Take 6 - Beautiful World (2002) FLAC

Tracks

01. Takin' It To The Streets
02. People Get Ready
03. Grandma's Hands
04. Love's In Need Of Love Today
05. Beautiful World
06. Don't Give Up
07. Wade In The Water
08. Someday We'll All Be Free (feat. Lalah Hathaway)
09. Everlasting
10. Fragile
11. Peace In The Valley
12. Street Jam
13. Lovely Day

Personnel

Marc Antoine Guitar (Acoustic)
Kyle Bess Assistant Engineer
Roni Burks Wardrobe
Alvin Chea Vocals
Vinnie Colaiuta Drums
Cedric Dent Arranger, Drum Programming, Percussion Programming, Piano, Vocal Arrangement
Khaliq Glover Drum Programming, Percussion
Lalah Hathaway Guest Artist, Primary Artist, Vocals
Joey Kibble Composer, Engineer, Vocals
Karima Kibble Choir/Chorus
Mark Kibble Composer, Engineer, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals
Sherrie Kibble Choir/Chorus
Claude V. McKnight III Composer, Vocals
Marcus Miller Arranger, Clarinet (Bass), Composer, Drum Programming, Fender Rhodes, Guitar, Guitar (Bass), Horn Arrangements, Keyboards, Mini Moog, Organ, Percussion Programming, Piano, Producer, Stomping, Synthesizer Bass, Synthesizer Strings
Tiffany Palmer Choir/Chorus
Shandra Penix Choir/Chorus
Kevin Ricard Congas, Percussion
David Sanborn Composer, Guest Artist, Sax (Alto)
Michael "Patches" Stewart Trumpet
Kirk Whalum Guest Artist, Sax (Tenor)

With intelligence, imagination, passion, and skill, Take 6 offers an unprecedented convergence of a cappella vocal artistry with solid instrumental accompaniment on Beautiful World. Produced by the highly talented Marcus Miller (of Miles Davis' electric period fame) and fueled by the intriguing messages delivered on 13 great songs from the pop, gospel, and soul styles, Beautiful World is overflowing with inventive lyricism and catches the listener up in Take 6's musical stories. The title track is performed with new lyrics to the verses that give it an actual gospel message, a departure from the tongue-in-cheek cynicism of the original song released as "I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World)" by Steely Dan. David Thomas sings a very beautiful "Fragile" -- the pop hit made famous by Sting -- with such reverence and feeling that he transcribes the song's impact for a new generation of soul/gospel enthusiasts. On "Takin' It to the Streets," the addition of alto saxophone riffs by David Sanborn alongside the six-man group's vocal harmonizing makes it even more enjoyable. Alvin Chea's vocal bass "walkin'" style of a cappella singing is the perfect alter ego for Marcus Miller's explorative "talkin'" bass guitar lines that have been heard around the world. Joey Kibble's fresh reprise on "Grandma's Hands" is uplifting, containing spiritual encouragement that, along with a ripe saxophone interpretation of the refrain, makes this song a pick. The multiple award-winning group's classic African-American gospel-based interpretations of some of the most enjoyable music of the 20th century -- combined with new instrumental dimensions -- make Beautiful World an excellent addition to your listening pleasures.

Paula Edelstein