E
A Day In The Life
Bass, Guitar – Chalmers Alford
Engineer – Alex Sok
Programmed By – Ali Shaheed Muhammad 5:15
2 Georgy Porgy
Guitar [Solo] – Kenya B.
Producer – Somethin' For The People
Programmed By [Keyboards], Drum Programming, Recorded By – Sauce
Vocals [Featuring] – Faith Evans 4:40
3 Spend My Life With You
Engineer – Andrew Haller
Engineer, Instruments [All] – Demonte Posey
Vocals [Featuring] – Tamia 4:35
4 Something Real
Backing Vocals – Fuzzy, Shari Watson, Tracy Nelson
Guitar, Producer, Programmed By [Keyboards], Drum Programming – Kenya B.
Keyboards – Leslie Butler
Producer – Somethin' For The People
Programmed By [Keyboard], Drum Programming, Recorded By – Sauce 4:33
5 Loving Your Best Friend
Producer – Jerry Duplessis, Wyclef Jean
Recorded By – Chris Theis 4:20
6 When You Think Of Me
Drum Programming – Brian Frazier Moore
Engineer – Carlos "Storm" Martinez, Jon Smeltz
Engineer [Assistant] – Pascal Volberg
Guitar – Isaac Phillips
Keyboards, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – James Poyser
Recorded By – Andy Salas
Recorded By [Assistant] – Dav Dar
Vibraphone, Vocals [Featuring] – Roy Ayers 5:43
7 Lamentation
Cello – Heidi Vincent
Engineer – David Kennedy
Guitar – Eddie "Spanky" Alford
Instruments [All Other] – Ali Shaheed Muhammad 4:06
8 Dust In The Wind
Backing Vocals, Bass, Programmed By [Keyboards], Drum Programming – Brian Alexander Morgan
Producer – Brian Alexander Morgan
Recorded By – Brian Alexander Morgan, Larry Funk, Nat Foster
Recorded By [Assistant] – Charity Lomax, Delee Har, Steve MacAuley 4:30
9 Why You Follow Me
Bass, Guitar – Eddie "Spanky" Alford
Engineer – David Kennedy
Instruments [All Other] – Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Percussion – Marlon Simon
Piano – Edsel Gomez, James Poyser 5:24
10 Come As You Are
Arranged By [Strings] – Larry Gold
Engineer – Eric Benét
Engineer, Guitar [Nylon] – George Nash Jr.
Synthesizer [Bass Synth], Drums, Engineer, Piano [Acoustic] – Demonté Posey 5:11
11 Love The Hurt Away
Drums, Engineer, Organ [B-3], Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Demonté Posey
Engineer – Eric Benét
Engineer, Guitar [Acoustic, Funk Box] – George Nash Jr. 5:24
12 Ghetto Girl
Engineer – Eric Benét, George Nash Jr.
Engineer, Keyboards [Rhodes], Organ [B-3] – Demonté Posey
Guitar [And Solo] – Jazzy G
Keyboards – Leslie Butler
Producer, Drum Programming – Sauce
Vocals [Featuring] – Me'Shell NdegéOcello 4:11
13 Love Of My Own
Arranged By [Strings] – Larry Gold
Bass – Isaac Phillips
Drums – Brian Frazier Moore
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer – James Poyser
Engineer – Carlos "Storm" Martinez, Jon Smeltz
Engineer [Assistant] – Pascal Volberg
Twelve-String Guitar, Electric Guitar – Jef Lee Johnson 5:40
Bonus Track:
14 Spend My Life With You Remix featuring Terry Dexter 4:33
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9 47072-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1999
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Neo Soul, Contemporary R&B
Eric Benét's A Day in the Life is a highly praised smooth R&B/soul album, celebrated for its mature, "grown 'n' sexy" vibe, sophisticated arrangements, and heartfelt lyrics, blending classic '70s soul with contemporary grooves, featuring standout duets like "Spend mMy Life With You" with Tamia and "Georgy Porgy" with Faith Evans, making it a fan favorite and critically acclaimed for its timeless quality and strong musicianship.
Sophisticated, smooth R&B and Soul, with deep funk and jazz influences, reminiscent of 70s soul, with clean, simple arrangements that keep the focus on Benét's voice and the emotional depth, avoiding trendy gimmicks.
Praised for Benét's warm, captivating voice and clever, intimate songwriting that conveys strong feelings.
Considered a classic that holds up well over time, showcasing Benét as a premier, albeit often underrated, R&B vocalist.
Fans and critics alike adore the album for its musical quality, emotional resonance, and timeless "old-fashioned soul" feel, making it a staple for romantic evenings and a testament to Benét's enduring talent. It's often described as music for "fine wine and soft lighting".
At Last!
2 My Dearest Darling (E. Bocage, P. Gayten 3:01)
3 Trust In Me (Schwartz, Ager, Wever 3:08)
4 A Sunday Kind Of Love (Leonard, Belle, Prima, Rhodes 3:15)
5 Tough Mary (C. Uto 2:24)
6 I Just Want To Make Love To You (W. Dixon 3:03)
7 At Last (Warren, Gordon 3:00)
8 All I Could Do Is Cry (B. Davis 2:57)
9 Stormy Weather (Arlen, Koehler 3:07)
10 Boy Of My Dreams (Charles Clapp 2:21)
Label: Argo – LPS 4003
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1960
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Blues
At Last! is the debut studio album by American blues and soul artist Etta James, released in November 1960 on Argo Records, a subsidiary of Chess Records. The album is widely celebrated as a cornerstone of blues and soul history, renowned for its varied program of music, emotional intensity, and James's powerful vocal performance.
Producers Phil and Leonard Chess aimed for crossover appeal, backing James's raw, gospel-infused voice with sophisticated orchestral arrangements conducted by Riley Hampton. The album seamlessly blends blues, R&B, soul, jazz standards, and doo-wop, defying easy categorization.
Critics laud James's "fiery growl" and nuanced phrasing, which expertly transition from powerful blues shouting to subtle, airy tenderness. Her delivery is considered fearless and raw, bringing authenticity and emotional depth to every track.
The album features James's signature song, the title track "At Last," which became a timeless classic and a popular choice for weddings despite its modest initial pop chart performance. Other notable tracks include the R&B hits "All I Could Do Was Cry" and "Trust in Me," as well as covers of classics like "Stormy Weather" and "I Just Want to Make Love to You".
At Last! is consistently ranked among the greatest albums of its era. Rolling Stone has included it on its "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list, and Pitchfork named it one of the best albums of the 1960s. Its emotional honesty and artistry continue to influence generations of singers.
The album captures Etta James at her peak, showcasing her versatility and emotional range in a "swinging and varied program" that remains a definitive work of American music.
Performance
Written-By – Chris Smither 8:24
A2 Performance
Written-By – Allen Toussaint 5:23
A3 Doing Our Thing
Written-By – A. Lee, C. Carter, C. McCants 3:34
B1 Disposable Society
Written-By – Eugene McDaniels 5:15
B2 Living Alone (We're Gonna Make It)
Written-By – Barnes, Lynn, Pendarvis 5:19
B3 Such A Night
Written-By – Mac Rebennack 3:20
B4 Can't Trust Your Neighbor With Your Baby
Written-By – Isaac Hayes/David Porter 3:53
Label: Kudu – KU 18
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul, Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Esther Phillips' 1974 album Performance is a highly regarded studio album that expertly blends funk, soul, and R&B with jazz and gospel influences. Despite the title, it is a studio recording, not a live album, and features Phillips' unique, "lustrous and gritty" soulful vocals backed by an impressive roster of Kudu "house" musicians.
Critics praise Performance as a strong entry in Phillips' Kudu discography, showcasing her ability to deliver emotionally intense vocals across various styles. The album generally has a slightly darker, less smooth sound compared to some of her other Kudu releases, with a notable R&B undercurrent.
The album successfully merges different genres, featuring danceable soul grooves, blues-infused tracks, and R&B numbers with a gospel feel.
Phillips' distinctive "taut, clipped voice" conveys a wide range of emotions, allowing her to truly inhabit the songs she interprets.
The album benefits from top-tier musicianship, with contributions from renowned artists such as Pepper Adams (baritone sax), Hubert Laws (flute), Bob James and Richard Tee (piano), Eric Weissberg (steel guitar), and Ralph MacDonald (percussion). The arrangements are tasteful and balance the orchestral elements with Phillips' voice.
While the entire album is considered a quality recording, specific tracks often highlighted in reviews include:
"Performance": The title track is an R&B number that features a noticeable country-flavored steel guitar, creating an interesting cross-genre sound.
"Such a Night": This track is noted for its "tack piano" work by Richard Tee.
"I Feel the Same" and "Living Alone (We're Gonna Make It)": These tracks are often cited as excellent examples of the album's strong material.
"Disposable Society": A funky, urban track where Phillips establishes a strong presence within the musical environment.
Overall, Performance is considered an excellent record that shows a mature, blues-savvy Phillips at the top of her game, delivering a compelling and varied set of songs with expert accompaniment.