Paul Brown: White Sand CD 2007 Guest-Al Jarreau, Boney James, Bobby Caldwell, Lina, Euge Groove, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Jesse J, & David Benoit

One of the leading contemporary jazz guitarists/producers in the world, Paul Brown makes his stunning debut on Peak Records with White Sand. Always residing on the top of the charts, the two-time Grammy® Award winning artist is joined by special guests; Al Jarreau, Boney James, Bobby Caldwell, Lina, Euge Groove, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Jesse J and David Benoit.

Track Listing

Product Reviews

Smooth jazz producer, arranger, and songwriter Paul Brown made the transition to recording artist with 2004's Up Front, which, like its successor, 2005's The City, was a Top Ten hit on the Contemporary Jazz chart. With a switch from GRP to Peak Records, Brown should continue his popular ways with his third solo album White Sand. He has enlisted more guests than usual this time, to the point that the disc is practically one of those "and friends" duets collections. Al Jarreau sings on "Make Me Feel So Good," Bobby Caldwell on a cover of "Mercy Mercy Mercy," and Lina on a cover of "I Say a Little Prayer." Among the star instrumentalists, Boney James is heard on "Ol' Skoolin'," David Benoit on "R 'n' B Bump," Euge Groove on "More or Less Paul," Rick Braun on "Mr. Cool," and saxophone newcomer Jessy J on the title track. The guests simply augment the contributions of the leader, however; Brown's guitar is a dominant instrument, and he has a vocal on a cover of "For What It's Worth." As the familiar titles indicate, he has taken inspiration from the '60s, but his rhythm tracks often have a current hip-hop sound, and the well-known lyrics and melodies will only serve to make the album more palatable for radio. Brown isn't interested in making any changes to smooth jazz except the occasional tweak to keep it sounding current, and this is another album that will please his own fans, and fans of the guest artists (whose discs were sometimes produced by him). ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi

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