Jazz / Contemporary Jazz
Fusion
Neo-Bop
David Mann - Drum Programming, Engineer, Flute, Keyboards, Producer, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Synthesizer Bass
Barry Danielian - Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Bernd Schoenhart - Guitar (Rhythm)
Bob James - Keyboards
Catte Adams - Vocal Arrangement, Vocal Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Chieli Minucci - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
Chris Botti - Trumpet
Chuck Loeb - Guitar
David Charles - Percussion
Dean Brown - Guitar (Rhythm)
George Whitty - Drum Programming, Keyboards
Graham Hawthorne - Drums, Percussion
Jeff Kievet - Trumpet
Jim Hynes - Trumpet
Jon Herrington - Guitar (Rhythm)
Michael Ciro - Guitar (Rhythm)
Michael Mishaw - Vocals (Background)
Ned Mann - Assistant Producer, Bass (Acoustic), Engineer, Fretless Bass, Mixing
Nick Moroch - Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
* Amy Kwong - Art Direction, Design
* Brian Freeman - Engineer
* Brian McGee - Engineer
* Carl Griffin - Executive Producer
* Carol Boldish - Production Coordination
* Greg Calbi - Mastering
* Larry Busacca - Cover Photo
* Marc Hugenberger - Engineer
* Phil Magnotti - Mixing
Some bop snobs claim that people in the NAC/pop-jazz field are playing unchallenging music because they don't have chops, but that isn't true -- a lot of NAC musicians do have chops and they aren't afraid to improvise when they take it to the stage. Unfortunately, they aren't nearly as risk taking in the studio, where they avoid improvisation because they don't want to frighten away rigid NAC radio programmers. David Mann, for example, is a capable saxman whose influences include Grover Washington, Jr. and David Sanborn. But he plays it much too safe on Touch, which was obviously recorded with NAC radio in mind. Most of the time, Mann favors an unchallenging, innocuous blend of pop, R&B, and jazz -- and there is precious little evidence of his skills as an improviser. Nonetheless, this overproduced CD has its moments. Mann (who is heard on tenor, alto, and soprano sax as well as flute and keyboards) lets loose on the funky "Kinetic," and singer Catte Adams has a pleasant spot on "Love Is a Curious Thing" (a gentle quiet storm tune and Touch's only vocal offering). Much of the time, Mann sounds like he is content to fade into the background, which is regrettable because -- like so many NAC artists -- he is capable of a lot more.
---Alex Henderson, All Music Guide |
