David Sanborn - Upfront

Directly following his adventurous Another Hand, some listeners were disappointed with the fact that David Sanborn did not permanently switch from r&b/crossover to creative jazz. However, Upfront is generally quite appealing and takes some chances within its genre. Although bassist Marcus Miller is once again an important collaborator, the emphasis is on "real" instruments, most notably the organ of Ricky Peterson. Other musicians in the backup groups include John Purcell on various reeds, trumpeter Randy Brecker, drummer Steve Jordan and guest Eric Clapton, who takes a guitar solo on "Full House." The most unusual selection is the final cut, a version of Ornette Coleman's "Ramblin'" that finds Sanborn, Miller, Peterson and Jordan joined by the avant-garde trumpeter Herb Robertson. Overall, this is an above-average effort from the highly influential altoist. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Name Credits Arno Hecht Sax (Tenor) Art Baron Trombone Art Smith Drum Technician Ava Gardner Vocals Barry Campbell Vocals Becky Anderson Vocals Bibi Green Production Coordination, Vocals Bob Funk Trombone Bob Ludwig Mastering Chris Albert Assistant Engineer, Engineer Chris Alberts Vocals Chris Bruce Guitar Cornell Dupree Guitar Crispin Cioe Sax (Baritone) Dave Bargeron Tuba, Trombone David Sanborn Sopranino, Vocals, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano) Don Alias Percussion, Vocals, Conga Earl Gardner Trumpet Eric Clapton Soloist, Guitar Herb Robertson Trumpet Hiram Bullock Guitar Hollywood Paul Litteral Trumpet Jason Miles Programming, ? Joe Ferla Mixing, Engineer John Purcell ?, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone, Flute (Alto), Saxello Laurie Frink Trumpet Lenny Pickett Horn Arrangements, Arranger, Sax (Tenor) Lynn Goldsmith ?, Portraits Manny Castillo Vocals Marcus Miller Horn Arrangements, Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals, Clarinet (Bass), Arranger, Guitar (Bass), Keyboards, Bass, Guitar Michael White Assistant Engineer Naná Vasconcelos Percussion Randy Brecker Trumpet Richard Tee Organ (Hammond) Ricky Peterson Organ (Hammond), Piano Robert Lewis Photography Shannon Carr Engineer, Assistant Engineer Stan Harrison Sax (Alto) Steve Byram Design, Artwork Steve Ferrone Vocals Steve Harrison Sax (Alto) Steve Jordan Timbales, Vocals, Drums Susan Brown-Silag Vocals Tommy LiPuma Vocals Uptown Horns Arranger, Horn Arrangements William Patterson Wah Wah Guitar, Vocals, Guitar (Rhythm)