Will Downing - All the Man You Need

All the Man You Need was hailed as Will Downing's return to R&B music. Though after a listen, there isn't a huge difference between this album and his R&B/smooth jazz-oriented recordings of the mid- to late '90s; which isn't a bad thing. Though the beats may hit a little harder and there's more adherence to R&B ballad song structure, the focus is still on Downing's warm baritone vocals, soothing production, and good songs. The singer makes fine use of a soaring sample from Noel Pointer's cover of Stevie Wonder's "Superwoman" on the breezy "Share My World." Other highlights are "Real Soon," the Downing/Chante Moore duet "When You Need Me," the snappy, ultra jazzy "Tired Melody," a string-laced cover of Bill Withers' "Grandma's Hands," and the smooth, skirting title track. Fans of Will Downing and adult-oriented R&B music will be thoroughly pleased. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alec Head Engineer, Mixing Anthony Jackson Bass Antoinette Roberson Vocals (Background) Bashiri Johnson Percussion Benjamin Love Keyboards Brett Panelli Photography Carl Beatty Mixing Chanté Moore Performer Charles Parker Violin Chris Gehringer Mastering Dave Metcen Bass Doc Gibbs Percussion Dwayne Bastiany Producer, Drum Programming Dymon Vocals (Background) Ed King Programming, Engineer Emma Kummrow Violin Eric Roberson Vocals (Background) Greg Skaff Guitar Hubert Eaves IV Bass Igor Szwec Violin Ira Siegel Guitar James Poyser Programming, Producer, Keyboards, Tambourine Jim Bottari Engineer John Moore Stylist Jon Smeltz Engineer Kedar Massenburg Executive Producer Ken Lewis Mixing Kevin Deane Programming, Producer, Engineer, Keyboards Larry Gold Cello, String Arrangements, Conductor Matt Kane Engineer Metal Assistant Engineer Nathaniel Townsley Drums Nicholas Payton Trumpet Nneka Vocals (Background) Nunzio Signore Guitar Pino Palladino Bass Renee Neufville Vocals (Background) Rex Rideout Producer, Programming Rohn Lawrence Guitar Will Downing Vocals, Producer, Photography, Engineer, Vocals (Background)