Solid

by Boney James

Overview

Saxophonist Boney James came up in the late '80s backing funky pop and R&B performers like the Isley Brothers, Morris Day, Randy Crawford, and Teena Marie. These early experiences helped shape his own sound as he moved into soulful, instrumental jazz. It's an approach that helped earn him four Grammy nominations, and one he continues to hone almost three decades into his career on his robust 17th album, 2020's Solid, which follows 2017's neo-soul-inflected Honestly (his 11th number one Billboard Contemporary Jazz album). Produced by James, Solid again finds him crafting a handful of lyrical and groove-based tracks that showcase his burnished tone and infectious sense of rhythm. Particularly engaging are cuts like the title track, "Full Effect," and "Tonic," ebullient and hooky numbers James co-wrote with guitarist Kendall Gilder while they were on tour for Honestly. No less compelling is the celestial tropicalia of "Luna," as James spirals harmonically colorful lines against a spacy keyboard and lush backing vocals. He also brings on board vocalist Kenny Lattimore for the sultry, yearning ballad "Be Here." Both of these songs were co-written by James and his longtime collaborator writer/producer Jairus "J-Mo" Mozee. Elsewhere, he draws upon an early-'80s soft-soul vibe for "Just So," evokes synthy '90s New Jack Swing on "Sundance," and settles back into the dusky, Barry White-esque slow jam "The Bottom Line." Part of what keeps James' music sounding so vital, and makes him stand out among his smooth jazz peers, is his ability to evoke the grind and sweat of old-school R&B; Solid has plenty of that to go around. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	06/12/2020
Label:	Concord
UPC:	0888072156319

Tracks

1. Full Effect
2. Solid
3. The Bottom Line
4. Luna
5. On the Path
6. Be Here
7. Tonic
8. Just So
9. Fresh Air
10. Sundance
11. Last Train Home

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Boney James   Primary Artist,Bass,Flute,Piano,Keyboards,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor),Flute (Alto),Keyboard Bass,Sax (Soprano),Piano (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Kenny Lattimore   Primary Artist,Vocals
Paul Jackson, Jr.   Guitar,Soloist
Darrell Smith   Piano,Keyboards,Moog Bass,Keyboard Bass,Moog Synthesizer,Bass
Smitty Smith   Guitar (Bass)
Omari Williams   Drums,Cymbals
Kendall Gilder   Guitar
Michael Stever   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Jairus Mozee   Bass,Guitar,Keyboards,Sax (Tenor),Guitar (Bass),Keyboard Bass
Dra-Kkar Wesley   Vocals (Background)
Carnell Harrell   Organ,Piano,Soloist,Keyboards,Piano (Electric)
Beatsmadebyfresh   Piano,Piano (Electric)
DraK-kar Madicin Wesley   Vocals (Background)
Alex Al   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Lenny Castro   Drums,Percussion
Dwayne "Smitty" Smith   Bass
Jason Morales   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Boney James   Composer,Producer,Recording,Programming,Drum Programming,Recording Producer
Darrell Smith   Composer
David Rideau   Recording
Kendall Gilder   Composer
Jairus Mozee   Composer,Producer,Programming,Recording Producer
Dra-Kkar Wesley   Composer
Beatsmadebyfresh   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming,Recording Producer
DraK-kar Madicin Wesley   Composer
Kenny Lattimore   Composer
Dwayne "Smitty" Smith   Composer