Various Artists - The Best of Smooth Jazz, Vol. 2 [Warner]

The definition of smooth jazz has never been close to concrete, but this Warners collection stretches the boundaries with tracks by Fourplay, Michael McDonald, Take 6, and Randy Crawford in addition to regulars like David Sanborn, Bob James, Pat Metheny, and George Benson. All of the tracks do work well together, though, creating an easy-listening collection with warmth and emotions galore. ~ Keith Farley, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Jarreau Performer, Vocals Al Turner Bass Alex Al Fender Jazz Bass, ? Bashiri Johnson Percussion Billy Higgins Drums Boney James Arranger, Producer, Wurlitzer, Performer, Sax (Soprano) Brad Mehldau Piano, Performer Buddy Williams Drums Buster Maybury Drums Chris Walker Bass (Electric), Arranger Claude V. McKnight III Vocals, Arranger Courtlen Hale Saxophone Dan Shea Keyboards, Arranger, Programming Daryl Burgee Drums, Percussion David I. II Ward Keyboard Programming David Sanborn Saxophone, Performer, Sax (Alto) David Torkanowsky Keyboards Don Sebesky String Arrangements, Conductor Earl Klugh Guitar, Producer, Performer Eddie Howard, Jr. Piano El DeBarge Performer Eric Gale Synthesizer, Guitar Esther Ridgeway Vocals (Background) Fourplay Performer Frank Floyd Vocals (Background) George Benson Vocals, Guitar, Performer Gracie Ridgeway Vocals (Background) Greg Curtis Keyboards Greg Phillinganes Synthesizer, String Arrangements Gregory Hutchinson Drums Hans Neleman Photography Harvey Mason, Sr. Drums Hilary James Rhythm Arrangements, Performer, String Arrangements, Programming James Weidman Arranger Jeff Bova Keyboards Jeff Carruthers Keyboards, Arranger, Drum Programming Jimmy Bralower ? Jimmy Maelen Percussion Joe Sample ? Jorge Dalto Keyboards, Piano Jorge Rossy Drums Joshua Redman Performer, Sax (Tenor) Keith Blake Digital Mastering Kevin Mahogany Performer, Vocals Kirk Whalum Sax (Tenor), Performer, Saxophone Larry Goldings Organ (Hammond) Larry Grenadier Bass Lenny Castro Percussion, Cymbals, Triangle Linda Cobb Design, Art Direction Lucio Hopper Bass Luther Vandross Vocals (Background) Manu Katche Drums Marcus Miller Producer, Bass, Keyboards, Guitar (Electric) Mark Whitfield Performer, Guitar Matt Pierson Producer, Compilation Producer Maxayn Lewis Vocals Michael Colina Producer Michael J. Powell Percussion, Rhythm Arrangements, Guitar Michael McDonald Performer Pat Metheny Performer, Guitar Paul Brown Arranger, Producer Paul D. Allen Percussion Programming Paul Jackson, Jr. Synthesizer, Guitar Paulinho Da Costa Percussion Peter Bernstein Guitar Phil Upchurch Guitar (Rhythm) Ralph MacDonald Conga, Percussion Randy Crawford Vocals, Performer Randy Kerber Keyboards Ray Bardani Producer Richard Tee Keyboards Robben Ford Guitar Rodney Whitaker Bass Ronnie Foster Keyboards Russ Titelman Producer Stanley Banks Bass Steve Gadd Drums Take 6 Performer, Producer Tawatha Agee Vocals (Background) Tommy LiPuma Producer Tony Maiden Vocals, Guitar Vernon D. Fails Rhythm Arrangements, Keyboards Vivian Cherry Vocals (Background) Yvonne Lewis Vocals (Background)