Smooth is the fourth studio album by the American musician Gerald Albright, released in 1994 on Atlantic Records. The album peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 2 on both the Billboard Jazz Albums and Contemporary Jazz Albums charts.
Production Albright strove to create an R&B album; in addition to saxophone, he also played flute and keyboards. Vesta Williams, Lalah Hathaway, and Will Downing are among the many vocalists on the album. Howard Hewett sang on the cover of "This Is for the Lover in You". Stanley Clarke played bass on "Sedona". The liner notes were written by Magic Johnson.
Critical reception
The Los Angeles Times wrote that "Albright offers predictably melodic, safe solos that, for the most part, fail to engage the listener." The Daily Breeze determined that Albright "turns in softly percussive, overly slick readings of soul-jazz mood pieces... He ignores chances to improvise or offer inventive ideas." The Charlotte Observer deemed the album "Albright's breakthrough work," writing that "it's obvious Albright has put a lot of energy into this effort." The Buffalo News considered the music "full of slinky rhythms, gossamer textures and sensuous, lazy melodies."
AllMusic called the album "a tasty if somewhat typical journey through the land of quiet storm and light funk."
Accolades Smooth was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for "Best Jazz Album".
Track listing
Personnel Musicians Gerald Albright – tenor saxophone (1, 2, 10), keyboards (1, 2, 10), bass guitar (1, 2, 6), drum programming (2), EWI (2, 10), alto saxophone (3–5, 7–9), flute (4), soprano saxophone (5, 6) Chuckii Booker – keyboards (1–4, 6, 7), drum programming (1, 4, 6, 7) Arvel McClinton – keyboards (3), drum programming (3) Patrick Moten – keyboards (5, 10) Derek Nakamoto – strings (5, 9, 10) Travon Potts – keyboards (8, 9), drum programming (8, 9) Greg Phillinganes – keyboards (9) Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars (1, 2, 10), rhythm guitar (5) Lee Ritenour – lead guitar (5) Melvin Lee Davis – bass guitar (5) Stanley Clarke – piccolo bass solo (9) Freddie Washington – bass (10) Land Richards – drums (9, 10)
Vocalists Vesta Williams – featured vocals (1), backing vocals (1) Pattie Howard – backing vocals (1) Olivia McClurkin – backing vocals (1) Alfie Silas – backing vocals (1) Lalah Hathaway – featured vocals (2), backing vocals (2) Arvel McClinton – backing vocals (3) Howard Hewett – backing vocals (4) Will Downing – featured vocals (6), backing vocals (6) Chuckii Booker – backing vocals (7)
Production Raymond A. Shields II – executive producer, management Gerald Albright – producer Arvel McClinton – producer (3) Chuckii Booker – producer (7) Travon Potts – producer (8, 9) Kevin D. Lewis – production coordinator Elizabeth Barrett – art direction Louise O'Brien – photography Daniel Schridde – photography Lisa Michelle – styling Ron Graves – hair Merc Arceneaux – make-up Magic Johnson – liner notes
Technical credits Gerald Albright – recording (1, 3, 6, 7), assistant engineer (1–3, 5, 6, 8–10) Kevin Kadel – recording (1, 2, 4–6, 8–10), mixing (6) Anthony Jefferies – mixing (1–5, 7), recording (5, 9, 10) Dave Pensado – mixing (8) Craig Burbidge – mixing (9, 10) Ray Silva – assistant engineer
References