Search - Brian Culbertson :: XII

Great and Not So Great

Bill Ross | Chicago, IL, US | 07/26/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I own everything that Brian Culbertson has ever done, and he's on my automatic purchase list. This new release, for the most part, delivers the goods. The instrumental tracks are 4-star outstanding tracks and a case could be made that this is some of his best work to date. My beef with this new release is the vocal tracks. First, he comes out of the gate with a gimmicky track featuring Sinbad in the intro and some incredibly lame and inane vocals by Chuck Brown. Here's an idea for ya Chuck...Shut Up!!! If the vocals would have been jettisoned from this track it would have been one of the killer tracks on the album, if not the best track. Brian, you need to understand that the music is timeless, but all this gimicky trash gets old really fast when you listen to the tracks repeatedly. Then there's a couple of bland R&B tracks. Look Brian, if I want to hear Kenny Latimore and Avant (I don't), I would buy their CDs. Why you want to be reduced to being a session player on 4 tracks of your own CD completely evades me. Why don't you release the vocal tracks as a side project "Brian and the Culbertones" or something like that, and just PLAY on your own CDs."

Stay Wit It BC!

L. Taylor | United States | 07/20/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there's one word that sums up Brian Culbertson's recording career, it's 'consistent.' If you've heard any of his albums or hit singles, then you know what to expect from him: beautifully instrumental and mid-tempo tracks to some real upbeat nasty funk. And his latest release, XII, released in the U.S. on July 20th, 2010 is no exception. This album is a representation of what Brian is capable of doing for all of his fans. He is an out-of-the-box thinker who is always challenging himself to create something different to keep his sound in the present. This album features the hit, "Skies Wide Open", which features R&B sensation Avant. You will not be disappointed with this one.

"

Album of the year 2010 & probably the last 5 years!

Phil Green | UK | 08/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A few weeks ago I reviewed "Diamonds" by Jonathan Fritzen and pronounced it smooth jazz album of 2010. In my review of his previous album, "VIP," I made the quote "move over Brian Culbertson, there's a new kid on the block."



I feel I must now eat my words because Brian Culbertson has come up with arguably the best album of the last 5 years and without a shadow of a doubt his best album ever.



He has been gradually moving away from the smooth jazz tag over his last couple of projects and now offers an album of diversity that incorporates funk, soul, new age, pop and of course smooth jazz.



The opening track featuring gogo maestro Chuck Brown would have been the best track on his last album "Bringing Back The Funk." We are then treated to guest vocalist Kenny Lattimore on "Another Love" and shortly afterwards guest vocalist Brian McKnight on "Out OnThe Floor." Now, as a lover of real soul music, I hate the dirge like R & B artists of the day but these two singers have successfully transcended that genre and are genuine bonafide soul singers with fantastic voices and credibility and acceptability within soul circles and Brian could not have chosen two better guests. There is a further vocal track, "Skies Wide Open," featuring Avant, who I am not familiar with but this is another great track, and the lead single. The final vocal offering "Don't You Know Me By Now" is the only track that has me reaching for the skip button.



And so to a clutch of fantastic instrumental tracks. The piano playing on "It's Time" is so powerful you half expect the instrument to bounce through your speakers! "Waiting For you" explores familiar smooth jazz territory, along with "That's Life" featuring Earl Klugh and "I Wanna Love You" featuring Ray Parker Jr, then there is the "Forever" which starts off with a solo piano section. The album finishes with the semi instrumental new ageish "I Don't Know."



I cannot recommend this album enough. It is quite simply awesome.

"