V I P Club Urban Life CD

Despite a drum machine-heavy production style, Urban Life, the second release by fusion supergroup V.I.P. Club, succeeds in no small way due to the organic '70s soul-oriented songwriting by Wolfgang Haffner. Haffner's songs combine the funky, disco-oriented pop melodies of groups such as Earth, Wind & Fire and the Crusaders with a contemporary, European production style not unlike the Brand New Heavies. Although these are primarily instrumental jams, background vocals are heard on a few tracks, drawing out the melodic lines and making for a very listenable session. The tracks also benefit greatly from the presence of trumpeter Till Bronner, whose fuzzy, warm, and lithe tone is reminiscent of Chet Baker and Eddie Henderson. Another standout addition is the trombone of Fred Wesley, featured on the Pleasure-ific title track. Other major guest players include Bob James, Chuck Loeb, and Roy Ayers. ~ Matt Collar

2nd Rel;Bob James,Chuck Loeb, Roy Ayers,Jay Beckenstein++

Audio Mixer: Phil Magnotti.

Recording information: 39th Street Music, New York, NY; Automative Recording, Irvington, NY; Bam Bam Music, Berlin, Germany; Doctor Tong's Evil House Of Waffles, New York, NY; Hansa House, Bonn, Germany; Kaptn Studios, Munich, Germany; Mehmet Ergin Studio, Hamburg, Germany; Remidi Studios, Dobbs Ferry, NY; Rush Hour Studio, Altdorf, Germany; Showerhead Studio A+B, Los Angeles, CA; T-House Studio, Bussum, The Netherlands.

The V.I.P. Club includes: Jay Beckenstein (soprano saxophone); Pee Wee Ellis (tenor saxophone); Fred Wesley (trombone); Roy Ayers (vibraphone); Bob James (piano); Chuck Loeb (guitar); Will Lee (bass); Wolfgang Haffner (percussion).

Personnel: Roberto Di Gioia (vocals, guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, synthesizer); Chuck Loeb, Peter Tiehuis (guitar); Peter O'Mara (wah-wah guitar); Tony Lakatos (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Jay Beckenstein (soprano saxophone); Ian Hendrickson-Smith (alto saxophone); Pee Wee Ellis (tenor saxophone); Till Brönner (trumpet, flugelhorn); Andy Haderer (trumpet); Fred Wesley, Ludwig Gotz, Nils Landgren (trombone); Mitchel Forman (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Bob James (piano); Eythor Gunnarsson (keyboards, synthesizer); Wolfgang Haffner (keyboards, drums); Roy Ayers (vibraphone); David Charles, Marcio Doctor (percussion); Eddie Greene , Carmen Cuesta (background vocals).