Boney James Ride CD

Jaheim,Dave Hollister,Trina Broussard

Personnel includes: Boney James (soprano & tenor saxophones, keyboards, vocoder, synthesizer, programming); Ian Prince (vocals, keyboards, programming); Jaheim, Trina Broussard, Sue Ann Carwell, Carl Carwell, Dave Hollister (vocals); Dan Higgins (tenor saxophone, flute); Jerry Hey (trumpet, flugelhorn); Bill Reichchenback (trombone); Rex Rideout (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); David "Kalid" Woods (keyboards, guitar, programming, background vocals); David Torkanowsky (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Charlie Singleton, Paul Jackson, Jr. (acoustic & electric guitars); Paul Brown, Rohn Lawrence (guitar); Alex Al, Marcus Miller, Larry Kimpel (bass); Ahmir Thompson (drums); Andy Narell (steel drums); Lenny Castro, Paulinho DaCosta (percussion).
Engineers: Paul Brown, Russell "The Dragon" Elevado, Don Murray.
Recorded at Funky Joint, Sherman Oaks, O'Henry Sound Studios & Alpha Studios, Burbank and Sunset Sound, Hollywood, California, and Electric Lady Studios, New York, New York.
RIDE was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
Personnel includes: Boney James (saxophone); Jaheim (vocals); Trina Broussard, Dave Hollister.
The masterful fusion of street funk, sensual R&B, and contemporary jazz that Boney James accomplishes on Ride continues to make him a favorite with listeners around the world. The multi-talented saxophonist, keyboardist, producer, and composer wrote or co-wrote nine of the songs for this ten-song program and features such stellar guest talent as Marcus Miller, R&B singer Jaheim on the title track, Dave Hollister's gospel-flavored street style heard on "Something Inside," and Trina Broussard's crystal-clear vocals on the opening track, "Heaven." Boney James recorded two of the songs live in the studio, seasons "This Is the Life" with a tropical flavoring complete with steel pans, and downright floors listeners on the groove-oriented "See What I'm Sayin'," with Marcus Miller's funky basslines doing the walking while Boney James' saxophone does the talking. Ride is more intense and funkier than James' duet collaboration with trumpeter Rick Braun on Shake It Up, but doesn't stray far from his ability to do just that. It's definitely a smooth ride and one listeners will enjoy. ~ Paula Edelstein
For his eighth release RIDE, jazzy saxophonist and keyboardist Boney James picks up where he left off navigating deftly from smooth jazz to R&B and back again. While loyal listeners will quickly recognize that they've been over Boney's familiar terrain before, smooth jazz fans will undoubtedly find this ride veering more deeply into rhythm-and-blues territory as James keeps a steady balance of both.
James gets things going right from the start with singer Trina Broussard's soulful vocals warmly inviting us to hop aboard on "Heaven." The journey picks up pace as it works it way through the jazzy "Grand Central" before stepping it up with "RPM," the CD's curiously aerobic-paced mover. With the help of R&B crooners Dave Hollister and Jahiem, James playfully steers listeners through pleasing melodic ballads before adding backbone to the upbeat "See What I'm Sayin'?" courtesy of bass mastermind and producer Marcus Miller. This ride saves the best for last with "This Is The Life," as Andy Narell's steel pans and Paulinho DaCosta's percussion add just the right amount of Caribbean flavor to the robust, jazzy closer.