Kevin ToneyAs far as hip and funky smooth jazz keyboardists go, Kevin Toney may not get the type of press and exposure that Brian Culbertson gets, but he more than compensates on Sweet Spot with an incredible array of grooves and a soulful style rooted in a 30-year career as an R&B heavyweight. And groove-intensive it is, from the thick shuffle behind the dreamy melody and speedy improves of "Mister T" to the consistent throb (courtesy of bassist Mel Brown) on the jumpy and instantly hummable title track. Unlike many purveyors of his instrument who use guest sax players because it's more radio-friendly, Toney seems to basically say, "here's what I do, dance, tap your toes, listen to me jam, forget the horns." The one exception to this, the retro-flavored, joyfully discofied "Coast to Coast," is more of a marketing idea in that he defers to new labelmate Pamela Williams rather than an outside star. Tracking Toney's influences is fun, in that he goes from the ultramodern (a lush reading of the recent pop hit "Dilemma," featuring Paul Jackson Jr. on guitar) to a playful party tune ("So Much Fun") reminiscent of the Ramsey Lewis experience, complete with spirited background conversations а la "The In Crowd." Sweet indeed. — Jonathan Victor Bailey - Bass (Electric)
Kevin Toney - Piano, Arranger, Keyboards, Programming, Producer, Drum Programming, Synthesizer Programming
Bruce Ablin - Piano Engineer
Craig T. Cooper - Guitar
Paul Jackson Jr. - Guitar
Aaron Mills - Bass (Electric)
Kevin O'Neal - Bass (Acoustic)
Mike Smith - Percussion, Vocals
Robert Vosgien - Mastering
Pamela Williams - Sax (Soprano)
Lamont VanHook - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Anthony Barboza - Cover Photo
Timothy Fielding - Tray Photo
Bossman - Engineer
Robert Turner - Arranger, Keyboards, Synthesizer Bass, Synthesizer Programming
Lisa Vaughn - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Ernest Tibbs III - Bass (Electric)
Kevin McNeal - Bass (Acoustic)
Carey Mason - Drums
Michael Blum - Mixing
Todd Hunter - Synthesizer
Mel Brown - Bass, Bass (Electric)
Ralph Jones - Flute
Brent Robinson - Arranger
