NNENNA FREELON - Soulcall (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Nnenna Freelon's highly anticipated new CD Soulcall releases her energy, talent, and soulful vocals into a great program of 13 songs inspired by jazz traditions, gospel influences, and pop favorites. Accompanied by a great band, including Chris Potter on alto flute and tenor saxophone, Ray Drummond on bass, and special guests Kirk Whalum on tenor saxophone, Joe Beck on guitar, and Sounds of Blackness and Take 6 on vocals, the dynamic, award-winning, vocalist emanates her eclectic musical tastes with cozy intimacy, soulful nuance, and curvaceous phrasings. Freelon resurrects two renditions of "Amazing Grace" for modern artists; one a quiet, duet with pianist Takana Miyamoto and the other, a gospel jazz version with pianist James Williams, Ray Drummond, drummer Ed Thigpen, and tambourines by Gregg Field. The soulcall successfully comes through on the title track, a composition penned by Freelon, which reflects her true essence. Her voice is beautiful and possesses the amazing ability to gracefully change in musical expression and shading. "Let It Be Me" and "Just in Time" reveal her ability to caress a great ballad and scat sing with the best of them. The Grammy-nominated singer only improves with age and shows tremendous growth from her debut album, Shaking Free, and the much celebrated Maiden Voyage. by Paula Edelstein  
Tracklist :
1    Better Than Anything 4:56
Bass – Wayne Batchelor
Drums – Woody Williams
Percussion – Beverly Botsford
Piano, Arranged By – Takana Miyamoto
Tenor Saxophone – James Sandon
Written-By – Bill Loughborough, David Wheat
2    Let It Be Me 4:48
Bass – Wayne Batchelor
Drums – Woody Williams
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By, Programmed By – Kirk Whalum
Percussion – Beverly Botsford
Piano – Takana Miyamoto
Written-By – Gilbert Bécaud, Manny Kurtz, Pierre Leroyer
3    Straighten Up And Fly Right 3:25
Arranged By – Cedric Dent, Mark Kibble
Featuring, Backing Vocals – Take 6
Written-By – Irving Mills, Nat King Cole
4    Amazing Grace (Duo Version) 2:32
Arranged By – Nnenna Freelon, Takana Miyamoto
Piano – Takana Miyamoto
Written-By – John Newton, Traditional
5    Button Up Your Overcoat 5:03
Arranged By – Nnenna Freelon
Bass – Wayne Batchelor
Drums – Woody Williams
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Takana Miyamoto
Percussion – Beverly Botsford
Tenor Saxophone – Chris Potter
Trumpet – Matt Shulman
Written-By – B.G. De Sylva, Lew Brown, Ray Henderson
6    One Child At A Time 3:59
Arranged By [Choral] – Morgan Ames
Bass – Wayne Batchelor
Directed By [Musical] – Gary Hines
Drums – Woody Williams
Featuring, Backing Vocals – Sounds Of Blackness
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Kirk Whalum
Piano – Takana Miyamoto
Written-By – Nnenna Freelon
7    I Say A Little Prayer 4:18
Bass, Arranged By – Wayne Batchelor
Drums, Arranged By – Woody Williams
Percussion, Arranged By – Beverly Botsford
Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Arranged By – Takana Miyamoto
Written-By – Burt Bacharach / Hal David
8    If It's Magic 4:08
Arranged By – Joe Beck, Nnenna Freelon
Guitar – Joe Beck
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
9    Soulcall 4:01
Arranged By – Nnenna Freelon, Takana Miyamoto
Bass – Wayne Batchelor
Drums – Woody Williams
Flute [Alto] – Chris Potter
Guitar – Joe Beck
Percussion – Beverly Botsford
Piano – Takana Miyamoto
Written-By – Nnenna Freelon
10    Just In Time 4:26
Arranged By – Nnenna Freelon
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Ed Thigpen
Piano – James Williams
Written-By – Betty Comden / Adolph Green, Jule Styne
11    Paper Moon 3:41
Arranged By – Nnenna Freelon, Takana Miyamoto
Bass – Wayne Batchelor
Drums – Woody Williams
Piano – Takana Miyamoto
Tenor Saxophone – Chris Potter, James Sandon
Trumpet – Matt Shulman
Written-By – Billy Rose, E.Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
12    You're Nearer / Nearer My God To Thee 4:13
Arranged By – Nnenna Freelon
Bass – Ray Drummond
Piano – James Williams
Written-By – Mason, Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart, Adams
13    Amazing Grace (Trio Version) 4:03
Arranged By – Nnenna Freelon
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Ed Thigpen
Piano – James Williams
Tambourine – Gregg Field
Written-By – John Newton, Traditional