ProJazz.net

As We Speak is a studio album by David Sanborn, released in 1982 on Warner Bros. Records. The album reached number 1 on Billboard’s Jazz Albums chart.

Reception

It was about this time in his career that one sensed David Sanborn was getting a bit tired of the formula he was using on his records. However, his great popularity kept him from changing direction much. As usual, the highly influential altoist blows his heart out over a lot of funky rhythms on As We Speak, but surprisingly, he switches to his less notable soprano on four of the nine tunes. Bassist Marcus Miller is a key force in the background, leading the expanded rhythm sections through some pop-oriented material that is appealing but not too substantial (Scott Yanow/AllMusic).

Track listing
Side 1
1. “Port of Call” Michael Sembello, Dan Sembello 4:29
2. “Better Believe It” Marcus Miller 3:31
3. “Rush Hour” Miller 4:43
4. “Over and Over” Don Freeman, Miller 4:12
5. “Back Again” Belfield, Freeman 3:52
Side 2
6. “As We Speak” Sanborn, Michael Sembello 4:17
7. “Straight to the Heart” Miller 3:26
8. “Rain on Christmas” Sanborn 4:47
9. “Love Will Come Someday” Michael Sembello, David Batteau 6:17

Personnel
David Sanborn – alto saxophone (1, 4, 5, 7, 8), saxophone section (1, 4), soprano saxophone (2, 3, 6, 9)
Don Freeman – keyboards, synthesizers (2, 7, 8)
Michael Sembello – guitars, lead vocals (5, 9), backing vocals (5)
Marcus Miller – bass guitar, synthesizers (4)
Omar Hakim – drums, tambourine (4)
Paulinho da Costa – percussion

Additional musicians

George Duke – clavinet (1)
Lance Ong – synthesizers (2, 8)
James Skelton – Hammond B3 organ (4)
Spike – synthesizers (5), IRT strings (5, 6, 8, 9)
Buzz Feiten – rhythm guitar (1)
Malando Gassama – percussion (5)
Bob Mintzer – bass clarinet (1)
Bill Evans – saxophone (4), saxophone section (4)
Robert A. Martin – French horn (9)
Cruz Baca Sembello – backing vocals (5, 9)

_____________

Released: 1982
Recorded: 1982
Studios:
Warner Bros. Recording Studios (North Hollywood, California)
Record Plant (Los Angeles, California)
George Massenburg Studio (Santa Monica, California)
Mediasound Studios and Soundworks (New York City, New York)
Length: 39:39
Label: Warner Bros.
Producer: Robert Margouleff