The Neville Brothers - Uptown Rulin': The Best of the Neville Brothers

The Neville Brothers had always been critic's favorites, but never more so than during their tenure at A&M Records during the late '80s and early '90s. They released their first album, Yellow Moon, for the label in 1989, a few years after the acclaimed Rhino compilation Treacherous: A History of the Neville Brothers appeared on the shelves. Treacherous contained selections from all the Neville Brothers -- not just group recordings but side-projects and solo cuts -- and helped cement their reputation among record collectors and critics, which in turn set the stage for the enthusiastic reception of Yellow Moon. That enthusiasm failed to wane over the next few years, as each subsequent album was greeted by critics with open arms. The problem was, each record was pretty much the same. With producer Daniel Lanois, the Nevilles attempted to create grand, mythical albums, heavy with import and meaning. Lanois didn't abandon his trademark hazy, murkily mysterious production -- a style that wasn't necessarily suited for the organic Nevilles, even if it did result in some evocative sonic hybrids. Consequently, each of the A&M albums functioned best as a series of moments, even if they were designed to work as individual albums (the prototype, Yellow Moon, unsurprisingly standing as the lone exception to the rule). That's why Uptown Rulin': The Best Of is a solid addition to their catalog. By collecting highlights from the A&M albums, it offers fans a good summary of these intriguing but mixed years. It isn't on the same level as Treacherous or its sequel, but it's a nice addendum to fans of that groundbreaking compilation. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Aaron Neville Percussion, Vocals, Keyboards Aashid Himmons Keyboards Amadee Castenell, Jr. Saxophone Andy McKaie Producer, Compilation Art Neville Keyboards, Vocals, Organ Brian Stoltz Guitar, Vocals (Background), Percussion Carl Blouin Sax (Baritone) Charles Neville Vocals, Keyboards, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Percussion Charmaine Neville Vocals (Background) Cissy Houston Vocals (Background), Vocal Arrangement Curtis Watson Trumpet Cyril Neville Percussion, Vocals, Keyboards, Hand Drums Dana Smart Coordination Daniel Lanois Producer Dann Huff Guitar (Electric) Darryl Johnson Bass, Vocals (Background), Guitar, Keyboards David "Fathead" Newman Saxophone David Barard Bass David Leonard Producer David Wolinski "Hawk" Guitar, Keyboards, Drums, Producer Eltesa Weathersby Vocals (Background) Emanuel Steib Trombone Eric Kolb Keyboards Eric Struthers Guitar, Vocals (Background) Erick Labson Remixing Geary Chansley Photo Research Greg Tardy Sax (Tenor) Herman V. Ernest III Drums Ivan Neville Percussion James Stroud Producer Jeff Hannusch Liner Notes Jeffery Newbury Photography Jim Weber Trumpet Jimmy Duggan Trombone Joel Dorn Producer Joseph Fox III Trumpet Kenneth "Afro" Williams Percussion Leo Nocentelli Guitar, Bass Leon Pendarvis String Arrangements Mac Rebennack Percussion, Keyboards, Arranger Malcolm Burn Producer Margaret Goldfarb Coordination Neville Brothers Producer Ralph MacDonald Percussion Ricky Caesar Tuba Ronald Jones Drums Snakebite Sax (Baritone) Stanley Jordan Vocals, Producer, Guitar, Drums, Bass Steve Miller Guitar, Vocals Tony Hall Bass, Vocals (Background), Percussion, Saxophone Wardell Quezergue Horn Arrangements Whitney Houston Vocals (Background) Willie Green Drums, Chinese Drums