Gerald Veasley
Love Letters
Heads-Up
Gerald Veasley delivers a winner with the release of Love Letters, described by the artist as “urban progressive.” This release should firmly establish the Philadelphia-born musician as an innovator who brings a contemporary voice to the bass as a lead instrument.
Like his 1997 release Soul Control, Love Letters showcases Veasley’s talents as musician, composer/arranger and producer in a melding of styles. Playing his distinctive six-string bass as well as keyboards, he’s joined on the project by saxophonists Grover Washington, Jr. and Eric Marienthal, plus guitarist Chieli Minucci.
Veasley shares producing and arranging credits on Love Letters with Richard Waller III (who also plays or programs drums on several of the tracks). Seven of the album’s ten songs were penned by the versatile bassist, including the easy-grooving title track and the disc’s spacious and majestic opener, “Facing West.” “Be Sweet” was co-written and recorded with saxophonist Chris Farr and keyboardist Bill Jolly, while Chieli Minucci’s sultry “Hypnotize” and a funk-laden rendition of Donny Hathaway’s “Valdez In the Country” round out the set.
Among the many other musicians heard on Love Letters are keyboardists Mark Knox and Michael Aharon, percussionist Leonard “Doc” Gibbs, and flutist Leslie Burrs.
For more info, contact: Heads-Up Records