Smooth is an album by the American musician Gerald Albright, released in 1994.[2][3]

The album peaked at No. 151 on the Billboard 200.[4] It was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award, in the "Best Jazz Album" category.[5] Albright supported the album by playing the 1995 Hampton Jazz Festival.[6]

Production

Albright strove to create an R&B album; in addition to saxophone, he also played flute and keyboards.[7][8] Vesta Williams, Lalah Hathaway, and Will Downing are among the many vocalists on the album.[9][10][11] Howard Hewett sang on the cover of "This Is for the Lover in You".[12] Stanley Clarke played bass on "Sedona".[13] The liner notes were written by Magic Johnson.[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[15]
The Charlotte Observer	[16]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[17]
Los Angeles Times	[11]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide	[13]

The Los Angeles Times wrote that "Albright offers predictably melodic, safe solos that, for the most part, fail to engage the listener."[11] 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."[18]

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."[16] The Buffalo News considered the music "full of slinky rhythms, gossamer textures and sensuous, lazy melodies."[14]

AllMusic called the album "a tasty if somewhat typical journey through the land of quiet storm and light funk."[15]

Track listing

References