Darius Rucker Back To Then CD

Unlike the rustic roots-rock fodder Darius Rucker has become known for as frontman for Hootie & The Blowfish, his debut BACK TO THEN has its roots in the R&B he was exposed to by his mom as a kid growing up in South Carolina. To that end, Rucker signed on to neo-soul diva Jill Scott's Hidden Beach imprint and delivers 13 soulful cuts that include "Sometimes I Wonder," a breathy duet with Scott (who the genial singer describes as his Tammi Terrell).

In keeping with the album's overall theme, Rucker includes a cover of Al Green's "I'm Glad You're Mine" dedicated to his late mother Carolyn and packed with the perfect combination of snappy rhythms, laid-back horn arrangements and subtle phrasing that would do Willie Mitchell and Reverend Green proud. Other songs of note include the hand-in-glove Snoop Dogg duet "Sleeping In My Bed," the mellow, horn-driven "Wild One," and a raw, goosebump-inducing a cappella reading of "Amazing Grace" that segues into the lush gospel crossover workout "Somewhere." Hootie fans will be interested to check out Rucker's testifying throughout "Ten Years," the final say on a failed relationship first chronicled on the 1995 hit "Let Her Cry."

Includes liner notes by Steve McKeever.

Hootie/Blowfish Lead Singer. Guests:Lil Mo,Snoop,Jill Scott

Personnel: Darius Rucker (vocals, background vocals); Jill Scott, Snoop Dogg (vocals); Jay Williams, Keith Henderson, Rick Williams (guitar); Erik Sayles (acoustic guitar); Emma Kummrow (violin); Davis A. Barnett (viola); Larry Gold (cello); Andy Snitzer (alto saxophone); Jeff Kievit, Jim Hynes (trumpet); Ivan Dupée (Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, organ, synthesizer, programming, drum programming); Keith Pelzer (Fender Rhodes piano); Byron Williams (organ); Vidal Davis (drums); Edward "DJ Eddie F" Ferrell, Gus Rickette, Darrin Lightly (drum programming); Darrell "Delite" Allamby, Eric Roberson, Daniel Johnson , Gwenita Jackson, Jimmy Cozier, Kipper Jones, Lil' Mo, Antoinette Roberson, Ryan Toby, Vivian Green, Woody Harrelson (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Ivan Dupée; Dave Way; Jacob Robinson; Jeeve; Rob Chiarelli.

Liner Note Author: Steve McKeever.

Recording information: A Touch Of Jazz Studios, Philadelphia, PA; Chung King Studios, NY; Dp Studios, Chicago, IL; Ghetto Pop Studios; Pacifique, West Hollywood, CA; Quad Studios, Nashville, TN; Sony Studios, New York, NY; Soundtrack Studios, NY; Where's My Cut Studio, Los Angeles, CA.

Photographer: Stephen Danelian.

Unknown Contributor Role: Shawn Hibbler.

Arrangers: Edward "DJ Eddie F" Ferrell; Darrin Lightly.

Personnel includes: Darius Rucker, Jill Scott, Snoop Dogg, Daniel Johnson (vocals); Eric Sayles, Jay Williams (acoustic guitar); Rick Williams (guitar, bass); Keith Henderson (guitar); Olga Konopelsky, Emma Kummrow, Paul Riezer (violin); Davis Barnett (viola); Andy Snitzer (saxophone); Mike Davis (trombone); Jim Hynes (trumpet); Ivan Dupee (Fender Rhodes piano, clavinet, organ, synthesizer, bass, programming); Keith Pelzer (Fender Rhodes piano); Terry Tribet, Ethan Farmer (bass); Vidal Davis (drums); Vivian Green, Eric Roberson, Kipper Jones, Lil Mo, Greg Tepperman, Musiq (background vocals).

Producers include: Vidal Davis, Andre "Dirty" Harris, Travis House, Jeeve, Jazz Nixon.