Larry Gold Presents Don Cello & Friends CD - Import

The concept behind Larry Gold Presents Don Cello and Friends isn't all that different from The Philadelphia Experiment or Quincy Jones albums like Back on the Block and Q's Jook Joint. Bringing together an impressive cast of soul legends and newer figures, Larry Gold -- the string arranger and cellist behind several Philly soul classics -- steps out from the background to produce this album with the help of several others. It's heavy on new versions of old songs, including a look at "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" (titled "No Stoppin'") that includes McFadden & Whitehead and a turn from the Roots' Black Thought. Though the younger contributors give the album a good supply of powerful energy, it's Bunny Sigler's turn on the modern-day quiet storm "Can I" that truly wows. It's a fine tribute to the still-active Gold, one of the many behind-the-scenes figures of '70s soul and disco that was as crucial to the songs -- if not more so -- than the vocalists in front of them. ~ Andy Kellman

Personnel includes: Larry Gold, Floetry, Kindred, Gerald Levert, McFadden & Whitehead, Eric Roberson, Bunny Sigler, Black Thought, Jaguar Wright.

Personnel: Tracey Harris, Candice Anderson (vocals); Randy Bowland (guitar, gut-string guitar); Ben Kenney (guitar, bass guitar); Joseph White, John Morgan (guitar); Chalmers Alford (guitars); Omar Edwards (piano, keyboards, Moog synthesizer); Kamal Gray (keyboards, drum programming); Parris Bowens, Eric Roberson, James Poyser (keyboards); Brian Legree (bass synthesizer); Justine Kolb, Derrick Hodge, Tye Tribbett (bass guitar); Brian Frasier, Ahmir Thomspon, Joe Blankley, George "Spanky" McCurdy (drums); Michael Boykin, Flemuel Brown (drum programming); King Islam, Cash Money (scratches); Sonnie Giddiens, Ty Tribbett, GA (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Larry Gold (cello); Fatin, Aja Dantzler, Marsha Ambroise, Cristal Oliver, Erro, Gene McFadden, Gerald LeVert, John Whitehead, Nanda, Jaguar Wright, Bunny Sigler, Carol Riddick (vocals); Kameelah Waheed, Black Thought (rap vocals); Natalie Stewart (spoken vocals); Floetry, Kindred the Family Soul.

Uncut (9/03, p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...This love letter to Philly soul features a host of guest vocalists....Gorgeous..."