PARIS RAIN / Brenda Russell

7年の時を経て1stや3rdと並ぶ傑作が登場。
元MOTOWNのSteve McKeeverに誘われ新会社HIDDEN BEACHと契約しての第一弾は、AORやJAZZの香りがたっぷり散りばめられた大人のサウンドで、楽曲、歌唱、演奏、どれをとっても申し分の無い仕上がりです。

国内盤は2曲のBonus Trackを含む全13曲入りとしてEPIC RECORDSよりリリース。
ただし、Bonus Trackには作者や演奏者などのクレジットなどは一切表記が無く、デモトラックなのか音質も悪いものの、どちらの曲も素晴らしい仕上がりで一聴の価値はあります。
また、米盤の2nd Priting(現在流通盤)はCD-EXTRA仕様で本人がインタビューや各楽曲解説もしています。

Produced by Brenda Russell & Stephan Oberhoff
HIDDEN BEACH 2000

01.Ideal World (Brenda Russell)

Rhythm Arrangement: Brenda Russell & Stephan Oberhoff
Vocal Arrangement: Brenda Russell
Keyboards & Drum Programming: Brenda Russell and Stephan Oberhoff
Acoustic Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Synth Bass & Keyboard Programming: Stephan Oberhoff
Electric Guitar: James Harrah
Background Vocals: Niki Harris, Darryl Phinnessee, Frank Aravya, Maxayn Lewis, Ester Nicholson

02.She's In Love (Brenda Russell, Mark Portmann, Jay Graydon)

Keyboards & Synth Guitar: Stephan Oberhoff
Synth Solo: Greg Phillinganes
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Percussion: Paulinho da Costa
Tenor Saxophone: Kirk Whalum

Peter Whiteの新作「Confidential」(2004年)でChristopher Crossのヴォーカルでカヴァーされました。

03.Catch On (Brenda Russell)

Keyboards & Drum Programming: Brenda Russell
Keyboards, Bass & Drum Programming: Stephan Oberhoff
Electric Guitar: James Harrah
Additional Synth Pad: Brian Simpson
Percussion: Lenny Castro
Background Vocals: Bridgette Bryant, Bunny Hall, Lindsay Russell, Valerie Pinkston

本作からの第一弾シングル。

04.Walkin' In New York (Brenda Russell)

Rhythm & Vocal Arrangement: Brenda Russell
Keyboards: Brenda Russell & Stephan Oberhoff
Acoustic Piano: Russell Ferrante
Drums: Sheila E.
Bass: Bill Sharpe
Percussion: Lenny Castro
Flute: Pedro Eustache
Background Vocals: Arnold McCuller, Siedah Garrett, David Lasley

第四弾シングル。

05.Love And Paris Rain (Brenda Russell, Russell Ferrante, Will Kennedy)

Arranged by Stephan Oberhoff & Brenda Russell
Acoustic Piano: Russell Ferrante
Keyboards, Strings, Bass & Drum Programming: Stephan Oberhoff
Percussion: Paulinho da Costa
Background Vocals: Brenda Russell

元々はYellowjacketsの「Club Nocturne」(1998年)で唄った曲を、ほぼ同アレンジで再録。

06.Expect A Miracle (Brenda Russell)

Arranged by Brenda Russell
Keyboards & Synth Guitar: Brenda Russell
Keyboards, Strings, Sound FX, Additional Percussion & Electric Guitar : Stephan Oberhoff
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Percussion: Paulinho da Costa
Background Vocals: Carol Perry, Sharon Perry, Lori Perry

07.Please Felipe (Brenda Russell, Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins)

Electric Piano: Rique Pantoja
Synth Pads: Stephan Oberhoff
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Acoustic Guitar & Guitar Solo: Sandro Albert
Percussion: Paulinho da Costa
Flute: Pedro Eustache
Background Vocals: Brenda Russell, Bunny Hall, Lindsay Russell, Valerie Pinkston
Chanters: Fabio Soares, Trine Rein, Jimmy Haslip, Sandro Albert, Rique Pantoja, Vinnie Colaiuta, Kim Smoot, Paulinho da Costa, Stephan Oberhoff

Ivan Linsの“Leva E Traz”という曲に英詞をつけ、阿川泰子「Amizade」(1994年、Produced by Ivan Lins)に提供した曲。

08.You Can't Hide Your Heart From Me (Brenda Russell, James Slater)

Additional Vocals: Carl Anderson
Acoustic Piano, Keyboards & Drum Programming: Stephan Oberhoff
Bass: Bill Sharpe
Electric Guitar: James Harrah
Acoustic Guitar: Sandro Albert
Background Vocals: Brenda Russell, Ken Stacey

故・Carl Andersonが参加した第二弾シングル。

09.Move The Moon (Brenda Russell, Carole King)

Arranged by Stephan Oberhoff & Brenda Russell
Vocal Arrangement: Brenda Russell
Keyboards, Bass & Drum Programming: Stephan Oberhoff
Electric Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Electric Guitar: James Harrah
EWI Wind Instrument: Everette Harp
Background Vocals: Brenda Russell, Carol Perry, Sharon Perry, Lori Perry

なんと大御所Carole Kingとの共作が実現したポップチューン。

10.Something About Your Love (William D Smith, Kathy Wakefield)

Rhodes Piano: William D. Smith (Smitty)
Additional Keyboards: Stephan Oberhoff
Drums: Alvino Bennett
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Electric Guitar: James Harrah
Additional Guitar: Don Griffin
Alto Sax: Dave Koz
Background Vocals: Brenda Russell, Paulette Brown, Dianne Brooks, Maxayne Lewis, Petsye Powell

第三弾シングル。他人のオリジナル曲をアルバムに収録するのはこの曲が初めて。

11.Baby Eyes (Brenda Russell)

Piano, Guitar, Bass & Drum Programming: Stephan Oberhoff
Tenor Sax: Kirk Whalum

映画「Liberty Heights」(1999年)サウンドトラックに収録されていた曲をKirk Whalumを迎えて新録。

12.Wayward Soul (Brenda Russell, Mark Cawley) <Bonus Track>

Joe Cocker「Across From Midnight」(1997年)に提供した曲。

13.Different Eyes (Brenda Russell, Mark Cawley, Kye Fleming) <Bonus Track>
　
後に「BETWEEN THE SUN AND THE MOON」に全く違うアレンジの完成版が収録されています。

Brenda Russellをamazon.co.jpでサーチ