Customer Reviews

Sax for Stax

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The smooth jazz saxophone Maestro Gerald Albright is no one-dimensional purveyor of musical wallpaper.
He has recorded seven successful solo albums for Atlantic when he wasn't busy, assisting an impressive roster of popular R&B artists. Some of the more well-known artists Albright assisted during his career include Anita Baker, Regina Belle, Quincy Jones, the Temptations, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, and many, many more.
His new release, his eleventh solo offering, "Sax For Stax" (Peak Records)) is a refreshing, well balanced authentic and innovative work which sets out to unashamedly do what it says on the packet!
Always a consistent upholder of authenticity and purity, he turns the soul music of Stax Records, the legendary Memphis-based recording company that defined southern soul from the late `50s to the mid '70s, into a soul stirring stew of down home rhythm and blues chased with a mason jar of jazz.
It is an amalgam of eight passionately rendered covers of Stax classics and some lesser known compositions, plus three originals written with Memphis in mind. It pays tribute to the legendary Memphis-based record label that defined Southern soul from the 1950s to the mid 1970s, coinciding with Concord Music Group's re-launching of the Stax label, and also Stax's 50th anniversary.
Co-produced by Rex Rideout, it features guest appearances from Earth Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey on "Whatcha See is Whatcha Get" (a 1971 hit by vocal quintet The Dramatics), Will Downing on "Never Can Say Goodbye" (a Top 5 hit for Isaac Hayes) and the R&B ubiquitous vocalist Ledisi, who duets with Albright on the Staple Singers classic "Respect Yourself".
While paying homage to some of the most celebrated R&B classics in history, Albright manages to put his own signature twist on each song, only further solidifying his position as one of the most respected and sought after saxophonists to straddle the fence of jazz and R&B.
"Memphis is a great city from which many great musicians have made tremendous contributions to music", Albright says.
"But the sax guru does more than simply toot out contemporary Muzak facsimiles of such classics as "Knock on Wood" and "Cheaper to Keep Her." Rhythmically intertwining his jazz and R&B roots within fresh, creative arrangements, Albright brings a welcome snap, crackle and pop to the proceedings.
Rounding out the album are three Memphis-vibed Albright compositions. As he navigates the project, Albright never loses sight of his mission: giving listeners real music they can also feel". --Gail Mitchell/Billboard
Every track highlights the true talent that Gerald Albright was blessed with.
It's rare you come across a disc that jams on every track, but I have to give it up, this jams from start to finish.
Well worth a listen.
New Beginnings

This music is rich! Gerald Albright became my favorite sax player shortly after this CD came out. I always liked him before, but this whole CD puts me in heaven. With an awesome supporting cast and song selection he has put together a CD that any jazz lover should own. If you don't like this music there is something terribly wrong with you.

Via Facebook he has told me he has a new CD coming out in June. I'll be one of the first to purchase it.

This is probably the best CD of Gerald Albright's that I have, with the possible exception of his excellent compilation CD from a few years back. It's certainly the best non-compilation of his I own, as it's terrific from start to finish, with a lot of good energy put into some classic hits along with three originals.

It starts out with the very up-tempo them from "The Men", then slows it down slightly with "Knock On Wood", which has a nice beat to it. He slows it down all the way with a nice cover of the Isaac Hayes ballad "Never Can Say Goodbye", which features Will Downing, and keeps it right about there with the beautiful "Memphis Passion", one of the three originals. He comes back to it later with "I Stand Accused", after Ledisi helps out on "Respect Yourself". "Cheaper to Keep Her" and "Walkin' Down Beale Street" bring the tempo back up, the latter being the second original. "What You See Is What You Get" is well-done, with a nice helping hand from Philip Bailey, and he closes nicely with more of the same energy he started with on "Who's Making Love" and "W.C. Handy Hop", the latter being the last original recording on the CD.

All in all, it's an excellent effort from a guy who's gone down the R&B route before, and with similar success. The covers are excellent, and he hits home runs with all three original recordings.

Knock on wood was cool, as was Never Can Say Goodbye, I wish Will could have sung the song instead of just doing vocals. I also would have liked to have heard him cover Johnnie Taylor's I Believe In You, You Believe In Me and the Dramatics In The Rain. Enough covers, Gerald, except for the usual one or two you do on your studio albums. Speaking of covers, since you and Will seem to be pretty tight, how about getting him and Maysa Leak to cover the song Ain't Understanding Mellow by Jerry Butler and Brenda Lee Eager? Just a thought.

Man I got my cd in perfect condition and before da due date....You Guys iz off da chain

Have seen Mr Albright in concert many times and listening to cd is almost like he right there in front of you.

I just purchased Sax for Stax by Gerald Albright, and am pleased to add it to my collection. I have most of his CD's and find him to be awesome on the sax. He plays with such passion and heart, and this CD is just as good as the rest. You will not be disappointed especially if you are a true fan of jazz and Gerald Albright.

This is the best thing Gerald Albright has done in years, though is hard to fail with these songs!
He has taken some old classic soul-songs from legendary label Stax from Memphis and sort of renewed them by rearranging and make more "Gerald" but still true the orginal versions.
Another thing i like is that he has a drummer on all tracks!
You recognize them though they're in different arrangements.
If you want the two worlds(soul/jazz) combined this album you just gotta have!

This is Gerald Albright at his best! He does great covers on many cuts and it is a driving CD for listening and partying.

The Music CD is Excellent. I play it often! I love Smooth Jazz Music!Gerald Albright is one of my favorite Artist.