In the six years that passed after the release of 1999's A DAY IN THE LIFE, Eric Benet's very public marriage and painful breakup with Halle Berry ended up overshadowing the Milwaukee native's skills as a talented, soulful singer-songwriter. Not surprisingly, HURRICANE uses Benet's recent turmoil to fuel songs touching on the crooner's dark and troubled times. But rather than go down the more accusatory path of musical retribution (as the late Marvin Gaye did on 1978's HERE MY DEAR), Benet looks inward throughout these 14 cuts.
The tone is immediately set with the stripped-down, gospel-flavored opener "Be Myself Again," with its message of inner renewal, and producer Hod David's acoustic-guitar accompaniment adding a very Bill Withers-esque vibe to the proceedings. From here, Benet seeks redemption (the lush "My Prayer"), reveals his vulnerable side (a serene "Man Enough to Cry"), and yearns for love (slow jam "I Wanna Be Loved"). Most impressive is the ethereal "India," a song for the singer's daughter that tells of her inspiration amid dreamy pedal steel, deftly plucked acoustic guitar, and a muted Chris Botti trumpet solo.
Recording information: Bowery Digital; Chalice Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Chartmaker Studios; Drew's Groove Studios, Nashville, TN; Eastman Scoring Stage, Burbank, CA; Hit Factory, New York, NY; Jade Studios; Jupiter Studios, Franklin, TN; Ocean Way Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Panic Room; Soundstage Studio, Nashville, TN; The Studio; Warner Bros. Sound Stage; Westlake Audio.
Arrangers: Walter Afanasieff; Dave Foster ; Van Dyke Parks; William Ross .
Personnel: Eric Benét (vocals, bass voice, percussion); Eric Benét (bass instrument); Dean Parks, Spanky Alford, Andy Duncan, Tim Pierce (guitar); Michael Landau (electric guitar); Lucia Micarelli (violin); Larry Corbett (cello); Norbert Stachel (saxophone); Frank Lacy, Jacques Schwarz-Bart (horns); Shannon Sanders (piano, organ, synthesizer, programming); Walter Afanasieff (keyboards, programming); Dave Foster , David Foster (keyboards); Pino Palladino (bass instrument); Anthony Johnson , Dan Needham (drums); Juan Patino (percussion); Emanuel Kiriakou, Jochem van der Saag (programming); Hod David (guitar, drums); Jef Lee Johnson, Randall Bowland (guitar); Chris Botti (trumpet); Demonté Posey (organ, keyboards); James Poyser (keyboards); Brian Frazier Moore, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums).
Audio Mixers: Hod David; Humberto Gatica; Andy Duncan; Patrick Woodward; Kevin "KD" Davis; Manny Marroquin; F. Reid Shippen; Juan Patino.
Mojo (Publisher) (p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[T]his is a very palatable collection of self-penned confessional songs..."
Eric Benet; Demonte Posey; Walter Afanasieff; Hod David; Humberto Gatica; George Nash, Jr.; Shannon Sanders; Andy Duncan; Dave Foster; Michael Carney; David Foster; Eric Benet; Demonte Posey; Walter Afanasieff; Hod David; Humberto Gatica; George Nash, Jr.; Drew Ramsey; Shannon Sanders; Michael Carney; Andy Duncan
Engineer
Humberto Gatica; Andy Duncan; Joe Wohlmuth; Pat Woodward; Csaba Petocz; Danny Duncan; John Sneltz; Andrew Wyatt; Emanuel Kiriakou; Neil Devor; Mike O'Connor; B. Steven; Alejandro Rodriguez; Jorge Vivo
Hurricane Album of the Year I had never heard Eric Benet's music befor this album. His music is true to the heart, capitvating, sensual just a really, really fantastic album. He has a couple of tunes that reminds me of Jonathan Butler & Howard Hewett, both of whom I wish could do some music with Mr. Benet. This album should be the album of the year... If they had 10 stars I'd give this one a 12. I'm going out to buy his previous CD's. Submitted by Anreyea (Washington, DC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Okay... I really like track two. The rest of this cd is okay. Nothing great. Submitted by doublea42 (Kandahar, Afghanistan) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Hurricane This is a well done CD in my opinion. He has been away for awhile and this CD tells his stories. I recommend this CD. Submitted by sankofa (Rockford, IL) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
a Million STARS I just bought this after lazy procrastination. Eric Benet is amazing and reminiscient of the GREAT Smokey, Stevie, Larry Graham~~~~this brotha should be doing concerts, live T.V. performances etcetera. Also, he is very nice to look at!!!Love ya man, hotep~~~~ Submitted by judycarr2000 (california) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
I LOVE IT!!! I loved this album. I really enjoyed listening to every song on it. Usually it's just one or two song on a CD I like, but this whole album was a hit. Every song made me want to hear more. I can't wait to hear the next album. Again this was a really good album. Submitted by saudia07 (Cleveland, Ohio) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Hurricane Album of the Year
Okay...
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