VERVE/UNIVERSAL RECORDING ARTIST BRIAN CULBERTSON RELEASES LP DREAMS FEATURING R&B/SOUL FAVORITES VIVIAN GREEN, NOEL GOURDIN & STOKLEY WILLIAMS OF MINT CONDITION |
Award winning R&B musician and multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson is #1 added and in Top 20 on Urban Adult Contemporary radio with the lead single “Still Here” f/ Philly songbird Vivian Green off his forthcoming LP Dreams available for Pre-Order on Amazon (Los Angeles, California – June 5, 2012) This summer, prolific R&B/Jazz musician Brian Culbertson invites you to close your eyes, open your ears, and fall deep into a lush world of musical fantasy with his breathtaking thirteenth album Dreams(Verve/Universal). With the help of lauded guest vocalists Vivian Green, Noel Gourdin and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, Dreams masterfully melds jazz sensibility with an R&B flair in a wondrous mélange of enchanting grooves. The result is a stunning collection of 10 mesmerizing tunes, including the poignant lead single “Still Here” – featuring the soulful rapture of Vivian Green, telling the passionate tale of how taking a risk on love can have a happy ending. “Your Smile,” the album’s lead jazz single, is an exquisite rhythmic excursion underscored with an undeniable buoyant groove. Brian recruited the R&B vocal prowess of singer Stokley Williams to enhance the melodic elegance of “No Limits,” whose romantic lyrics accentuate the thrill of actualizing an altruistic union. On “You’re My Music,” Boston-based singer Noel Gourdin pours his thick, soulful vocals over both Brian’s shimmering piano chords and bass guitar licks. On Dreams, Brian brought together a group of “who’s who” in music including: R&B producer and longtime collaborator and arranger Rex Rideout (Angie Stone, Ledisi, Luther Vandross, Lalah Hathaway, Will Downing, Kem); four of R&B’s top session players to help round out the sound – bassist Alex Al (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones); and guitarists Michael Thompson (Babyface, Toni Braxton), Rob Bacon (Beyonce, Raphael Saadiq), and John “Jubu” Smith (Frankie Beverly & Maze, Whitney Houston). Brian recently released his 4-track EP Dreams featuring several of the album’s stellar tracks, “Your Smile,” “Later Tonight,” “Still Here” f/ Vivian Green and “No Limits” f/ Stokley Williams. The EP serves as a delectable audio appetizer for Brian’s full length album due out this Summer 2012. Having worked with an array of stellar R&B artists such as Faith Evans, Ledisi, Brian McKnight, Kenny Lattimore, Musiq Soulchild and Avant on his past albums – in total, Brian has produced or performed on over 25 No. 1 records, received multiple accolades, topped Billboard Charts, covered magazines and has been lauded by Prince. 2012 is certain to be a pivotal turning point in Brian’s illustrious career. Dreams holds the key to a new dimension of the jazz listening experience by effortlessly combining elements of R&B and soul with spellbinding melodies and the marvel of inner visions. With Dreams, as with his previous efforts, Brian proceeds to keep the genre of jazz alive and viable by consistently injecting a fresh approach into his own unique sensibility. Dreams definitely proves that jazz and groove fit hand-in-glove. You can pre order the LP here http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-
“Anyone with a prescient ear might have predicted that his sensuous lightly grooving and highly melodic style would work well in the format, but 13 years, eight hit albums and some 20 No. 1 Radio & Records airplay singles later, Brian Culbertson has also emerged as one of the genres most riveting live acts.” Music Connection
“He taps a funk dream team for old school sounds that nod to P-Funk, Kool & the Gang and Earth Wind & Fire“ People Magazine
“Culbertson’s bread and butter are his instrumentals, and they’re excellent.” Jazz Times
“The sweet and sultry tracks off the album are purposely designed to be a kind of auditory aphrodisiac.” NPR
“From start to finish you rode on Brian’s keyboard to his magical musical wonderland whether he stood in front or behind the keyboard and played.” Smooth Jazz Magazine
“Brian Culbertson is funny, adventurous and a great musician. He loves people and he loves music.” Ledisi Listen to Single “Still Here” f/ Vivian Green |