Gerald Albright – Kickin’ It Up
Gerald Albright
Kickin’ It Up
(GRP – 2004)
by Paula Edelstein
Saxophonist Gerald Albright is Kickin’ It Up with special guests George Duke, Peter White and Shawn Stockman on this funky, urban smooth groove. In addition to baring his great talent on the saxophone, Albright shares his special skills on flute, bass guitar and keyboards on ten great songs. Seven originals set the pace for this dynamic set and Albright opens with his swinging “4 On The Floor” which paves the way for “To The Max” – another of Albright’s radio hits penned with co-writer Jeff Lorber.
This is a funky party time tune that is just in time for summer. He covers “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” with new immediacy and pays tribute to the late, great R&B saxophonist Junior Walker (“Shotgun”) with a soulful “Walker’s Theme.” But it’s his cover of Brian McKnight’s “Condition Of My Heart,” that will appeal to anyone that has to start over from a failed relationship. Shawn Stockman has a smooth, enticing voice that caresses the innermost emotions. He pulls this song off with sensitivity and class but without sounding overly sugary. Once again, as with GROOVOLOGY, Gerald Albright spotlights his many talents and ability to make a song his own on KICKIN’ IT UP. So don’t just sit there…
Reprinted with permission of…
