It's Time

Performer: Michael Bublé
Engineer: Humberto Gatica; Al Schmitt; Jorge Vivo
Producer: David Foster; Humberto Gatica; Tommy LiPuma; David Foster; Humberto Gatica
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Michael Bubl� (vocals); Nelly Furtado (vocals); Brian Green, Brian Green (guitar, acoustic guitar); Heitor Teixeira Pereira, John Chiodini, Anthony Wilson (guitar); Brandon Jenner (acoustic guitar); Jeff Clayton , Keith Fiddmont (alto saxophone); Rickey Woodard, Charles Owens (tenor saxophone); Lee Callet (baritone saxophone); Gilbert Castellanos, Sal Cracchiolo, Kyle Palmer (trumpet); George Bohannon, Ira Nepus (trombone); Bill Reichenbach Jr. (bass trombone); David Foster (piano, keyboards); Tamir Hendelman (piano); Brian Bromberg (bass guitar); Frank Capp, Jeff Hamilton (drums); Neil Devor (programming); Dean Parks (guitar); Michael Thompson (electric guitar); Dan Higgins (flute, saxophone); Jochem van der Saag (harmonica, organ, programming); Chris Botti (trumpet); Randy Waldman, Alan Chang (piano); David Tull, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Rafael Padilla (percussion); Debbie Timuss (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Humberto Gatica; Al Schmitt. Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Chartmaker Studios; Henson Recording; Paramount Studios, Hollywood, CA; Record Plant; Signet Sound; Village Recorder, West Los Angeles, CA; Warner Bros. Sound Stage. Photographer: Olaf Heine. Arrangers: David Foster; John Clayton, Jr.; William Ross ; Don Sebesky; Jeremy Lubbock; Jerry Hey; Bill Holman. Although it took more than a year of concerts and promotional appearances, Michael Bubl�'s 2003 debut disc of swinging pop standards finally ascended the Billboard album chart and landed at number 47. That peak may not seem impressive at first, but in a musical world dominated by rap or the latest flavor of alternative rock, Bubl�'s upper chart appearance was a real accomplishment and it sparked a renewed interest in music associated with great vocalists like Frank Sinatra. With his second studio disc, It's Time, Bubl� builds upon the musical foundation he laid with his debut and demonstrates that he is much more than a flavor-of-the-month celebrity. Like his debut, It's Time mines the rich history of pop music as Bubl� applies his own technique to classic standards and incorporates his Rat Pack sound into modern pop songs. Other pop vocal giants have made attempts to reinterpret the pop songs of their day with appalling results (Mel Torm�'s version of "Sunshine Superman" comes to mind), but Bubl� has the knack for selecting the right songs that he can properly transform into edible works that avoid a cheesy aftertaste. Having a standard like "A Foggy Day (In London Town)" share space with the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" may seem like a lounge lizard joke waiting to happen, but the arrangements (most courtesy of producer David Foster) and performances are seamless. Therefore, the quiet groove of "I've Got You Under My Skin" can sit comfortable next to Bubl�'s smoky version of Leon Russell's "Song for You," featuring Chris Botti on trumpet. Perhaps it is due to this formula working so well that Bubl� has incorporated more of his unique takes on modern pop than on his debut. He even ventures into R&B territory with older hits like "Try a Little Tenderness" and "How Sweet It Is," all the while giving these songs a retro freshness that breathes new life into these gems. Pop starlet Nelly Furtado sounds lovely and elegant in the duet "Quando, Quando, Quando," while Bubl� ends the disc with a beautiful reading of Stevie Wonder's "You and I." Another positive step forward is the inclusion of the lovely original tune "Home," a somewhat autobiographical "too long on the road" song co-written by Bubl�. The success of this ballad provides yet another direction that he can explore and expand upon. Throughout the disc Bubl� emits the feeling that he loves these songs and truly enjoys what he is doing. He sounds pure of voice and pure of heart. Those are rare commodities in the recorded world and they, along with Bubl�'s talent and vision, help to make It's Time a wonderful listening experience. ~ Aaron Latham Michael Buble's third major US release (including the mostly live COME FLY WITH ME) stays on message--this young Canadian loves the lush, swaying music of his parents' and grandparents' generations. Buble's albums, however, are much more than mere back-in-the-day exercises. The production and arranging of David Foster (Celine Dion, Josh Groban) is eclectic in a way that firmly places the tunes at the dawn of the 21st century, and, more importantly, Buble possesses the chops and sense of style to re-imagine the adult-contemporary vocal genre in a distinctive manner. In addition to standards by Gershwin and Porter, Buble embraces a variety of sounds, from Motown ("How Sweet It Is") to bossa nova ("Quando, Quando, Quando" with Nelly Furtado) to the Beatles ("Can't Buy Me Love" with a "She Loves You" tag). With his smooth croon and charming persona, Buble is a natural performer, and, for fans of fearlessly romantic and infectiously swinging music, IT'S TIME is a sure bet.

JazzTimes (p.134) - "[T]errifically relaxed, genuinely hip..." Mojo (Publisher) (p.101) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[H]e's talented and he knows his stuff. He even creates something of his own on the original country-ish ballad 'Home' and the super-charged swing arrangement of 'Can't Buy Me Love'."

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