Following two albums with a reconstituted L.A. Express, Bluestreak and Smokin' Section, Tom Scott returns to solo frontman duties on his Higher Octave Jazz debut, New Found Freedom, but he does so with a large number of guests. Those guests help broaden the styles of music available on the release, although Scott's own saxophone work remains a touchstone and everything on the disc will be easily programmable on smooth jazz radio. Indeed, the variety gives programmers many choices. Craig Chaquico, a fellow veteran of the 1970s rock scene and now a labelmate, joins Scott with some characteristic acoustic guitar work on the becalmed opener, "Feelin' It," after which adult contemporary singer Ann Nesby croons "You Are My Everything" while Billy Preston joins in on organ. Scott's taste for R&B and funk is on display on "(Don't You Wanna) Jam," which gives way to the more reflective "Can You Stand the Rain," spotlighting George Duke on acoustic piano. Another soulful number is an interpretation of Simply Red's "Holding Back the Years," and Daniel Rodriguez, the singing New York police officer who gained fame after September 11 (and whose debut album Scott produced) comes on for a thoughtful version of "Everything Must Change." This is a well-assembled collection of smooth jazz that will please fans of the genre and of Scott. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
New Found Freedom
10/22/2002 | Higher Octave
All Music Guide Review
Track Listing
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Credits
- Stephen Marcussen
- Mastering
- Matt Marshall
- Executive Producer
- Larry McGee
- Guitar (Electric)
- Marcus Miller
- Bass
- Ann Nesby
- Vocals, Vocals (Background)
- Jerry Peters
- Fender Rhodes, Fills
- David Rideau
- Arranger, Producer, Mixing, Engineer
- Dan Selene
- Executive Producer
- Greg Thomas
- Sax (Tenor)
- Valerie Watson
- Vocals, Vocals (Background)
- David Satterfield
- Vocals (Background)
- Patty Nichols
- Project Coordinator
- Janet Wolsborn
- Art Direction, Design
- Gerald McCauley
- Arranger, Fender Rhodes, ?, Sampling, Engineer, Producer, Programming
- Mikael Sandgren
- Arranger, Synthesizer Pads, Engineer, Programming, Synthesizer Strings
- Gina Grimes
- Producer, Creative Services Coordinator
- Jack Ruben
- Engineer
- Jesse Gorman
- Engineer
- Pablo Munguia
- Engineer
- Daniel Rodriguez
- Vocals
- Jeff Kanan
- Engineer
- Rachel Stolte
- Grooming
- Juan Pablo Velasco
- Engineer
- Candice Held
- Stylist
- Craig Chaquico
- Guitar
- Alex Al
- Bass
- John Barnes
- Strings, Piano (Electric), Synthesizer Bass, Trumpet, Arranger, Flugelhorn
- Kurt Clayton
- Keyboards
- Luis Conte
- Percussion, Conga
- Craig T. Cooper
- Guitar (Rhythm), Talk Box
- Paulinho Da Costa
- Percussion
- Curtis Dowd, Jr.
- Engineer, Vocal Arrangement
- Marcel East
- Engineer
- Nathan East
- Bass
- Paul Jackson, Jr.
- Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Rhythm)
- Dennis Keeley
- Photography
- Abraham Laboriel
- Bass
- Ricky Lawson
- Cymbals, Drums
- Carl Anderson
- Vocals
- Michael Cooper
- Vocals
- Billy Preston
- Organ (Hammond)
- George Duke
- Piano
- Tom Scott
- Synthesizer, Harmonica, Sax (Alto), Producer, Horn Arrangements, Soloist, Engineer, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone, Arranger
- Phil Upchurch
- Guitar (Acoustic), Soloist















