The duo
Impromp 2 offers up a cool, tasty blend of mellow jazz, below-the-belt, hard-driving funk, sexy late-night grooves, and sweet soul music.On their Motown/MoJazz debut,
You're Gonna Love It, vocalist/trumpeter
Johnny Britt and scat stylist/rapper Sean E. Mac come up with an album whose basic musical approach sets it apart in an age of clone-like repetition. Produced by Scotland's Steve Harvey, the duo wanted to have the real richness of old-school R&B and aaccomplishedthis by using live musicians.The lineup includes
Isley Brothers' bassist
Sekou Bunch, guitarist
Jimmy Macon and
Roman Johnson on Fender Rhodes and Mini-Moog, both of
the Gap Band, and producer Harvey on drums, keyboards, and percussion.The sly mid-groover "Lovin' You" has muted trumpet lines and chilled, tilted, and whispered vocals. Fans of
Sade will certainly enjoy the laid-back "Summer Nights." It contains a sample of the
Stevie Wonder/Susan Greene composition "I Can't Help It."
Impromp 2 captures both the feel of
Michael Jackson's original version found on
Off the Wall and
Grover Washington, Jr.'s cover on
Skylarkin' while at the same time adding their own flavor. Guitarist
Bobby Broom's licks will make you feel like going out to the beach and spreading out a blanket, no matter what season it is. The tasty "My All" is steeped in the "Marvin (Gaye) Method" with the soft bump of a
Mary Jane Girls' ballad. The sensitive title track, "You're Gonna Love It," is a perfect soundpiece to put you in the mood for a classy night on the town with its easy, soulful vocals, sinewy electric basslines, light ttambourine and gentle bouncy beat. "Pass It On"'s soft funky jazz has has weaving trumpet runs, cool chants, and instigative wah-wah guitar. You're gonna love every cut on this rare treat from
Impromp 2. ~ Ed Hogan