Saxophonist Gerald Albright “Pushing The Envelope” Is Out
Jun 16th, 2010 by Bilal Ali
Smooth Jazz Network
Smooth jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright’s latest CD, Pushing the Envelope, is available (June 15). It’s his follow-up to 2008’s Grammy-nominated Sax for Stax. Pushing the Envelope features guest appearances by Fred Wesley on trombone, Earl Klugh on acoustic guitar and George Duke on acoustic piano. Albright’s band on most of the album includes keyboardists Tracy Carter and Luther “Mano” Hanes, guitarist Ricky Watford and drummer Ricky Lawson.
Produced and arranged by Albright, Pushing The Envelope showcases Albright’s many skills. He plays soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, flutes, bass guitar and keyboards. He also handles synthesizer, EWI (electric wind instrument) and drum programming.
In addition to eight Albright originals, Pushing The Envelope offers two cover tunes: a new take on Michael Jackson and Louis Johnson’s “Get On The Floor,” and Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Close To You.” Albright’s daughter, Selina, sings on both tracks.
Original titles include “Highway 70,” “Bobo’s Groove,” “Capetown Strut,” “I Found the Klugh” and “The Road to Peace (A Prayer for Haiti).”
On June 26, Albright resumes the Guitars and Saxes tour with Peter White, Kirk Whalum and Jeff Golub.