In 2012, saxophonist Gerald Albright and guitarist Norman Brown teamed up to create 24/7, a collection of 10 soul-jazz tracks released on Concord Jazz, a division of Concord Music. The title of the album, 24/7, Albright says comes from “the commitment that both of us have made in terms of our instruments. Even when we sleep we’re thinking about melodies, recordings, concerts and whatever we’re going to do next.”
Each of the 10 tracks on the album certainly reveal that dedication and the album does a great job showcasing these two talented artists. Brown is featured on lead and rhythm guitars while Albright shares his talents on alto, tenor, and bari saxophones, flute, bass guitar, ewi, percussion, programing and background vocals. The album also includes keyboard players Tracy Carter and Herman Jackson, guitarist Rick Watford, drummers Jay Williams and Charles Streeter, bassist Byron Miller and percussionist Ramon Yslas.
“Perfect Love,” the third track on the album features the talents of Norman Brown’s daughter Rochella and godson, DeMille Cole-Heard on vocals. Gerald Albright’s daughter is also featured on two of the tracks. Her voice can be heard on the cover of Ne-Yo’s “Champagne Life” and the original “24/7” (for which she wrote the lyrics).
“The Best is Yet to Come” was co-written by Norman Brown and up and coming saxophonist Jeanette Harris. It was originally intended for Jeanette’s album, but Brown felt that it fit perfectly with the concept of 24/7.
24/7 is a great addition to the record collection of any pop instrumental fan. Norman Brown and Gerald Albright, two extremely talented artists, have come together to create an outstanding project that showcases their talents as composers and performers.
Los Angeles native Gerald Albright has toured performed with Olivia Newton-John, Phil Collins, Anita Baker, Patrice Rushen, Whitney Houston, and many others. He received Grammy nominations for Best Pop Instrumental Album for New Beginnings and Sax for Stax and he has sold over one million albums in the US alone.
Norman Brown was born in Louisiana but raised in Kansas City where he picked up the guitar at the age of 8. After high school, Brown moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He released his first album in 1992 and then followed it with a gold-certified album in 1996. In 2002 he received a Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental album for the album Just Chillin’.
The two originally met at a club in Redlands back in the 1980s and each went their separate ways, but now have rejoined 30 years later to give us 24/7.
Title: 24/7
Artist: Gerald Albright and Norman Brown
Date: June 19, 2012
Genre: Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Label: Concord Jazz
Tracks:
01 In the Moment
02 Keep it Moving
03 Perfect Love
04 Buenos Amigos
05 Tomorrow
06 Yes I Can
07 24/7
08 Champagne Life
09 The Best is Yet to Come
10 Power of Your Smile
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