise of Pieces of a Dream, but affords their listeners a prominent escape from the ordinary "quiet storm" incubators that pervade the airwaves. This is by far their best release since Joyride and a huge jump in musical credibility due to their extensive inclusion of notable songwriters and guest artists that manage to sharpen the artistic visions on this project. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide
Pieces of a Dream
Active Decades: '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: 1975 in Philadelphia, PA
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Urban, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Comprised of bassist Cedric Napoleon, drummer Curtis Harmon, and keyboardist James Lloyd, Pieces of a Dream were founded in 1975 in Philadelphia when the principal members were all teenagers. Originally somewhat jazz-oriented, Pieces of a Dream have mostly emphasized R&B, although they usually include a few jazz numbers in their performances. Grover Washington, Jr. produced their first three albums (all for Elektra during 1981-1983); they have since recorded for Manhattan and Blue Note. Saxophonist Ron Kerber became a member in the 1990s, preceding the four varied releases that appeared throughout the decade. A collection appeared at the turn of the century, but the band proved to still be going strong with 2001's Acquainted with the Night and 2002's Love's Silhouette. No Assembly Required was released in 2004 on Cleveland's Heads Up label, followed by 2006's Pillow Talk, also on Heads Up.
--- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
