MACY GRAY - On How Life Is (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Macy Gray is such an assured, original vocalist that it's hard to believe On How Life Is is her debut album. She recalls a number of other vocalists, particularly jazz singers like Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, but she is unquestionably from the post-hip-hop generation, which is evident not just from the sound of the record, but the style of her songwriting, which is adventurous and unpredictable. Thankfully, she's worked with a producer (Andrew Slater, who pulled a similar trick with Fiona Apple's debut, Tidal) that lets her run wild and helps her find sounds that match her ideas. That's not to say that On How Life Is is a perfect album -- at times, Gray attempts more than she can achieve -- but it's always captivating, even during its stumbles. And when it works, it soars higher than most contemporary R&B. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1    Why Didn't You Call Me 3:14
Backing Vocals – David Wilder, Jeremy Ruzumna
Bass – David Wilder
Drum Programming – Darryl Swann
Guitar – Jinsoo Lim
2    Do Something 4:57
Bass – Dion Derek Murdock
Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Moog] – Jeremy Ruzumna
Guitar – Jinsoo Lim
Music By – Andre Benjamin, Antwan Patton, Bernard Worrell, Cameron Gipp, Darryl Barnes, Dion Derek Murdock, Garry Shider, George Clinton Jr., Greg Mays, Patrick Brown, Raymon Murray, Rico Wade, Robert Barnett, Thomas Burton
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Patrick Warren
3    Caligula 4:38
Backing Vocals – Darryl Swann
Guitar – Darryl Swann
Music By – Macy Gray
Synthesizer – Jon Brion, Patrick Warren
Synthesizer [Farfisa], Clavinet – Jeremy Ruzumna
4    I Try 3:59
Bass – David Wilder
Guitar – Bendrix Williams
Music By – David Wilder, Jinsoo Lim, Macy Gray
Piano, Bells [Orchestra] – Jon Brion
5    Sex-O-Matic Venus Freak 3:57
Bass – Dion Derek Murdock
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Jeremy Ruzumna
Guitar – Blackbird McKnight, Gabriel Moses
Music By – Dion Derek Murdock
Synthesizer – Rami Jaffee
6    I Can't Wait To Meetchu 5:18
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Jeremy Ruzumna
Guitar – Miles Tackett
Horns – Charlie Green, Michael Harris, Steve Baxter
Music By – Miles Tackett
7    Still 4:15
Arranged By [Strings] – David Campbell
Guitar – Jay Joyce
Music By – Bill Esses, Jeff Blue
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Jon Brion
8    I've Committed Murder 4:59
Marimba, Synthesizer, Vibraphone [Vibes] – Jon Brion
Music By – C. Sigman, Eddie Harris, F. Lai, Kiilu Beckwith
Programmed By – Kiilu Beckwith
Saxophone [Solo] – Ngozi "Guz" Inyama
9    A Moment To Myself 4:00
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Organ [Wurlitzer] – Patrick Warren
Music By – Damon Yu Wimbley, Mark Morales, Miles Tackett
10    The Letter 5:38
Keyboards [Optigon], Chamberlin [Chamberlain] – Jeremy Ruzumna
Keyboards [Optigon], Piano – Jon Brion
Keyboards [Optigon], Piano, Chamberlin [Chamberlain] – Rami Jaffe
Music By – Jamie Houston, Matt Sherrod
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Dawn Beckman (pistas: 1 to 3, 5 to 9), Macy Gray (pistas: 1, 3 to 5, 10), Macy Gray (pistas: 1, 3 to 5, 10), Musiic Galloway (pistas: 1 to 3, 5 to 10), Sye Smith (pistas: 3, 5, 7)
Bass – Greg Richling (pistas: 6 to 10)
Chamberlin [Chamberlain] – Jon Brion (pistas: 2, 3, 8, 10), Patrick Warren (pistas: 2 to 4, 7, 8)
Drums – Matt Chamberlain
Guitar – Arrik Marshall (pistas: 1, 7 to 10), Jon Brion (pistas: 3 to 6, 8 to 10)
Legal – Jill Berliner
Lyrics By – Macy Gray
Music By – Darryl Swann (pistas: 2, 3, 6, 8), Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 1 to 9)
Organ – Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 1, 4 to 6, 8)
Percussion – Lenny Castro, Matt Chamberlain (pistas: 1, 3, 9, 10)
Piano – Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 1, 7, 10)
Turntables – DJ Kiilu (pistas: 2, 8, 9)

MACY GRAY - I Try (1999) CD, Single / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    I Try 3:59
Lyrics By – Macy Gray
Music By – David Wilder, Jeremy Ruzumna, Jinsoo Lim, Macy Gray
Producer [Produced By] – Andrew Slater
2    I Try (Full Crew Mix) 5:21
Bass, Drum Programming – Wayne Lawes
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Wayne Lawes
Keyboards, Programmed By [Computer Programming] – Rickardo Reid
Lyrics By – Macy Gray
Music By – David Wilder, Jeremy Ruzumna, Jinsoo Lim, Macy Gray
Producer [Produced By] – Andrew Slater
Remix – Full Crew
Remix, Producer [Additional Production By] – Wayne Lawes
3    Dont Come Around 4:20
Producer [Produced By] – Darryl Swan
Written-By – Jeremy Ruzumna, Macy Gray

 

MACY GRAY - Do Something (1999) CD, Single, Stereo, CD2 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Do Something (Album Version)    4:57
2    Do Something (Jay's Subliminal Funk) 4:50
Remix – Jay Denes
3    Do Something (King Britt Remix) 9:20
Remix – King Britt

MACY GRAY - Do Something (1999) CD, Single / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Do Something (Radio Edit) 4:10
Performer [Sample From "Funky For You"] – Nice & Smooth
Performer [Sample From"Git Up Git Out"] – OutKast
Producer [Produced By] – Andrew Slater
Recorded By, Mixed By – Dave Way
Written-By – Andre Benjamin, Antwan Patton, Cameron Gipp, Darryl Barnes, Darryl Swann, Dion Derek Murdock, Greg Mays, Jeremy Ruzumna, Macy Gray, Patrick Brown, Raymon Murray, Rico Wade, Robert Barnett, Thomas Burton
Written-By [Sample From "Funky For You"] – D. Barnes, G. Mays
Written-By [Sample From"Git Up Git Out"] – A. Benjamin, A. Patton, C. Gipp, P. Brown, R. Murray, R. Wade, T. Burton
2    Rather Hazy 3:10
Producer [Produced By] – Darryl Swann, Macy Gray
Written-By – Macy Gray
3    Do Something (Organized Noize Mix) 3:53
Engineer [Engineered By] – Bernasky Wall
Featuring [Feat.] – Cee-Lo
Mixed By – Josh Butler, Organized Noize
Producer [Produced By] – Organized Noize
Written-By – Andre Benjamin, Antwan Patton, Cameron Gipp, Darryl Barnes, Darryl Swann, Dion Derek Murdock, Greg Mays, Jeremy Ruzumna, Macy Gray, Patrick Brown, Raymon Murray, Rico Wade, Robert Barnett, Thomas Burton

MACY GRAY - Sexual Revolution (2001) CD, Single, Enhanced / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Sexual Revolution (Radio Edit W/ Full Intro)    4:02
2    Sexual Revolution (Miguel Migs Petalpusher Vocal) 6:28
Remix – Miguel Migs
3    Winter Wonderland    2:54

MACY GRAY - The Id (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Macy Gray's throaty, somewhat strangled growl was a large reason why listeners were captivated by her debut album. They also loved the way the classicist songwriting was wrapped in fresh, colorful grooves and an idiosyncratic personality, sexy in its bohemian funkiness. On How Life Is became a word-of-mouth smash as much with the traditional urban R&B audience as it was with suburban college kids and NPR listeners, which left her with the freedom to do what she wanted on her second record, The Id. Here, Macy Gray lets her freak flag fly, almost to the detriment of everything else. Layers of overdubs are piled onto the record -- endless backing vocals, bubbling drum machines, loops, glistening synths, and gurgling guitars -- giving the record the appearance of a widescreen '70s soul fantasia filtered through postmodern hip-hop. Unfortunately, it's more appearance than reality, since there's not enough structure to support what the record wants to be. It often sounds good, often like a bright, contemporary take on Riot- and Fresh-era Sly Stone, but plays better in small doses. Over the course of the album, there's just too much effort in demonstrating Gray's "freakishness," culminating in the Germanic stomp of "Oblivion," and she just doesn't seem to have that much to say outside of cheerleading for "freaks" like her. So, it's an uneven second album, but there are moments that live up to the debut, such as "Sexual Revolution," "Boo" and, best of all, the Erykah Badu duet "Sweet Baby," easily the highlight of the album. There are just not enough of them to make this an entirely successful sophomore effort. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine  
Tracklist :
1    Relating To A Psychopath 4:48
Backing Vocals – Erica Yancey, Marina Bambino
Percussion – Davey Chedwiggen
Synthesizer [Casio], Piano [Stylophone] – Zac Rae
Synthesizer [Moog], Claves – Jeremy Ruzumna
2    Boo 4:25
Backing Vocals – Latina Webb, Lejon Walker
Synthesizer [Casio], Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Zac Rae
3    Sexual Revolution 4:45
Backing Vocals – Erica Yancey, Jane Lopez, Printz Board, Steve Baxter, Tim Izo Orindgreff
Drums – Isaih Avila
Strings – Lily Haydn
Synthesizer [Moog] – Jeremy Ruzumna
4    Hey Young World Part 2 4:03
Co-producer – Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson, Kiilu Grand
Drums – Herb Graham Jr.
Featuring – Slick Rick
Guitar – Zac Rae
Mixed By – Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson
Strings – Darryl Swann
5    Sweet Baby 3:49
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Darren Johnson
Featuring – Erykah Badu
Guitar – John Frusciante
Strings – Charles Veal Jr.
Synthesizer [Farfisa] – Keefus Ciancia
6    Harry 3:10
Clarinet – Tim Izo Orindgreff
Drums – Herb Graham Jr., Isaih Avila
Guitar – Dustin Boyer
Organ – Tim Carmon, Zac Rae
Percussion – Davey Chedwiggen
7    Gimme All Your Lovin' Or I Will Kill You 4:45
Backing Vocals – Pamela Williams
Flute – Tim Izo Orindgreff
Synthesizer – Jeremy Ruzumna
Synthesizer [Moog], Organ [Whirly] – Keefus Ciancia
Voice – Jeremy Ruzumna
8    Don't Come Around 4:37
Backing Vocals – Marina Bambino
Co-producer – Raphael Saadiq
Featuring – Sunshine Anderson
Flute – Tim Izo Orindgreff
Guitar, Strings – Raphael Saadiq
Organ – James Wooten
Strings – Charles Veal Jr.
9    My Nutmeg Phantasy 4:55
Backing Vocals – Lejon Walker, Marc Cross, Pamela Williams
Bass – Lonnie "Meganut" Marshall
Clarinet – Tim Izo Orindgreff
Claves – Billy Preston
Drums – Dion Murdock
Featuring – Angie Stone, Mos Def
Organ [Whirly] – Jeremy Ruzumna
Sitar – Gabby Lang
Synthesizer [Kurzweil], Organ [Whirly] – Keefus Ciancia
Synthesizer [Moog] – Zac Rae
10    Freak Like Me 3:38
Synthesizer, Organ [Whirly] – Zac Rae
11    Oblivion 2:49
Backing Vocals – Thom Russo
Mixed By – Thom Russo
Organ – Brian J. Durack
12    Forgiveness 5:17
Clarinet – Tracy Wannamoe
Percussion – Darryl Swann
Synthesizer [Wurlitzer], Clarinet – Zac Rae
Trombone – Tom Ralls
13    Blowin' Up Your Speakers 1:07
Clarinet – Tracy Wannamoe
Percussion – Darryl Swann
Synthesizer [Wurlitzer], Clarinet – Zac Rae
Trombone – Tom Ralls
14    Shed    4:17
Credits :    
Backing Vocals – Audra Cunningham Nishita (pistas: 6, 7, 9, 11), Darryl Swann (pistas: 7, 9, 11), Dawn Beckman (pistas: 1, 3, 6 to 11), Fannie Franklin (pistas: 6, 7, 9, 11), Stephanie Alexander (pistas: 1 to 3, 6, 8, 11), Sy Smith (pistas: 1 to 3, 6 to 9)
Bass – Dave Wilder (pistas: 1, 4 to 7), Mike Elizondo (pistas: 2, 3, 8, 10 to 13)
Drums – Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson (pistas: 4, 6, 8), Victor Indrizzo (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 to 13)
Guitar – Arik Marshall (pistas: 2, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13), Darryl Swann (pistas: 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13), Jinsoo Lim (pistas: 1, 3, 4, 9, 10)
Horns – Printz Board (pistas: 3, 7 to 9)
Keyboards [Chamberlain] – Zac Rae (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 12, 13)
Organ – Billy Preston (pistas: 5, 8, 9), Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 1, 5 to 7, 10, 12, 13)
Percussion – Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson (pistas: 3, 4, 6 to 13), Frank "Knuckles" Walker (pistas: 6, 10 to 13), Marina Bambino (pistas: 1, 3, 5)
Piano – Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 1, 4, 8, 10), Zac Rae (pistas: 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13)
Saxophone – Tim Izo Orindgreff (pistas: 3, 7, 9)
Scratches – DJ Killu Grand (pistas: 4, 6, 9, 12, 13)
Trombone – Steve Baxter (pistas: 3, 7 to 9)
Trumpet – Printz Board (pistas: 3, 7 to 9, 12, 13)

MACY GRAY - The Trouble with Being Myself (2009) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

From her debut, Macy Gray has been too eccentric to qualify as a straight pop singer, but far too inconsistent to be truly called a great artist -- except, of course, when considering her glorious whiskey-soaked voice. Her third album, The Trouble With Being Myself, is more of the same, a set of sub-standard songs with drowsy chord progressions, humdrum lyrics, and loose-limbed but musically comatose backing from her studio group (heavy on the Hammond organ). Gray still wields her hoarse yet tuneful voice like a genius, hitting every note she wants despite the cracks and never letting it sound overly contrived. Unfortunately, she also continues to be the victim of chart-focused, overly market-tested arrangements that never break out of the mold of soulful, organic R&B and pop. The single "When I See You" is pleasant but clearly a song that required no heavy lifting, and the most intriguing setup on the record -- "It Ain't the Money" featuring Pharoahe Monch and Beck -- is surprisingly desultory as well. (Monch's raps are uncharacteristically awkward, and Beck clumsily plays a stoner Timbaland with his background vocals.) After the unrepentant ego on display with her second album, The Id, the title here (as well as the cover shot, of Gray crouching in the corner of an abandoned house with a mistrustful look on her face) apparently speaks to the fact that Gray's been persecuted for being "different." But the commercial and critical indifference that greeted The Id wasn't due to a lack of acceptance, but to a set of songs that was utterly average. That same lack of distinction plagues The Trouble With Being Myself. Blessed with a voice that immediately announces itself, Gray still hasn't found a musical personality to complement it. by John Bush  
Tracklist :
1    When I See You 3:43
Backing Vocals – Audra Cunningham-Nishita
Co-producer – Dave Way
Guitar – Mark Ronson
Guitar, Synthesizer [Arp] – Dallas Austin
Mixed By [Additional] – Thom Russo
Producer [Vocals] – Darryl Swann
Synthesizer [Moog] – Adam McDougall
2    It Ain't The Money 4:07
Backing Vocals – Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Pharoahe Monch
Co-producer – DJ Kiilu Grand
Engineer [Additional] – Chris Wonzer
Featuring – Pharoahe Monch
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Beck
Music By – Beck Hansen, Pharoahe Monch
Turntables – Jeremy Ruzumna, DJ Kiilu Grand
Turntables, Programmed By – Mark Ronson
3    She Ain't Right For You 4:12
Arranged By [Strings] – David Campbell
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Zac Rae
Guitar – Jinsoo Lim
Programmed By – Dallas Austin
Synthesizer [Moog] – Adam McDougall
4    Things That Made Me Change 4:29
Bass Clarinet – Tracy Wannomae
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Zac Rae
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Printz Board
Music By – Andre "Dre" Harris, Vidal Davis
Programmed By – Dallas Austin
Trombone – Tom "Tombone" Rawls
5    Come Together 4:35
Backing Vocals – Dallas Austin, Marsha Ambrosius, Natalie Stewart
Bass – Chris Thomas
Clavinet – Jeremy Ruzumna
Co-producer – Dave Way
Guitar [Loop] – Victor Indrizzo
Music By – Christopher Thomas
Organ [Farfisa], Piano – Zac Rae
Saxophone – Charles Green
Trombone – Steve Baxter
Trumpet – Mike Harris
6    She Don't Write Songs About You 4:39
Co-producer – Darryl Swan
Music By – Darryl Swann
Programmed By – Darryl Swann
7    Jesus For A Day 3:30
Arranged By [Strings] – David Campbell
Backing Vocals – Traci Nelson
Clavinet, Organ [Wurlitzer], Organ – Zac Rae
Music By – Bobby Ross Avila, Izzy Avila
Piano, Backing Vocals – Bobby Ross Avila
Producer [Vocals] – Darryl Swann
8    My Fondest Childhood Memories 3:36
Backing Vocals – Ericka Yancey
Organ [Farfisa], Piano [Tack] – Zac Rae
Saxophone, Trombone – Dave Rolicke
Vocals [Opera] – Marsha "Songstress" Ambrosius
9    Happiness 4:13
Backing Vocals [Kids Choir] – Aanisah Hinds, Chris Richardson, Courtney Johnson, Happy Hinds, Joia Johnson, Logan Duntzelman, Sonny Swann, Tahmel Hinds
Chamberlin – Jeremy Ruzumna
Co-producer – Darryl Swan
Leader [Choir] – Dawn Beckman, Sy Smith
Music By – Darryl Swann
Organ [Wurlitzer] – Zac Rae
Programmed By, Guitar – Darryl Swann
Turntables – DJ Kiilu Grand
10    Speechless 4:16
Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Lukas Haas
Bass – Dave Wilder
Drums – Herb Graham Jr.
Organ [Hammond] – Adam MacDougall
Percussion – Maria Bambino
Piano, Synthesizer – Zac Rae
11    Screamin' 3:16
Backing Vocals – Estero, Kam Talbert, Maria Bambino, Rama Duke
Bass – Mike Elizondo
Co-producer – Kiilu Beckwith
Engineer [Additional] – Chris Wonzer
Guitar – Mark Ronson
Piano – Adam MacDougall
12    Every Now And Then 6:30
Backing Vocals – Maria Bambino
Organ – Jeremy Ruzumna
Percussion – Maria Bambino
Piano – Bobby Ross Avila
Programmed By – Israel Avila
Saxophone – Charles Green, Tracy Wannomae
Trombone – Steve Baxter, Tom "Tombone" Rawls
Trumpet – Mike Harris, Printz Board
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Chino Smith (pistas: 2, 3, 5, 8), Danielle Thomas (pistas: 4, 5, 8), Dawn Beckman (pistas: 2, 5, 6, 11), Fanny Franklin (pistas: 1, 3, 4), Macy Gray (pistas: 2, 6, 12), Sy Smith (pistas: 1, 4, 5, 11)
Bass – Justin Meldal-Johnsen (pistas: 1 to 4, 6 to 9, 12)
Chamberlin – Zac Rae (pistas: 3, 4, 8 to 10)
Drums – Victor Indrizzo (pistas: 1 to 9, 11, 12)
Guitar – Arik Marshall (pistas: 4, 5, 7, 8, 10), Victor Indrizzo (pistas: 1, 2, 9)
Lyrics By – Macy Gray
Music By – Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 1 to 3, 5 to 10, 12), Justin Meldal-Johnsen (pistas: 1 to 3, 6 to 10, 12), Macy Gray (pistas: 2, 6 to 9, 11, 12), Victor Indrizzo (pistas: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8 to 10, 12)
Organ [Hammond] – Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 3, 5, 8)
Organ [Wurlitzer] – Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 to 10, 12)
Percussion – Scott Breadman (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 8, 12)
Piano – Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 1, 8, 10)
Synthesizer – Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 1, 2, 6, 9, 11)
Synthesizer [Moog] – Jeremy Ruzumna (pistas: 2, 6, 11)

MACY GRAY - Big (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Though he's not the first high-profile producer in Macy Gray's career, will.i.am is the first to make a big difference -- but probably not the one listeners would expect. Gray, whose wonderfully woozy voice was always searching for the right songs and the right context, has usually sounded like a certain segment of '70s soul: the earthier deep soul of early Ann Peebles. Big, however, is the slickest album of Gray's career, with a production finesse that sounds like a different (and opposing) segment of '70s soul -- quiet storm, with its pristine sound, frequent synthesizers, fretless bass, and performances programmed to perfection. These are not the traditional makings of a solid Macy Gray record, but Big is startling and, overall, truly appealing (the first time those two adjectives could be honestly applied to Gray's music). In this slick context, the gritty character of her vocals comes into better focus. The songs, though still written Hollywood-style (with credits often going to three or four or five writers), fit in well with her personality and are among the best in her career. (There's no breakout single but there's also no dog in the bunch.) Meanwhile, a set of super-sized backing vocals gives Gray the testifying chorus she really needs; the opening "Finally Made Me Happy" features no less than Natalie Cole providing backup, and if it doesn't earn airplay on Tom Joyner's radio show, it'll be a tragic omission. As a producer, will.i.am has had trouble in the past when attempting to diversify -- which led to a horrible Sergio Mendes record, Timeless -- but he works well here. There are only a few nods to hip-hop, one good ("Ghetto Love") and the other one rather more difficult (for "Treat Me Like Your Money," will the rapper gets in a pair of stinkers: "I love you like money cuz I love you a lot" and "Baby don't ask me cuz that's the way it is and it's like that and that's the way it is"). It'll be interesting to see if past Macy Gray fans are willing to follow her into adult contemporary territory, while those who might like the new direction will be able to alter their perceptions of her. by John Bush  
Tracklist :
1    Finally Made Me Happy 4:02
Bass – Justin Meldal-Johnson
Drums – Victor Indrizzo
Featuring – Natalie Cole
Organ – Cassandra O'Neil
Piano – Cassandra O'Neil
Producer – Macy Gray, Ron Fair, will.i.am
Saxophone – Tim Izo
Strings – Ron Fair
Trumpet – Printz Board
2    Shoo Be Doo 4:04
Backing Vocals – Dawn Beckman, Phillip White
Bass – Justin Meldal-Johnson
Drums – Keith Harris
Guitar – Eric Jackson
Keyboards – Printz Board
Percussion – Keith Harris, Mike Shapiro, Phillip White
Piano – Ron Fair
Producer – Jared Gosselin, Phillip White, Ron Fair
Strings – Ron Fair
3    What I Gotta Do 3:08
Backing Vocals – Jeremy Gregory, Mike Lett, Phillip White
Bass – Caleb Speir
Drums – Victor Indrizzo
Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Ron Fair
Guitar – Josh Lopez
Keyboards – Cassandra O'Neil, Jeremy Ruzumna
Organ [Additional] – Ron Fair
Piano [Additional] – Ron Fair
Producer – Jared Gosselin, Phillip White
Strings – Ron Fair
4    Okay 4:09
Backing Vocals – Justin Timberlake, Macy Gray, will.i.am
Bass – Caleb Speir
Cello – Jennie D'Lorenzo
Drums – Justin Timberlake, Keith Harris
Keyboards – Justin Timberlake
Producer – Justin Timberlake, will.i.am
Strings – Larry Gold
Viola – Davis Barnett, Peter Nocello
Violin – Emma Kummrow, Ghilaine Gleishman, Gloria Justin, Igo Szwec
5    Glad You're Here 2:54
Bass – Caleb Speir
Drums – Victor Indrizzo
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Keith Harris
Featuring – Fergie
Flute – Tim Izo
Guitar – George Pajon Jr.
Keyboards – Printz Board
Organ – Ron Fair
Piano – Ron Fair
Producer – Ron Fair, will.i.am
Strings – Ron Fair
6    Ghetto Love 3:08
Backing Vocals – Dawn Beckman, Glen McIntyre, Jay Anderson, Paloma Ford
Drums – Mike Shapiro
Guitar – George Pajon Jr.
Keyboards – will.i.am
Producer – will.i.am
7    One For Me 4:09
Backing Vocals – Dawn Beckman
Bass – Justin Meldal-Johnson
Clarinet – Tim Izo
Drums – Keith Harris
Guitar – George Pajon Jr.
Keyboards – Keith Harris, Mike Farrell
Piano – Ron Fair
Producer – Ron Fair, will.i.am
Strings – Ron Fair
8    Strange Behavior 3:35
Backing Vocals – Paloma Ford
Bass – Caleb Speir
Drums – Mike Shapiro
Keyboards – Mike Farrell
Producer – Macy Gray, will.i.am
Trumpet – Printz Board
9    Slowly 3:54
Backing Vocals – Paloma Ford
Bass – Justin Meldal-Johnson
Guitar – George Pajon Jr.
Harmonica – Ron Fair
Percussion – Mike Shapiro
Producer – Ron Fair
10    Get Out 4:01
Backing Vocals – Justin Timberlake, Macy Gray
Bass – Caleb Speir
Drums – Mike Shapiro
Guitar – Dan Rockett, Justin Timberlake
Keyboards – Justin Timberlake
Producer – Justin Timberlake, will.i.am
11    Treat Me Like Your Money 3:27
Backing Vocals – Dawn Beckman
Bass – Justin Meldal-Johnson
Drums – Victor Indrizzo
Featuring – will.i.am
Guitar – George Pajon Jr.
Keyboards – Keith Harris, Printz Board
Producer – Noiztrip, will.i.am
12    Everybody 3:16
Backing Vocals – Dawn Beckman, Khalfani White
Drums – Keith Harris
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Printz Board
Keyboards – Printz Board
Piano – Keith Harris
Producer – will.i.am
Saxophone – Tim Izo

MACY GRAY - Beauty In The World (2010) CD, Single / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Beauty In The World    3:34
2    Beauty In The World (Cutmore radio Edit) 3:07
Remix – Cutmore
3    Beauty In The World (Ruff Loaderz Radio Edit) 3:22
Remix – Ruff Loaderz

MACY GRAY - The Sellout (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Macy Gray began working on The Sellout just after her fourth studio album, Big, and the reasons it took three years to release are evident from the credits: she wrote lyrics plus music for most of the songs. The results of that effort are apparent, and they're not good. Gray wields one of the most naturally talented voices in R&B, but from the evidence here, she's not a songwriter, and her material for The Sellout proves she needn't worry further about selling out if she keeps on composing -- commercial success will easily avoid her. The first single, "Beauty in the World," has a lyric and melody by Gray alone, and despite the positive sentiments in the song, its melody is unmemorable and it includes a few embarrassing lines (e.g., "There is beauty in this world/So much beauty in this world/Always beauty in this world/So much beauty in this world/Shake your booty boys and girls/For the beauty in the world"). Still, there are a parade of collaborators on The Sellout, leading to plenty of solid moments, including the Rodney Jerkins production on "Help Me," the tender "Still Hurts" (written by Teedra Moses and Gray), and a few songs written and produced by Jared Lee Gosselin and Phillip White -- including "Real Love" with Bobby Brown, which succeeds wildly with its updated quiet storm production. Gray's vocals have only gotten better with time, and although she doesn't attempt to stretch at all, she's still one of the best-felt voices in neo-soul. As long as she avoids composing her own material without help from a few professionals, she'll ensure a long career. by John Bush  
Tracklist :
1    The Sellout 3:57
Producer – Chase N. Cashe, HIT-BOY
2    Lately 2:56
Producer – Kaz James, The Brothers Rise
Keyboards [Keys] – Ely "The Creep" Rise
3    Kissed It 4:36
Co-producer – Jared Lee Gosselin
Producer – Corey "OZ" Simon, Kannon "Caviar" Cross
Vocals [Featuring] – Velvet Revolver
4    Still Hurts 3:50
Producer – Jared Lee Gosselin, Phillip White
Vocals [Featuring] – Romika
5    Beauty In The World 3:49
Co-producer – Jared Lee Gosselin, Phillip White
Producer – Corey "OZ" Simon, Kannon "Caviar" Cross, Macy Gray
6    Help Me 4:37
Producer – Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
7    Let You Win 3:56
Producer – Jared Lee Gosselin, Phillip White
8    That Man 3:32
Co-producer – Jared Lee Gosselin, Lamar "Kronik" Mitchell
Producer – Phillip White
9    Stalker 2:27
Producer – Jared Lee Gosselin*, Phillip White
Producer [Additional] – Tony Hardy
10    Real Love 4:02
Producer – Jared Lee Gosselin, Phillip White
Vocals [Featuring] – Bobby Brown
11    On & On 3:19
Producer – Don Cannon, HIT-BOY
12    The Comeback 4:04
Co-producer – Phillip White
Producer – Jared Lee Gosselin, Macy Gray

MACY GRAY - Covered (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Covered isn't just a collection of familiar songs given the Macy Gray treatment -- it's a frequently funny journey through what makes Macy Gray Macy Gray, with celebrity guests visiting to offer advice (like JB Smoove advising she wield a sword on-stage, or Nicole Scherzinger saying she should sing more Alanis Morissette songs). Fortunately, all of it's enlivened by Gray's ability to (mostly) deliver strong performances that don't sound like they've been labored over. With her keyboard-led live band in tow, Gray mashes Eurythmics' "Here Comes the Rain Again" with Radiohead's "Creep," Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" with Nina Simone's "Buck." Her choice and range of material to cover are astonishing, always yielding songs that are perfect for her (and her audience), like "Smoke Two Joints," done earlier by Sublime as well as the Toyes. by John Bush
Tracklist :
1     Here Comes the Rain Again 3:44
Annie Lennox / Dave Stewart
2     Creep 4:18
Colin Greenwood / Jonny Greenwood / Albert Hammond / Mike Hazelwood / Thom Yorke
3     You Want Them Nervous (Skit) 1:12
Macy Gray / JB Smoove / Hal Wilner
4     Smoke Two Joints 2:48
Jean-Christophe Kay / Michael Kay
5     La La La (Teaching the Kids) 0:25
Layann Al-Saud / Avery Albert / Happy Hinds / Siena Steiber / Zoux
6     Teenagers 2:56
Robert Bryar / Frank Iero / Raymond Toro / Gerard Way / Michael Way
7     The Power of Love 0:41
Hugh Salk / Zoux
8     Nothing Else Matters 5:42
James Hetfield / Lars Ulrich
9     Sail 4:27
Aaron Bruno
10     I Try Is Cool and All, But... (Skit) 1:29
Macy Gray / Nicole Scherzinger / Hal Wilner
11     Maps 2:51
Karen O
12     Lovelockdown / Buck 3:59
Jeff Bhasker / Jenny-Bea Englishman / Jan Menzies / Andy Stroud / Malik Yusef
13     Mel Rap 0:33
Mel Hinds / Zoux
14     Bubbly 3:11
Colbie Caillat / Jason Reeves
15     Wake Up 3:51
Edwin Butler / William Butler / Régine Chassagne / Tim Kingsbury / Richard Parry
16     Really? 2:21
Macy Gray / MC Lyte / Hal Wilner

MACY GRAY - Talking Book (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     You Are the Sunshine of My Life 3:11
Stevie Wonder
2     Maybe Your Baby 4:22
Stevie Wonder
3     You and I (We Can Conquer the World) 3:10
Stevie Wonder
4     Tuesday Heartbreak 3:34
Stevie Wonder
5     You've Got It Bad Girl 4:29
Yvonne Wright
6     Superstition 4:30
Stevie Wonder
7     Big Brother 3:41
Stevie Wonder
8     Blame It on the Sun 3:47
Stevie Wonder / Syreeta Wright
9     Lookin' for Another Pure Love 3:51
Stevie Wonder
10     I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever) 4:35
Stevie Wonder / Yvonne Wright

 

MACY GRAY - The Way (2014) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After the diverse Covered and a song-by-song of Stevie Wonder's Talking Book, both of which were released by the Universal-distributed 429 in 2012, Macy Gray returned with a set of originals issued through her new label, named (honest) Happy Mel Boopy Touring Co. Compared to The Sellout, her previous album of original material, The Way is significantly less slick -- a no-fuss organic recording that involves some of the personnel from the 429 albums, including multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey "Zoux" Bluestein and guitarist Martin Estrada. There are some notable guest appearances, the most prominent of which comes from Booker T. Jones, who plays on and co-produced the blissful "First Time." Tracy Nelson and Ledisi contribute some vocals, though Nelson's wailing is strangely submerged in the mix of "I Miss the Sex." While the album is brief and was recorded in a relatively simplified setting, there is a wide range of approaches, including romping blues-rock ("Bang Bang"), lively disco ("Hands"), orchestral soul ("Queen of the Big Hurt"), and multiple shades of Southern soul (including the hushed "Stoned," in which Gray purrs, "I've got the giggles, and baby, I'm loads of fun"). The results are approximately as scattered. Gray's obvious comfort level and charm, however, help compensate for the less than ideal quantity of magnetizing material. by Andy Kellman  Tracklist :
1     Stoned 4:05
Tamir Barzilay / Martin Estrada / Ethan Farmer / Macy Gray / Happy Hinds / Mel Hinds / Adam "Royal Z" Waldman
2     Bang Bang 3:43
Andre Brissett / Macy Gray / Jason Hill / Sylvester Jordan
3     Hands 3:44
Uncle Chucc / Macy Gray / Adam "Royal Z" Waldman
4     I Miss the Sex 3:52
Nick Ackerman / Macy Gray / Jason Hill
5     First Time 3:21
Jeffrey Bluestein / Macy Gray
6     The Way 4:01
Macy Gray / Adam "Royal Z" Waldman
7     Queen of the Big Hurt 5:18
Macy Gray / Jason Hill
8     Me with You 4:52
Macy Gray / Tony Hardy / Caleb Speir / Adam "Royal Z" Waldman
9     Need You Now 4:37
Michelle Bell / Jeffrey Bluestein / Uncle Chucc / Macy Gray / Mario James / Adam "Royal Z" Waldman / Phillip White
10     Life 3:05
Sam Barsh / Macy Gray / BC Jean / Adam "Royal Z" Waldman

MACY GRAY - Stripped (2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded for Chesky as part of the label's Binaural+ series, this session, Macy Gray's ninth proper studio album, was caught by a single microphone in a Brooklyn church. Backed by a quartet featuring trumpeter Wallace Roney, drummer Ari Hoenig, bassist Daryl Johns, and guitarist Russell Malone, it's a natural direction for Gray, as she started in jazz bands, putting her unique spin on classics, and has cited jazz vocalists as influences throughout her career. Apart from two originals and as many covers, Gray revisits her own work. "I Try" and "Slowly" are transformed into quiet rumbles, while "Sweet Baby" gets a Bo Diddley beat makeover. She even goes back to Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters," guided by Johns' bass, which alternates between a stutter and a strut. Bob Marley's "Redemption Song," which Gray has been performing since Hurricane Katrina (if not earlier), gets a solemn, lullaby-like reading. The finishing touch, the lone song Gray and the band wrote together, is a lovely ballad that showcases Roney and, well, the singer's suggestive wordplay. All of this is best heard in a late-night setting. The volume of Gray's rasping voice rarely breaks above the level of an intimate conversation -- at times, she sounds a bit off in the distance -- and the group plays as if it's trying not to disturb a dozing parishioner. For all its emphasis on the past, Stripped sounds like a step forward  by Andy Kellman  
Tracklist :
1     Annabelle 5:10
Macy Gray / Dave Sardy / Mayaeni Strauss / Adam Waldman
2     Sweet Baby 5:03
Macy Gray / Joe Solo
3     I Try 4:16
Macy Gray / Jinsoo Lim / Jeremy Ruzumna / David Wilder
4     Slowly 5:17
Jared Gosselin / Natalie Hinds / George Pajon Jr. / Justin Mendal-Johnson / Phillip White
5     She Ain’t Right for You 4:56
Macy Gray / Victor Indrizzo / Justin Mendal-Johnson / Jeremy Ruzumna
6     First Time 4:10
Jeff Bluestein / Macy Gray
7     Nothing Else Matters 6:40
James Hetfield / Lars Ulrich
8     Redemption Song 3:23
Bob Marley
9     The Heart 5:15
Sam Barsh / Macy Gray / Adam Waldman
10     Lucy 6:48
Macy Gray / Ari Hoenig / Daryl Johns / Russell Malone / Wallace Roney
Credits :
Bass – Daryl Johns
Drums – Ari Hoenig
Guitar – Russell Malone
Producer – David Chesky, Norman Chesky
Trumpet – Wallace Roney
Vocals – Macy Gray

MACY GRAY - Ruby (2018) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Buddha 4:11
Backing Vocals – Andreas Carlsson, Colette Carlsson, Traci Nelson
Cello – David Bukovinszky
Featuring, Guitar, Soloist – Gary Clark Jr.
Producer, Programmed By, Synth, Guitar, Piano, Organ [B3], Tambourine – Johan Carlsson
Strings, Arranged By [Strings] – Mattias Bylund
Violin – Mattias Johansson
Written-By – Johan Jens Erik Carlsson, Macy Gray
2    Cold World 3:06
Backing Vocals – Austin Brown, Isabella Sjöstrand*, Kelly Lumpkins, Viktoria Hansen
Drums – Gabriel Santana
Producer, Backing Vocals, Programmed By, Arranged By, Xylophone – Thomas Lumpkins
Saxophone, Flute – Tim "Izo" Orindgreff
Strings – Leah Zeager
Trombone – Christopher Johnson
Trumpet – Printz Board
Written-By – Kelly Lumpkins, Macy Gray, Thomas Lumpkins
Xylophone – Austin Brown
3    Over You 3:46
Arranged By [Horn] – Mattias Bylund, Nils-Petter Ankarblom
Backing Vocals – Thomas Lumpkins
Bass – Michael Engstrom
Producer, Backing Vocals, Programmed By, Organ [B3], Piano, Guitar, Tambourine – Johan Carlsson
Tenor Saxophone – Tomas Jonsson
Trombone – Peter Noos Johansson
Trumpet – Jan-Anders Bjerger
Written-By – Johan Jens Erik Carlsson, Macy Gray, Thomas Lumpkins
4    White Man 3:13
Backing Vocals – Bianca Atterberry, Michael Foster, Scootie
Producer, Backing Vocals, Arranged By [Horn], Synth – Thomas Lumpkins
Producer, Programmed By – Tommy Brown
Programmed By, Synth – Ryan Tedder, Travis Sayles
Saxophone, Flute – Tim "Izo" Orindgreff
Trombone – Chris Johnson
Trumpet – Printz Board
Vocals, Soloist, Backing Vocals – Nastasia Griffin
Written-By – Bianca "Blush" Atterberry, Macy Gray, Michael Foster, Ryan Matthew Tedder, Thomas Lumpkins, Tommy "TB Hits" Brown, Travis J Sayles
5    Tell Me 3:30
Baritone Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Wojtek Goral
Clarinet, Violin, Soloist – Max Carling
Double Bass – Michael Engstrom
Guitar – Per Strandberg
Producer, Programmed By, Guitar – Johan Carlsson
Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Wojtek Goral
Trombone – Peter Noos Johansson
Trombone, Trumpet, Soloist – Gunhild Carling
Trumpet – Jan-Anders Bjerger
Written-By – Johan Jens Erik Carlsson, Macy Gray, Phillip Anthony White, Rama Duke
6        Sugar Daddy 3:38
Backing Vocals – Bianca Atterbury
Backing Vocals, Synth, Keyboards – Meghan Trainor
Producer, Backing Vocals, Synth, Keyboards – Thomas Lumpkins
Producer, Programmed By, Synth, Keyboards – Tommy Brown
Written-By – Bianca "Blush" Atterberry, Macy Gray, Meghan Trainor, Thomas Lumpkins, Tommy "TB Hits" Brown
7    When It Ends 4:32
Backing Vocals – Sonyae Elise, Traci Nelson
Bass – Alex Kyhn
Drums – Gabriel Santana
Drums, Guitar – Austin Brown
Producer, Backing Vocals – Macy Gray
Producer, Synth, Keyboards – Thomas Lumpkins
Programmed By, Synth, Keyboards – Britten Newbill, Scott Bruzenak
Written-By – Britten Newbill, Macy Gray, Scott Bruzenak, Thomas Lumpkins
8    Just Like Jenny 2:58
Backing Vocals – Bianca Atterberry
Co-producer – Michael Foster
Producer, Backing Vocals, Synth, Keyboards – Thomas Lumpkins
Producer, Programmed By, Synth, Keyboards – Tommy Brown
Programmed By – Michael David Foster
Written-By – Bianca "Blush" Atterberry, Macy Gray, Thomas Lumpkins, Tommy "TB Hits" Brown
9    Jealousy 3:49
Backing Vocals – Maiya Sykes, Mika Lett, Ross Golan
Cello – David Bukovinszky
Clarinet, Soloist, Baritone Saxophone – Wojtek Goral
Horns, Strings, Arranged By [String & Horn] – Mattias Bylund
Producer, Programmed By, Piano, Guitar [Nylon], Organ [B3], Bass Guitar – Johan Carlsson
Tenor Saxophone – Tomas Jonsson
Trombone – Peter Noos Johansson
Trombone, Trumpet, Soloist – Gunhild Carling
Trumpet – Jan-Anders Bjerger
Violin – Mattias Johansson
Written-By – Johan Jens Erik Carlsson, Macy Gray, Ross Golan
10    Shinanigins 2:42
Backing Vocals – Mika Lett, Phillip White, Rama Duke, Tahmel Hinds, Tony Fote
Bass – Alex Kyhn
Co-producer, Drums, Soloist, Percussion – Trevor Lawrence, Jr.
Handclaps – Austin Brown, Pete "Luv" Farmer
Instruments [Bottles] – Charyn Harris
Producer, Backing Vocals – Macy Gray
Producer, Backing Vocals, Programmed By, Percussion, Keyboards, Synth, Instruments [Bottles] – Thomas Lumpkins
Written-By – Bianca "Blush" Atterberry, Macy Gray, Tahmel Hinds, Thomas Lumpkins, Trevor Lawrence Jr.
11    But He Loves Me 3:41
Backing Vocals – Nastasia Griffin, Thomas Lumpkins
Bass – Caleb Speir
Cello – David Bukovinszky
Drums – Tamir Barzilay
Organ [B3], Keyboards – Jon Jackson, Jr.
Piano – Billy Wesson
Producer, Programmed By, Keyboards, Synth – Johan Carlsson
Strings, Arranged By [String] – Mattias Bylund
Violin – Mattias Johansson
Written-By – Jonathan Jackson Jr., Macy Gray, Tamir Barzilay
12    Witness 4:16
Backing Vocals – Isabella Sjöstrand, Viktoria Hansen
Backing Vocals, Synth, Keyboards – Austin Brown
Co-producer, Backing Vocals, Programmed By, Arranged By [Horn], Synth, Keyboards, Guitar – Anton Göransson
Producer, Backing Vocals, Arranged By [Horn], Synth, Keyboards – Thomas Lumpkins
Producer, Programmed By – Tommy Brown
Saxophone, Flute – Tim "Izo" Orindgreff
Trombone – Chris Johnson
Trumpet – Printz Board, Stuart Cole
Trumpet, Soloist – Stuart Cole
Written-By – Anton Göransson, Austin Brown, Isabella Sjöstrand, Macy Gray, Thomas Lumpkins, Viktoria Hansen