A River in the Desert

by Paul Jackson, Jr.

Overview

One of the biggest complaints about contemporary jazz is that it's too commercially minded to be truly unique and creative. R&B guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr. has figured out a way to combine the two in fresh ways which offer treats for the pop market as well as true jazz buffs. A River in the Desert has those easily accessible, Najee-esque cool funk grooves and vocals but also plenty of energetic creative electric and acoustic playing to show that Jackson understands the traditions his music is founded on. Even on more pedestrian fare like Boyz II Men's "End of the Road," he improvises nicely, but that's just an appetizer for the disc's real pleasures, two fiery all-acoustic blues jams with Stanley Clarke, Bobby Lyle and Ndugu Chancler. More would have been appreciated. Still, blend all the elements, artistic and chart conscious together, and Jackson gives the genre a perfect balancing act. ~ Jonathan Widran

Product Details

Release Date:	04/20/1993
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0075678244124
Rank:	94696

Tracks

1. Heaven Must Be Like This
2. Alain
3. The Flavor
4. Preview of Coming Attractions
5. East from the West
6. It's a Start
7. End of the Road
8. River in the Desert
9. If I Go Away
10. Heaven
11. One O'Clock Blues

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Paul Jackson, Jr.   Primary Artist,Guitar,Keyboards
Keith Washington   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Glenn Jones   Guest Artist,Vocals
Howard Hewett   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Harvey Mason, Sr.   Guest Artist,Drums,Cymbals
George Duke   Guest Artist
Paulinho Da Costa   Guest Artist,Percussion
James Ingram   Guest Artist
Stanley Clarke   Guest Artist,Bass
Bobby Lyle   Piano
Derek Organ   Drums
Greg Phillinganes   Keyboards,Synthesizer,Synthesizer Bass
Jeff Lorber   Keyboards
Lynn Davis   Vocals (Background)
Phillip Ingram   Vocals (Background)
Ndugu   Drums
Fred White   Vocals (Background)
Jerry Peters   Keyboards
Monty Seward   Keyboards
Glennis Jones   Vocals
Ollie E. Brown   Drums,Percussion
Monalisa Young   Vocals (Background)
James "Timbali" Cornwell   Percussion
Cornelius Mims   Bass,Keyboards
Gerald Albright   Flute,Saxophone
Ali-Ollie Woodson   Vocals (Background)
Kipper Jones   Vocals (Background)
James Jamerson, Jr.   Bass
Barbara Weathers   Vocals
J.D. Nichols   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Paul Jackson, Jr.   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Drum Programming
Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner   Composer
Phillip Ingram   Vocal Arrangement
L.A. Reid   Composer
Craig Burbidge   Mixing
Jerry Peters   Composer
Marvin Pierce   Composer
Anthony Jeffries   Mixing
Monty Seward   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
James "Diamond" Williams   Composer
Tina Madison   Engineer
Marshall "Rock" Jones   Composer
Ralph Middlebrooks   Composer
Ollie E. Brown   Arranger,Producer,Vocal Arrangement
Kimaya Seward   Composer
Daryl Simmons   Composer
Cornelius Mims   Arranger,Composer,Drum Programming
Kenneth Edmonds   Composer
Donald Tavie   Arranger,Composer,Drum Programming
Stanley Clarke   Composer
Conley Abrams   Mixing,Engineer
Clarence "Satch" Satchell   Composer
Steve Hallquist   Engineer
Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks   Composer
Benjamin Winans   Composer
Marshall Jones   Composer
Antonio Reed   Composer
Keith Thomas   Composer,Composer
Leroy Bonner   Composer
Bernie Grundman   Mastering
Babyface   Composer
Bob Loftus   Mixing Assistant
Bill Schnee   Mixing