ProJazz.net

The former NBA all-star returns to titling his musical projects after expressions from his previous line of work – and, consistent with those, comes up with a funk-drenched smooth jazz slam dunk once again. One of the few bassists to make it mainstream in the genre by playing those low tones like a regular guitar, Wayman Tisdale mixes up the hardcore grooves (as on the seductive opening “Ready to Hang,” which features infectious wordless vocals, and the slick, slow jamming title track) with lighter, more contemplative fare like “Better Days,” which features the wistful soprano of label co-owner Dave Koz. The always dependable Jeff Lorber is on hand, co-writing and co-producing three mid-tempo retro-soul-minded tracks, the best of which, “Creative Juices,” features Tisdale’s playful aggression tempered by the keyboardist’s colorful Fender Rhodes. The first single chosen is a fun-filled cover of the disco classic “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” with Tisdale’s jumpy verses complemented by a brass-intensive chorus. Between genre releases, Tisdale independently released the gospel recording 21 Days, which featured “Glory Glory,” the soulful, spiritual-minded track chosen to close the new set. Tisdale once again makes it fun to dance along and just hang (Jonathan Widran/AllMusic).

Track listing & Personnel:

1 Ready To Hang
Bass – Alex Evans
Guitar – Dave Forman
Percussion – Jeff Byrd
Producer, Arranged By, Bass [Lead], Vocals – Wayman Tisdale
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Drum Programming – Jimmy Varner Soul
Written-By – James Varner*, Wayman Tisdale
4:00
2 Creative Juices
Drums – Michael White
Producer, Arranged By, Bass [Lead] – Wayman Tisdale
Producer, Arranged By, Programmed By, Guitar, Percussion – Jeff Lorber
Written-By – Jeff Lorber, Wayman Tisdale
4:08
3 Cruisin’
Bass – Wayman Tisdale
Guitar – Dave Forman
Percussion – Jeff Byrd
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Drum Programming – Jimmy Varner Soul
Saxophone – Donald Hayes
Strings – Alex Alessondroni
Written-By – Marvin Tarplin, William Robinson, Jr.
4:31
4 Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
Backing Vocals – Betsy Rukard, Jason Atkins, Marvin Craft, Shauna Chanda, Yvonne Brown
Bass – Mel Brown
Bass [Lead] – Wayman Tisdale
Electric Guitar – Frank Selman
Hihat, Cymbal [Ride] – Wayne Patterson
Producer, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Programmed By [String] – Darren Rahn
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Jason Rahn
Written-By – Gene McFadden, Jerry Allen Cohen, John Whitehead
4:07
5 My World
Producer, Arranged By, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Drum Programming – Wayman Tisdale
Written-By – Wayman Tisdale
5:26
6 Hang Time
Bass [Lead] – Wayman Tisdale
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Drum Programming – James Lloyd
Written-By – James K. Lloyd
4:15
7 Better Days
Producer, Arranged By, Bass [Lead] – Wayman Tisdale
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Drum Programming – Tracy Carter
Saxophone – Dave Koz
Written-By – Tracy Carter , Wayman Tisdale
4:37
8 Everything In You
Drums – Michael White
Guitar – Tony Maiden
Producer, Arranged By, Bass [Lead] – Wayman Tisdale
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Programmed By [Percussion] – Jeff Lorber
Saxophone – Donald Hayes
Written-By – Jeff Lorber, Wayman Tisdale
3:59
9 Even When
Producer, Arranged By, Bass [Lead], Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards – Wayman Tisdale
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Vocals – Carnell Murrell
Saxophone – Donald Hayes
Written-By – Carnell Murrell, Wayman Tisdale
4:36
10 The Time Is Here
Producer, Arranged By, Bass [Lead] – Wayman Tisdale
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Drum Programming – Tracy Carter
Saxophone – Donald Hayes
Written-By – Tracy Carter , Wayman Tisdale
3:59
11 Off Into It
Drums – Michael White
Producer, Arranged By, Bass [Lead] – Wayman Tisdale
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Drum Programming – Jeff Lorber
Written-By – Jeff Lorber, Wayman Tisdale
4:41
12 Glory Glory
Drum Programming – Mike Todd
Producer, Arranged By, Bass [Lead], Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals – Wayman Tisdale
Saxophone – Donald Hayes (2)
Vocals – Danielle Tisdale
Written-By – Wayman Tisdale, Weldon Tisdale
5:05

__________________

Label: Rendezvous Entertainment – REN 5104-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2004