Brian Culbertson - Somethin' Bout Love

There is a strange but beautiful irony that occurs when an artist writes a great song upon the death of a loved one. Doubtful that Brian Culbertson was aiming for one of Somethin' Bout Love's (Atlantic) most emotionally rich tunes when he wrote the powerful gospel of "I'm Gonna Miss You" for his late manager Howard Lowe II, but he and co-writer/vocalist Lori Perry achieve just that. Unlike similar tunes in American culture that come across as generic, the poignant lyrics are specific to the artist-manager relationship, adding to the tune's uniqueness. The previous ten tracks are typically engaging Culbertson: irresistibly bubbly piano melodies over easy funk grooves, and engaging guest shots by genre artists like saxman Steve Cole (whose alto jams alongside the piano on the hook as Ricky Peterson's Hammond B-3 simmers like a finger on the trigger in the background), Paul Jackson, Jr., Wayman Tisdale, and Dave Koz. Part of the Culbertson lore has him becoming a smooth jazz star while pursuing his love of film scoring. "The Rise and Fall (Of Loving You)," a powerful duet with Koz, soars like the climactic scene in a romantic movie. Culbertson should also further cultivate his love for brassy R&B/blues funk, as the jammin' "Back in the Day" -- featuring the keyboardist playing trumpet and trombone -- which rings like a classic Earth, Wind & Fire type tune. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alex Al Bass Alex Gutierrez Stylist Brian Culbertson Trombone, Drum Programming, Arranger, Bass Programming, Producer, Piano, Fender Rhodes, Trumpet, Synthesizer Bass, Keyboards, Bass, Engineer Craig Bauer Engineer, Pro-Tools, Producer, Mixing Dave Hutten Editing, Pro-Tools Dave Koz Saxophone Donnell Spencer Vocals Eddie King Engineer Fred White Vocals (Background), Vocals, Vocal Ad-Libs George Nauful Executive Producer Gerey Johnson Wah Wah Guitar, Guitar Howard Hewett Vocals Jennifer Davis Grooming Jim Culbertson Flugelhorn, Trumpet (Muted) Jim Wright Photography Josie Aiello Vocals (Background) Kevin Chandler Vocals (Background) Lenny Castro Percussion Lori Perry Vocals, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background) Matt Prock Assistant Engineer, Editing Michael Manson Producer, Vocal Arrangement Michael Thompson Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Michael White Cymbals, Drums Oscar Seaton Drums, Cymbals, Hi Hat Paul Jackson, Jr. Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) Ray Fuller Guitar Richard Patterson Bass Ricky Lawson Drums Ricky Peterson Organ (Hammond) Scott Steiner Engineer, Pro-Tools, Producer, Editing Steve Cole Saxophone Steve Grisette Vocals (Background) Steve Hall Mastering Steve Johnson Editing, Cymbals, Assistant Engineer Steve Sykes Engineer Steve Weeder Pro-Tools, Engineer, Mixing, Editing Thomas Bricker Art Direction Todd Sucherman Drums Tony Maiden Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm) Wayman Tisdale Bass