VIVID

by Michael Lington

Overview

Michael Lington's ironic inclusion of a Randy Crawford vocal version of Burt Bachrach's "Message to Michael" on the saxman's debut offers an open invitation for smooth jazz fans to tell him what we think. The message we send might begin positively: it's a tough crowd competing with Boney James, Warren Hill and Dave Koz, so it's a great idea to enhance your intensely soaring, doubled sax melody on "Twice in a Lifetime" with the gently drifting flugelhorn of Tony Guerrero. It's also a sharp call to take a torchy harmony role behind Brad Cole's dark toned keyboard melody over the pitter-patter percussion on "P.J. (Pamela Jean)." Oh, and balancing more pedestrian funk jams like "Too Good to Be True" with the much more intoxicating Brazilian rhythms of "Por Do Sol (Sunset)" helps keep our interest. On that tune, Lington's edgy alto weaves in and out of jittery acoustic guitar lines in a perfect blend of pop balladry and exotica. It's kind of a mixed bag otherwise -- an easygoing but unremarkable take on the R&B classic "Love Won't Let Me Wait," a Kenny G-like soprano line finding a few sparkling moments between the verses of the pretty vocal ballad "Everlasting Love." Lington approaches the power balladry of Warren Hill on one of the best genre ballads in a long time, "Sarai." Overall, the message is that while Lington makes for a powerful, very likable, and sometimes imaginative new voice on the scene, he's not yet offering enough uniqueness to rise high amidst the veterans. Let's hope he takes the message to heart and develops the great potential that's already evident.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/08/2008
Label:	Nu Groove Records
UPC:	0893422002116

Tracks

1. Twice in a Lifetime
2. P.J. (Pamela Jean)
3. Message to Michael
4. Sarai
5. Sunset (Por Do Sol)
6. Love Won't Let Me Wait
7. Let Me Let Go
8. Everlasting Love
9. Too Good to Be True
10. All Because of You

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Michael Lington   Primary Artist,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
John Pagano   Primary Artist,Vocals
Randy Crawford   Primary Artist,Vocals
Allen Hinds   Guitar
Jean McClain   Vocals (Background)
Brad Cole   Keyboards
Christine Day   Vocals (Background)
Michael Thompson   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Thom Rotella   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Freddie Fox   Guitar
Tony Guerrero   Flugelhorn
Michael Hart Thompson   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Bruce Atkinson   Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Leslie Collman-Smith   Vocals (Background)
John "J.R." Robinson   Drums
Bob Mann   Guitar,Soloist
John "4 Daddman" Robinson   Drums
Leslie Smith   Vocals (Background)
Paul Viapiano   Guitar (Acoustic)
Lenny Castro   Congas,Percussion
Vail Johnson   Bass
Ricky Lawson   Drums
Neil Stubenhaus   Bass

Technical Credits

John Pagano   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Composer
Randy Crawford   Featured Artist,Guest Artist
Steve Barri   Executive Producer
Steve Diamond   Composer
Bobby Eli   Composer
Brad Cole   Arranger,Engineer,Drum Programming
Burt Bacharach   Composer
Eric Greedy   Engineer
Gary Brandt   Engineer
Hal David   Composer
Eric Sarafin   Mixing
Vinnie Barrett   Composer
Arno Lucas   Composer
Sam Sims   Composer
John Paganol   Featured Artist
Ian William Keene   Engineer
Bruce Atkinson   Composer
Daniel Jacov Wilson   Stylist
Mike Zainer   Engineer
Peggy Zier   Creative Director
Tom Gibson   Photography
Johnny Lee   Art Direction
John Ugart¿¿   Engineer
Dennis Morgan   Composer
Leon Johnson   Engineer
Roberto Vally   Composer
Peter Bunetta   Arranger,Producer
Lou Pardini   Composer
Michael Lington   Composer