A River in the Desert by Jr. (Guitar) Paul Jackson (CD, Apr-1993, Atlantic)

Album Features
UPC:	075678244124
Artist:	Jr. (Guitar) Paul Jackson
Format:	CD
Release Year:	1993
Record Label:	Atlantic
Genre:	Guitar, Jazz Instrument

Track Listing
1. Heaven Must Be Like This
2. Alain
3. Flavor, The
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

Details
Playing Time:	57 min.
Contributing Artists:	George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Howard Hewett, James Ingram, Harvey Mason, Paulinho Da Costa, Keith Washington, Glenn Jones
Distributor:	WEA (Distributor)
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	n/a

Album Notes
Personnel: Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar, programming, keyboards); Barbara Weathers (vocals); Gerald Albright (saxophones, flute); Bobby Lyle (piano); Greg Phillingaines (keyboards, synthesizers); Cornelius Mims (keyboards, programming, bass); Robbie Buchannan, Jerry Peters, J. Wayne Lindsey, Monty Seward, Jeff Lorber (keyboards); James Jamerson, Jr. (bass); Ndugu, Derrick Organ (drums); Ollie E. Brown (drums, percussion); Tim "Timbale" Cornwell (percussion); Donald Tavie (programming); Stanley Clarke, James Ingram, Paulinho Da Costa, George Duke, Harvey Mason, Howard Hewett, Glenn Jones, Keith Washington.Background vocals: Phillip Ingram, Ollie "Ali" Woodson, J.D. Nichols, Mona Lisa Young, Fred White, Lynn Davis, Blanche Jackson.Producers: Paul Jackson Jr, Ollie E. Brown, Cornelius Mims, Monty Seward.Engineers: Steve Hallquist, Tina Madison, Conley Abrams, Paul Jackson, Jr., Monty Seward, J. Wayne Lindsey.Principally recorded at Mankind Recording Studios, Encino California and The Music Grinder Recording Studios, Hollywood, California.All songs written or co-written by Paul Jackson, Jr. except "Heaven Must Be Like This" (Ralph Middlebrooks/James Williams/Marshall Jones/Leroy Bonner/Clarence Satchell/Marvin Pierce), "End Of The Road" (Antonio Reed/ Kenneth Edmonds/Daryl Simmons), "If I Go Away" (Monty Seward/Kimaya Seward) and "Heaven" (Keith Thomas/Benjamin Winans).Personnel: Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar, keyboards, programming, drum programming); Glenn Jones , Glennis Jones, Barbara Weathers (vocals); Gerald Albright (flute, saxophone); Bobby Lyle (piano); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards, synthesizer, bass synthesizer); Cornelius Mims (keyboards, drum programming); Jeff Lorber, Jerry Peters, Monty Seward (keyboards); Harvey Mason, Sr. (drums, cymbals); Ollie E. Brown (drums, percussion); Ndugu, Derek Organ (drums); Timbali Cornwell, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Donald Tavie (drum programming); Fred White , J.D. Nichols, Howard Hewett, Keith Washington, Kipper Jones, Lynn Davis , Ali-Ollie Woodson, Monalisa Young, Phillip Ingram (background vocals).Audio Mixers: Conley Abrams; Craig Burbidge; Anthony Jeffries; Bill Schnee.Recording information: Julius Productions; Mankind Recordin Studio, Encino, CA; Music Grinder Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA.Unknown Contributor Role: George Duke.Arrangers: Cornelius Mims; Donald Tavie; Monty Seward; Ollie E. Brown; Paul Jackson, Jr. .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