Simple Pleasures is a studio album by American jazz artists Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson released in 2003 on Narada Records. The album reached No. 9 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.
Critical reception
Christopher Loudon of JazzTimes claimed, "It took 18 years for Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis to reteam after 1984's sublime The Two of Us. Fortunately, it has taken only 18 months for the lifelong pals to follow up on last year's equally delightful Meant to Be. Their third collaboration, the rather ironically titled Simple Pleasures (Narada), is a somewhat more complex affair than either of their previous outings. This time around, Lewis and Wilson, neither a stranger to lush settings, enrich the proceedings with a polished horn section that suits both well."
Jonathan Widran of AllMusic noted "Simple Pleasures features both vocals and instrumentals with a wide range of dynamics, from his romantic but too subtle piano melody on 'In My Life,' to Wilson's fiery belting over a sea of snazzy horns on 'Give Me Something Real.' It's great to hear her let loose, but the slower, sensual side of her vocal prowess (on tunes like 'Lost Up in Loving You') is even more inviting."
Track listing
Credits Acoustic bass – Larry Gray Arranged by Larry Gray Horns arrangement by – Llew Mathews Co-producer [Production Assistant] – Doug Johnson Concert Grand Piano [Steinway] – Ramsey Lewis Design – Connie Gage Drums, Percussion – Leon Joyce, Jr Electric bass – Larry Gray Assistant engineers – Azoulas Sinkevicius, Brian Pinke, Eddie Davis Guitar – Henry Johnson Electric keyboards – Llew Mathews Mastered by Trevor Sadler Percussion – Alejo Poveda Photography – Robert Kessler Producer – Ramsey Lewis Additional recording by Matt LeJeune Recorded and mixed by Danny Leake Tenor saxophone, flute – Steve Eisen Trombone – Tracy Kirk Trumpet – Orbert Davis Vocals – Nancy Wilson
References