Ecstasy's Dance: The Best Of Narada Michael Walden CD

There's no denying Narada Michael Walden's drumming chops, but he's also a very talented hitmaker as well. Since the '70s, he's scored several R&B hits as a solo artist, and is a top session musician to this day. He's played with the best (Jeff Beck, Kenny G., Mariah Carey, and Aretha Franklin) and has dabbled in just about every musical form -- dance, rock, fusion, soul, etc. Rhino has compiled the best of Walden's solo work, entitled Ecstasy's Dance: The Best of Narada Michael Walden, which showcases his many talents. Highlights include his two Top Ten R&B hits, "I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You)" and "I Shoulda Loved Ya," as well as the outstanding album tracks "Delightful" and "The Awakening." Other minor hits are also represented, such as "The Real Thang," "Divine Emotions," and a discofied version of the Holland/Dozier/Holland classic "Reach Out." Also included are nicely assembled and informative liner notes, as well as a message from Walden himself. ~ Greg Prato

Includes liner notes by A. Scott Galloway.

Personnel: Narada Michael Walden (vocals, piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, tambourine, timbales, timpani, percussion); Norma Jean Bell (vocals, saxophone); Patti Austin (vocals, background vocals); Patti Scialfa, Will Lee (vocals); Corrado Rustici (guitar, midi guitar, cowbells, background vocals); Kenny Mazur, Hiram Bullock, Jay Graydon, Joaquin Lievano, Pat Thrall, Ray Gomez, Carlos Santana (guitar); Preston Glass (acoustic guitar, keyboards); Louis Colin (harp); David Sancious (electric sitar, Fender Rhodes piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizer, kalimba); Wayne Wallace (tamboura, tenor trombone); Lakshminarayana Shankar (electric violin); Mike Gibbs (strings); Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone); Marc Russo (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); George Young (alto saxophone); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Dave Grover, Bill Lamb (trumpet, slide trumpet, flugelhorn); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Frank Martin (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Greg Phillinganes, Sonny Burke (piano); Cliff Carter (Clavinet, organ); Walter Afanasieff (keyboards, synthesizer); Randy Jackson (bass synthesizer); Sammy Figueroa (congas); Ray Pyle (cymbals); Zakir Hussain (tabla); Raphael Cruz (triangle); Airto Moreira (percussion); Bob Smith (drum programming); Claytoven Richardson, Cheryl Alexander, Carla Vaughn, Kelly Kool, Ellen DeLeston, Nuhad Saba Martin, Dee Dee Dickerson, Christine Faith, Jeanie Tracy, Jim Gilstrap, John Lehman, Lauren Carter, Vicki Randle, Myrna Matthews (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: David Frazer; Jerry Smith; Allen Sides; Bob Clearmountain.

Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.

Liner Note Author: A. Scott Galloway.

Recording information: Crystal Sound.

Photographers: Victoria Pearson; Norman Seeff; Loren Hammer; Bhashwar Lloyd Hart.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Corrado Rustici; Frankie Beverly; Danny Noe; Mitchell Froom; Narada Michael Walden; Sammy Figueroa; Raphael Cruz.

Arrangers: George DelBarrio; Mike Gibbs; Narada Michael Walden.