Invitation Only

Performer: Will Downing
Artist: Norman Brown; Yellowjackets; Gerald Albright; Marcus Miller; Jonathan Butler; Luis Conte; Kirk Whalum; Paul Jackson, Jr.
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Will Downing, Tanya Smith, Audrey Wheeler (vocals); Jonathan Butler, Ira Siegel (acoustic guitar); Norman Brown (electric guitar); Michael Thompson, Chiele Minnucci, Binky Brice, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar); Gerald Albright (saxophone, bass); Kirk Whalum, Art Porter (saxophone); Ronnie Foster (piano, Fender Rhodes, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Rex Rideout (Fender Rhodes, keyboards, programming); Daryl Simmons (keyboards, percussion, drum programming); Mack 96 (keyboards, programming); Peter Lord (keyboards); Dave Carpenter (acoustic bass); Ronnie Garrett (bass, background vocals); Jerry Brooks, David Metcen, James Genus, Marcus Miller (bass); Will Kennedy, Harvey Mason (drums); Luis Conte (percussion); Yellowjackets. Producers: Ronnie Foster, Darryl Simmons, Will Downing, Rex Rideout, Ronnie Garrett, The Family Stand. Engineers include: Woody Woodruff, Ronnie Foster, Thom "TK" Kidd, Will Downing, Rich Travali. Includes liner notes by Will Downing. Personnel: Will Downing (vocals, background vocals); Tanya Smith , Audrey Wheeler (vocals, background vocals); Chieli Minucci, Binky Bryce, Michael Thompson, Mike Campbell , Paul Jackson, Jr. , Rohn Lawrence (guitar); Ira Siegel, Jonathan Butler (acoustic guitar); Norman Brown (electric guitar); Gerald Albright, Art Porter (saxophone); Russell Ferrante (piano); Rex Rideout (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, programming); MACK Ninety Six (keyboards, drums, drum programming); Daryl Simmons (keyboards, percussion, drum programming); Peter Lord (keyboards); Dave Carpenter (acoustic bass); Harvey Mason, Sr. , William Kennedy, Buddy Williams (drums); Daryl Garrett, Luis Conte, Sammy Figueroa, Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Maxayn Lewis, Cindy Mizelle, Fonzi Thornton, Dwight Thompson, Goodfellaz, James "D-Train" Williams , Katreese Barnes, Marva King, Antoinette Roberson, Ronnie Foster, Ronnie Garrett (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Don Murray ; Jon Gass; Alec Head; Peter Moshay; Thom "TK" Kidd. Recording information: Bimmer Studios, Thousand Oaks, CA; Cherokee, l Ain Bou Kellal; Chung King, New York, NY; Silent Sound Recording Studios, Atlanta, GA. Photographer: Carol Friedman. Unknown Contributor Roles: Gerald Albright; Jonathan Butler; Kirk Whalum; Alex Bugnon; Norman Brown. Arrangers: Rex Rideout; Ronnie Foster; Will Downing. Invitation Only is another typically tasteful and accomplished set of smooth jazz and urban R&B from Will Downing, who has recorded with a diverse set of musicians -- including Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler and the Yellowjackets -- in support. The album is divided between standards, quiet storm R&B and new contemporary R&B. While there are still a few slow spots on the record where the style takes precedent over the material, Invitation Only once again confirms that Will Downing has such a rich, deep talent that he should be a much bigger star than he is. ~ Leo Stanley

Vibe (12/97-1/98, p.181) - "...Downing paints a seductive picture of a romantic moment...tells you a sweet story about lost love...and reveals his `secret' desires..."

An often-underrated R&B/soul vocalist, Will Downing began his career in the 1980s appearing on various albums by hitmakers of the era, and finally hit an impressive streak of albums for the GRP label, starting in 2002 with SENSUAL JOURNEY. Anchored in a vintage 1970s sound that never feels forced, the Brooklyn-based singer uses his expressive, deep voice to relate intriguing tales of romance. Frequently aiding Downing is smooth-jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright, who has proven to be a perfect foil for the sensitive crooner.

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