Track Listing:
I Like It Like That {Richard Mazda, Alfred Ellis} 4:13
Homeboy {Maceo Parker} 5:05
Push {R Mazda, Fred Wesley, M Parker, A Ellis} 4:34
Evening In New York {R Mazda, F Wesley, M Parker, A Ellis} 4:22
What Goes Around {R Mazda, F Wesley, M Parker, A Ellis} 5:15
Chillin' With Fred {R Mazda, F Wesley, M Parker, A Ellis} 6:32
Picture On The Wall {A Ellis} 4:21
Bop U {F Wesley} 4:51
"I Like It Like That"
Background Vocals: Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
Tenor Sax: Pee Wee Ellis
Bass, Drums, Samples, Programs, Synth: Richard Mazda
Vocals: Jaye Ella Ruth
Spoken Vocal: Laura Jane Mazda
London Overdubs:
Additional Programming: Ali Stanton, John Green
Live Kit Drums: Crispin Taylor
Bass: Gram Silbiger
Percussion: Jeff Scantlebury
Rhodes: John Green
"Homeboy"
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Alto Sax, Organ, Piano: Maceo Parker
Tenor Sax: Pee Wee Ellis
Bass & Drum Programs, Groove Piano: Richard Mazda
London Overdubs:
Additional Programming: Ali Stanton, John Green
"Push"
Lead Vocals: Maceo Parker, Richard Mazda
Background Vocals: Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, Richard Mazda
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
Tenor Sax: Pee Wee Ellis
Guitar, Organ, Bass: Richard Mazda
London Overdubs:
Additional Programming: Ali Stanton, John Green
Clavinet: John Green
Live Kit Drums: Crispin Taylor
Bass: Gram Silbiger
Percussion: Jeff Scantlebury
Fender Rhodes: Gary Moberly
"Evening In New York"
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
Tenor Sax: Pee Wee Ellis
Bass, Drum Programs, Piano, Samples: Richard Mazda
London Overdubs:
Additional Programming: Ali Stanton, John Green
Clavinet: John Green
Percussion: Thomas Dyani Akuru
"What Goes Around"
Background Vocals: Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, Richard Mazda
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
Tenor Sax: Pee Wee Ellis
Rap, Guitar, Bass, Drum Programs: Richard Mazda
London Overdubs:
Additional Programming: Ali Stanton
Bass: Gram Silbiger
Percussion: Jeff Scantlebury
Fender Rhodes: John Green
Chorus, Chant Vocals: The McKoy Family (Noel, Robin & Cornell)
"Chillin' With Fred"
Background Vocals: Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis
Piano, Trombone: Fred Wesley
Alto Sax, Hammond Organ: Maceo Parker
Tenor Sax: Pee Wee Ellis
Rap, Bass, Drum Programs, Guitar: Richard Mazda
London Overdubs:
Additional Programming: Ali Stanton, John Green
Bass: Gram Silbiger
Shakers, Cabasa: Jeff Scantlebury
Live Kit Drums: Crispin Taylor
Percussion: Thomas Dyani Akuru
"Picture On The Wall"
Trombone: Fred Wesley
Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
Tenor Sax, Organ, Synth: Pee Wee Ellis
Drum & Bass Programs: Richard Mazda
London Overdubs:
Additional Programming: Ali Stanton, John Green
"Bop U"
Background Vocals: Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, Richard Mazda
Trombone, Bass Scat Vocal 1: Fred Wesley
Alto Sax, Scat Vocal 2: Maceo Parker
Tenor Sax, Scat Vocal 3: Pee Wee Ellis
Bass & Drum Programs: Richard Mazda
London Overdubs:
Samples, Rhodes: Ali Stanton, John Green
Rating: RC: ***1/2
Comments:TK: The album was originally released in 1992 on the Nippon label in Japan and contained a remix of the title tune.
RC: This album is billed as 'acid jazz', and if that's defined by hard-funkin' horns combined with modern beats, then this is certainly it. But it certainly doesn't fall into the usual image of acid jazz, as being sort of mellow and ambient. This is anything but mellow; in fact, it's easily the most lively of the JB Horns albums. Part of the reason the formula works so well here is that the drum programs are fortified with traditional funky instruments like the clavinet and Fender Rhodes. And Maceo himself gets down on the Hammond organ on several occasions in addition to blowing his horn. I would definitely recommend this CD to any Funkateer who loves hearing Maceo, Fred and Pee Wee blow their horns, particularly if they don't mind a little of that hip-hop flavor. It's a little less organic-sounding than their usual works, so jazz-oriented Funkateers might balk at the album's overall sound. It's slick, but not so slippery that you can't get both hands on the funk.
"I Like It Like That" is typical of the rest of the album. It's a dance funker that combines beats, a good bass groove and great horn lines to produce a party. Note the bits of "Cold Sweat" thrown in from time to time. "Homeboy" has more solid beats and Maceo's funky organ playing. "Push" features a grooving bass and some more great horn lines. Maceo is particularly hot on "Evening In New York", a slower tune with icy-cool horn lines. The clavinet's presence is strongly felt. Maceo strikes again on "What Goes Around", with references made to other P.Funk songs. "Chillin' With Fred" is my favorite track, a slow, hot tune with more funky organ playing. "Picture On The Wall" is the album's weak track, where the accompaniment is just too mellow. But "Bop U" closes things out nicely, a fun funk romp that sounds like the other fast funkers here.
This album is in print, but might be hard to find. A good CD store should have it or be able to order it.