New Beginnings

Gerald Albright | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Peak Records
• ASIN: B000E5N67A
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,072 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This CD finds the LA-born, smooth-jazz star Gerald Albright on a new label, with a new line of saxophones and a new home in Colorado. It's co-produced by some of his heavyweight contemporaries, including Jeff Lorber, Chuckii Booker, and Rex Rideout, and it features Albright's traveling band. All of the 12 tracks showcase Albright's assertive mix of Cannonball Adderley's bravura and Maceo Parker's funkiness--whether he's playing alto, baritone, tenor sax, or flute. His high school friend, Patrice Rushen, who let Albright steal the show with his burning solo on her 1982 single "Forget Me Nots," turns in a nice piano spotlight on the title track. The old Whispers hit "And the Beat Goes On" is reprised with that group's lead vocalists, and trumpeter Chris Botti's Milesiian trumpet leaves its footprint on "Big Shoes." Albright's rousing rendition of "Georgia on My Mind," shows why everybody, from Quincy Jones to Phil Collins, loves his sound. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new beginning..., April 12, 2006

By 

Tawana Hawkins (Akron, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Beginnings (Audio CD)

It definitely shows! My understanding is that it made a debut at number one. There is an excellent reason for that. This cd is superb! I am equal parts happy and excited about this for him. We Got The Groove has a beat that keeps the repeat button on my cd player in constant motion. New Beginnings with Patrice Rushen is pure gold. It's extremely hard for me to choose favorites because honestly this is a solid effort from beginning to end. I'm a huge fan so I usually like anything he releases. This is destined to end up as one of my all time favorites. Other songs that stand out for me are I Need You, You Are My Love, Big Shoes and a guaranteed show stopper at any live show Georgia On My Mind and the reprise. He takes it to a whole new level. I am also a huge Jeff Lorber fan and they make a wonderful combination. Excellent cd! I love everything about it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SICK SICK SICK, July 6, 2006

By 

Dewey K "Dewey" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Beginnings (Audio CD)

This album is one that just has your head boppin' or you jumping up and down in your seat. This is a must play for the car. The hooks are simple and memorable from beginning to end. I especially love the "Georgia on my mind." Just adding another to my Albright collection.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Mix, March 28, 2006

By 

Sherman L. Dantzler "JazzeOne Production" (Grand Blanc, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Beginnings (Audio CD)

I had an opportunity to get an early glimpse of the CD and found it to be a fairly good session. I say that because it is not Gerald's best work, but definitely not his worst. I am a true fan of Gerald's music and eagerly wait with anticipation each release which seems to come about every two years after several years of back to back projects. What you will like on this project is the title track `New Beginnings' featuring Patrice Rushen which brings back fond old school memories of Grover Washington Jr. Also, `Last but not Least' has a catchy beat that will have you tapping your feet (I see this one getting some radio air time). But Gerald really shows his sax ability on his rendition of `Georgia On My Mind'. `I Need You' and `All the Love' puts a little modern day vocalize Rhythm to the CD. He gets somewhat funky with `Big Shoes' and `We Got the Groove' which turned out to be quite enjoyable and deserves radio air time. The other selections are ok at best. The CD is a good mix, good enough to add to your collection, but if you are looking for "Live at Birdland West' you may have to wait a couple of more years. ~the JazzeOne