Customer Reviews

Come On Up

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In comparison to his previous release, Nice & Slow, Brian Culbertson's latest, Come on Up could also be called "Fast & Funky." This CD moves away from the predominantly soothing melodies of Nice to incorporate more horns ("Serpentine Fire," an instrumental remake of the Earth, Wind, & Fire hit, and "Funky B") and thumping bass lines ("Midnight") to go along with Culbertson's signature piano melodies. For those like me who were converted to Culbertson by Nice & Slow, "Last Night" is a gentle, flowing song that reminds one of the style of his previous release and "Days Gone By" is reminiscent of the steamy "I Could Get Used To This." As for outstanding performance, the title track "Come On Up" weaves Culbertson's infectious piano melodies with Norman Brown's stellar guitar segments to stand out as the highlight of this CD.

Other notable efforts include "Our Love," a piano ballad written for Culbertson's wedding, and the bouncy "Fly High," the only song that incorporates any vocals--and that only a chorus--and features background vocals slightly distorted through a talk box.

Overall, Brian Culbertson's Come On Up is more funky than romantic, but has enough of both to satisfy everyone.

This man is no joke! With each outing he gets funkier and funkier. I am a huge fan...so I may be biased. I popped the cd in my car and actually sat in front of my house shaking my head in disbelief. It's hard to go wrong with backing from such notables as the one and only Marcus Miller, Norman Brown, Tony Maiden...I'm old enough to remember when he played with Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. He didn't open the gate politely begging for us to pay attention. He jumped out the gate! It's a nice mix and one that will be in rotation for many days to come. I was really very pleasantly surprised that he chose to remake Serpentine Fire. I appreciate the fact that he takes his craft seriously and is always at the top of his game. Come On Up. It's a party you won't soon forget!

Just bought BC latest cd "come on up". I have everything Brian Culbertson has recorded.I have everything Norman has recorded.But I can't remember hearing the two together,until now.Let's say the introduction is simply dynamite!!! That cd is jammed packed with smooth jazz superstars.Marcus Miller,Rick Braun,Norman Brown,and up an coming Chicago saxman,Steve Cole. The results, a super,super cd. I must have played it a gazillion times before I turned it off. can't get enough. Like the previous reviews,I'm having trouble picking my favorite cut. I'll list 3."midnight","Last night", and the title tract,"come on up" featuring Norman Brown. The whole cd is brilliant.5 thumbs up. Joe Payne.Houston,TX

This album sums up the approach that most artists are beginning to take in the smooth jazz scene. Lets funk it up man! This cd has reached number one in the smooth jazz charts and without a doubt its probably album of the year. There is not one dull track, each one beaming with enthusiasm and an array of special guests. Steve Cole plays brilliantly on the opening track, and Marcus Miller wows you with stunning bass playing in MIDNIGHT which is the strongest track. An up tempo cd which you will never get bored of. Go out and buy it!

When did you start to LOSE stars for being "too funky"?! Culbertson continues the trend for 2003 jazz releases which tend to lean more on urban contemporary influences and less reliance on the tired smooth jazz format (re: new Lorber/Elliot/Cole/Urban Knights V/Roy Hargrove/Candy Dulfer as evidence). In other words more Mojitos and less Merlot in 2003. This being said-Come On Up is the best of the lot and opens with the now familiar single Say What? Now generally that's the reason you bought the cd and we all go home, but then Marcus Miller's bass smacks you in the face and all of a sudden it's MIDNIGHT and you say [WHOA]! that's even better than Say What! The next couple of tracks, Playin' and Days Gone By highlight Culbertson's rather formidible chops-these days if Lorber's not on your jazz cd, Culbertson WILL be. Thus far, Steve Cole, Ricky Peterson, Tony Maiden, Marcus Miller and the old Seawind horn section get the party started and most of them meet up and throw down at Serpentine Fire in a most righteous tribute to EWF. So we're done right?! Rahsaan Patterson then collabo's with Culbertson on FLY HIGH and you're bobbing your head saying "no they didn't!!" this should be the next single . The groove continues on the following two tracks with Rick Braun on Last Night and Norman Brown on the fabulous title track Come On Up-it has a hook you will certainly be humming. The CD winds down with Our Love and you notice I didn't skip over any selections in this review, you won't either.

Can't say enough about this talented artist. Saw him in concert in Charlotte NC and he brought the house down. What a great show! His new CD 'Come On Up' is every bit as good (no excellent). I was surprised to learn that Brian is also a talented Trombonist. Get this CD! You will not be disappointed!

As a good wine ages for the betterment so does Brian. My musical appreciation for Brian began with the (After Hours) project. Previously with (Long Night Out and Modern Life) all with Blue Moon records he was just another upcoming musician. Then came the Atlantic years and all of sudden he had matured like vintage wine (Secrets and Somethin Bout Love). Just when I thought it could not get any better than (Nice & Slow), Brian 'Comes On Up' with this project. The outstanding song selections and musical guest on this Album assures me that it belongs in the JazzeOne collection- A fine vintage wine indeed, keep it coming Brian. ~the JazzeOne

I wrote a review that was rather unfavorable on this album but now I have to say that I've changed my mind on this album. This is a darn good album and Brian hits another home run with his latest outing "Come On Up" and while it's not his best by any means, this CD continues the streak of really enjoyable albums that he has put out over the last decade since his amazing debut album "Light Night Out". This CD is a lot more upbeat and is destined to be more for the partygoers and a lot of the atmospherics that dominated a lot of his earlier albums have taken a back seat on here. Those who are looking for something like "Come To Me" or "Alone With You" might as well wait for a while but for veteran fans like me, this is a really great album. For those turned off by my negative review that I wrote a while back, I apologize.

I briefly looked at several of the Amazon reviews. The most accurate description is that this CD is upbeat, funky and shows total deference to the grooves of Earth Wind & Fire. One track is a remake of Serpentine Fire. Other tracks feature Marcus Miller, Ricky Peterson and other notable musicians. The entire CD demonstrates Brian's current direction both as a producer and concert performer. Enjoy!!!!

I went to see Chris Botti in concert in Dallas in 2003 and I didn't know anything about the opening act, Brian Culbertson. I was so blown away when he opened with Say What. I was on the second row in the middle and I felt like my hair was going to fly off my head with the multiple sound sensations blasting me in the face and ears!! It was so awesome!! The rest of the concert was incredible, especially Michael Lington. I ended up buying his CD too and they are both definite 5+ CDs. I highly recommend buying both of these CDs and seeing them in concert if you get the opportunity. BTW, Chris Botti was great as always. I had seen him before in Houston on his 40th birthday in a very small (100 person) venue on the 1ST ROW!!!!! He played back to back sets and the concert was over 3 hours long, so how could that compare to a measly 45 minute show? Anyway, I got to talk to him again and get a pic so over all the evening was great plus I got to meet Brian and Michael and Michael signed his CD for me with "Lee You Rock!!!".