Saxophonist and bassist Gerald Albright is ready to deliver his second CD on the Peak Records label. This time, the popular musician is offering a tribute to the spirit of Memphis and its legendary Stax Records label with the album Sax For Stax, due June 24th.
Albright includes new versions of Stax gems like the Staple Singers' "Respect Yourself" featuring Ledisi; Johnnie Taylor's "Cheaper To Keep Her" and "Who's Making Love"; and the Dramatics' "What You See Is What You Get" featuring Earth, Wind & Fire vocalist Philip Bailey. Longtime pal Will Downing also serves up a vocal on the tune "Never Can Say Goodbye," which was a hit when covered by Stax legend Isaac Hayes.
Sax For Stax includes original compositions by Albright that salute the hometown of Stax, including "Memphis Passion" featuring Kirk Whalum and "Walkin Down Beale Street."
Albright produced the project, with co-production on several tunes provided by contemporary jazz hit maker Rex Rideout.
Albright has toured extensively over the past few years, and is featured in the current Guitars & Saxes trek. Both live and on record, the artist tries to bring something special to his performances: "Whenever I get a chance to have a conversation with the horn, let's say on a mid-tempo or an up-tempo or a love ballad or something I really take it seriously and I try to emote in a way where so people can feel what I'm trying to say. And I'm truly trying to have a conversation with the horn as opposed to trying to take some licks out of the technique book and place it in the right place in a solo. It's really about emoting correctly so that people can feel it, that's what they really want to hear."
Albright will appear May 16th at the Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas with Guitars & Saxes, which also features Jeff Lorber, Jeff Golub, and Peter White.
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