The Promise by Kirk Whalum (CD, Apr-1989, Columbia (USA))

Album Features
UPC:	074644521528
Artist:	Kirk Whalum
Format:	CD
Release Year:	1989
Record Label:	Columbia (USA)
Genre:	Jazz Instrument, Saxophone

Track Listing
1. I Recieve Your Love
2. N.E. Wind
3. Promise, The
4. Ma Foi
5. L.C.'s Back
6. Desparately
7. Out-A-Hand
8. Don't Even Look
9. For All We Know - (bonus track)

Details
Playing Time:	51 min.
Contributing Artists:	Larry Carlton, Bob James, Abraham Laboriel, Abraham Laboriel Sr., Steve Khan
Producer:	Bob James, Jerry Peters
Distributor:	Sony Music Distribution (
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	AAD

Album Notes
Personnel: Kirk Whalum (saxophone); Darryl Phinnessee, Dorian Holly, Syreeta (vocals); Dean Brown , Larry Carlton, Paul Jackson, Jr. , Steve Khan (guitar); Bob James (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Jerry Peters (keyboards, programming); Diane Louie, Max Risenhoover (synthesizer, programming); Herman Matthews (drums); Leonard "Doc" Gibbs (percussion).Audio Mixer: Joe Jorgensen.Recording information: Bear Tracks Studio, Suffern, NY; Peace In The Valley Studio, South Pasadena, CA; Remidi Studios, Ardsley-On-Hudson, NY.Photographer: Hans Neleman.Unknown Contributor Role: Joe Jorgensen.Bob James gets the credit for discovering the passionate, soulful sax of Whalum in 1984. But you just know that a talent this size would have emerged on its own sooner or later. Between then and this release at the end of the decade, Whalum established himself as a major force on the contemporary scene, playing alongside the likes of James, Luther Vandross, Al Jarreau, and Larry Carlton, and releasing two powerful solo discs, 1985's Floppy Disk and 1988's And You Know That. But this third effort was his strongest outing to date, displaying a versatility which ranges from spiritual ("The Promise") to Brazilian (the tropical flavored "Desperately") to straight ahead rock & roll (the Larry Carlton tribute "LC's Back," which features the fancy licks of the guitarist himself). As producer, James gives his protégé's horn some fanciful grooves to work in and out of, most notably on the catchy, pop-like "Out a Hand." James also has a good time soloing on "Desperately" and the bass oriented "Don't Even Look." There are a lot of possible favorites in this collection, but the Carlton tribute is the one that hooks you from the very beginning. With this album, Whalum delivered in spades upon his early promise. ~ Jonathan Widran