| Smooth | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Studio | Aire L.A. (Glendale, California)
| |||
| Genre | R&B, jazz | |||
| Label | Atlantic [1] | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Gerald Albright chronology | ||||
| ||||
Smooth is the fourth studio album by the American musician Gerald Albright, released in 1994 on Atlantic Records. [2] [3] The album peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 2 on both the Billboard Jazz Albums and Contemporary Jazz Albums charts. [4]
Albright strove to create an R&B album; in addition to saxophone, he also played flute and keyboards. [5] [6] Vesta Williams, Lalah Hathaway, and Will Downing are among the many vocalists on the album. [7] [8] [9] Howard Hewett sang on the cover of "This Is for the Lover in You". [10] Stanley Clarke played bass on "Sedona". [11] The liner notes were written by Magic Johnson. [12]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| The Charlotte Observer | [14] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [15] |
| Los Angeles Times | [9] |
| MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide | [11] |
The Los Angeles Times wrote that "Albright offers predictably melodic, safe solos that, for the most part, fail to engage the listener." [9] The Daily Breeze determined that Albright "turns in softly percussive, overly slick readings of soul-jazz mood pieces... He ignores chances to improvise or offer inventive ideas." [16] The Charlotte Observer deemed the album "Albright's breakthrough work," writing that "it's obvious Albright has put a lot of energy into this effort." [14] The Buffalo News considered the music "full of slinky rhythms, gossamer textures and sensuous, lazy melodies." [12]
AllMusic called the album "a tasty if somewhat typical journey through the land of quiet storm and light funk." [13]
Smooth was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for "Best Jazz Album". [17]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Don't Worry About It" | Gerald Albright | 4:33 |
| 2. | "I Surrender" | Albright | 5:.50 |
| 3. | "Sweet Baby" | Albright, Arvel McClinton | 5:11 |
| 4. | "This Is for the Lover in You" | Howard Hewett, Dana Meyers | 4:44 |
| 5. | "G & Lee" | Albright | 6:31 |
| 6. | "Just 2 B with You" | Albright, Chuckii Booker | 5:08 |
| 7. | "Anniversary" | Raphael Saadiq, Carl Wheeler | 4:33 |
| 8. | "Passion" | Albright, Travon Potts | 6:21 |
| 9. | "Sedona" | Albright, Potts | 5:36 |
| 10. | "Say It with Feeling" | Albright | 5:36 |
Angela Winbush is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Angela Winbush, released on March 15, 1994, on Elektra Records. The album features two versions of the Marvin Gaye classic "Inner City Blues"; the album version and a radio edit.
The Rumour is the thirteenth studio album by Olivia Newton-John on 2 August 1988. The title track was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, features backing vocals and piano by John. The album featured the singles "The Rumour", "Can't We Talk It Over in Bed" and the Australian-only promo-single "It's Always Australia for Me", which was released for the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. This was also her first album not produced by long-time producer, John Farrar.
The Promise is the eighteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire released in May 2003 on Kalimba Music. The album peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart.
Lalah Hathaway is the debut studio album by American singer Lalah Hathaway. It was released by Virgin Records on June 29, 1990 in the United States.
Forever, for Always, for Luther, released on July 27, 2004, by GRP Records, is a smooth jazz various artists tribute album, with ten popular songs written by Luther Vandross. The album featured vocal arrangements by Luther, and was produced by Rex Rideout and Bud Harner.
Rock Solid is the 13th studio album by the Commodores, released in 1988. At this time in the band's career, hits were no longer forthcoming, and this album failed to enter the Billboard albums chart. The single, "Solitaire", reached No. 51 on the R&B chart. It is the last of the band's albums with keyboard player and founding member Milan Williams, who left after a dispute about playing in South Africa.
Inside is a studio album by David Sanborn, released through Elektra Records in 1999. In 2000, the album won Sanborn the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance.
Songs and Stories is a studio album by George Benson. The album was released by Concord on August 25, 2009. The album was produced by John Burk and Marcus Miller and featured a host of guest musicians.
New Beginnings is an album by Gerald Albright. It was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in 2007 which became his first nomination in that category in his music career.
24/7 is a collaboration album by Gerald Albright & Norman Brown. The album was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.
Sax for Stax is the thirteenth studio album by Saxophonist Gerald Albright issued in 2008 by Peak Records. The album rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, No. 7 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and No. 24 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Summer Horns is a collaboration album by Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair and Richard Elliot. It was released on May 7, 2013 via Concord Records. The album was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards losing to Steppin' Out by Herb Alpert.
Pushing the Envelope is the twelfth studio album by saxophone player Gerald Albright. It was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011.
Just Between Us is the debut album by jazz guitarist Norman Brown released in 1992 by Motown Records. The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.
Next Exit is a studio album by American jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. The album was released in 1992 on Columbia Records label. Next Exit includes composition "Summer Chill" which was co-written by his son and nominated for a Grammy.
That Secret Place is the tenth album by Patti Austin, released May 10, 1994.
Just Between Us is the debut album by Gerald Albright, released on October 27, 1987, by Atlantic Records.
Duke is the 27th studio album by American keyboardist and record producer George Duke. The single "T-Jam" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
Bermuda Nights is the second album by Gerald Albright, released in 1988 on Atlantic Records. The album reached No. 12 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.
Dream Come True is the third album by Gerald Albright, produced by Albright, and released in 1990 by Atlantic Records. It spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.