1. Theme From "The Men" 
2. Knock On Wood 
3. Never Can Say Goodbye (featuring Will Downing) 
4. Memphis Passion 
5. Respect Yourself (featuring Ledisi) 
6. I Stand Accused 
7. Cheaper To Keep Her 
8. Walkin' Down Beale Street (featuring Kirk Whalum) 
9. What You See Is What You Get (featuring Phillip Bailey) 
10. Who's Makin' Love 
11. W.C. Handy Hop

Gerald Albright: baritone, tenor, alto saxes; flutes (1, 3, 4, 6), bass guitar (4, 6, 8), percussion programming (4, 11); 
Teddy Campbell: drums; 
Lenny Castro: percussion (1-3, 5-10); 
Melvin Davis: bass (1-3, 5, 7, 9, 10); 
Errol Cooney: guitar (1-3, 5, 7, 9, 10); 
Tracy Carter: keyboards (1-3, 5, 7-11); 
Mark Cargill: strings (1, 3, 6, 9); 
Rex Rideout: keyboards (2, 5, 6, 9, 10); 
Will Downing: vocals (3); 
Rick Watford: guitars (4, 8, 11); 
Arlington Jones: keyboards (4); 
Ledisi: vocals (5); 
Darrell Crooks: guitar (6); 
Selina Albright: background vocals (6); 
Kirk Whalum: tenor sax (8); 
Phillip Bailey: vocals (9); 
Mabvuto Carpenter: background vocals (9).

It's all about Memphis with Gerald Albright's Sax for Stax. The veteran saxophonist revisits the sounds of the 1960s and '70s that helped define a label and, to a certain degree, a generation of soul musicians.

A native of Los Angeles, Albright has effortless straddled the line between jazz and R&B, making music that is easily accepted by fans of one genre or the other. His inspirations include such tenor sax legends as John Coltrane and Eddie Harris, as well as alto sax specialist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and the versatile Maceo Parker. For this project, Albright was approached by Peak Records executive Mark Wexler about doing an album that tied in with parent label Concord's re-launching of Stax. Albright plays alto, tenor, and baritone sax on all tracks, but also contributes flutes, percussion programming, and bass guitar on some selections.

No Stax tribute would be complete without Isaac Hayes. Albright delivers a hard-charging cover of Hayes' "Theme from 'The Men,'" a seldom heard instrumental track from an obscure television series. With string arrangements by Mark Cargill, the core ensemble of Teddy Campbell on drums, Lenny Castro on percussion, Melvin Davis on bass, Tracy Carter on keyboards, and Errol Cooney on guitar, Albright captures the spirit of the original theme while making it fresh. A highlight is his Maceo Parker-esque alto solo near the end. Cargill's strings are very effective.

Guest vocalist Ledisi leads on the Staples Singers' "Respect Yourself." Cooney's rhythm guitar brings that early '70s flavor, while Albright's grinding alto adds a little seasoning. Rex Rideout, who produced and arranged several tracks, provides additional keys.

Memphis' Kirk Whalum plays tenor sax on one of three Albright originals, "Walkin' Down Beale Street," an easy-going track that lives up to its name. Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey joins for a moving presentation of the Dramatics' "What You See Is What You Get." Albright's arrangement injects a bit of Latin style on this mostly instrumental track.

Though this is mostly a cover album, it represents some of Albright's finest work. The selection of songs is excellent and the arrangements do justice to the originals without sounding trite. But more importantly, Albright shows his versatility in playing different saxophones, flutes, and bass. Sax for Stax is a fine tribute to the Memphis-based label and its artists. ---Woodrow Wilson, allaboutjazz.com

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1 	Don't Worry About It    (Featuring – Vesta Williams)	4:33
2 	I Surrender    (Featuring – Lalah Hathaway)	5:50
3 	Sweet Baby 	5:11
4 	This Is For The Lover In You 	4:44
5 	G & Lee    (Featuring – Lee Ritenour)	6:31
6 	Just 2 B With You    (Featuring – Will Downing)	5:08
7 	Anniversary 	4:33
8 	Passion 	6:21
9 	Sedona    (Featuring – Stanley Clarke)	5:36
10 	Say It WIth Feeling 	5:36

Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas (tracks: 1), Howard Hewett (tracks: 4)
Bass – Freddie Washington (tracks: 10)
Drum Programming – Chuckii Booker
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Chuckii Booker, Travon Potts (tracks: 8,9)
Saxophone – Gerald Albright

After a feisty live album recorded at Birdland gave this soulful saxman a chance to stretch his straight-ahead chops, the super cool side of Albright came back on this one. Smooth is indeed the operative word here, as this is a tasty if somewhat typical journey through the land of quiet storm and light funk. Albright's sharp, distinctive tone (bearing both melody and unexpected improvisations) heats up a too long series of pleasant but unremarkable melodies and grooves -- the one instrumental exception being the blazing dual energy provided on "g&lee" by the breezy guitar of Lee Ritenour. As background for those seductive night moves, the silky vocals by the likes of Howard Hewett and Will Downing are can't miss. Though Albright himself dazzles, more sax and less commercial slickness would make this a triumph rather than just another fine but generic rhythm and jazz effort. After you've heard his real jazz chops, the lack of a true traditional piece is a notable omission as well. ---Jonathan Widran, AllMusic Review

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01. What Would James Do (5:36)
02. Get On The Floor (4:59)
03. Bobo’s Groove (5:05)
04. Capetown Strut (4:54)
05. Close To You (4:59)
06. I Found The Klugh (5:39)
07. Embrace The Spirit (6:04)
08. The Road To Peace (A Prayer F (5:13)
09. HIghway 70 (4:55)
10. From The Soul (5:41)

Gerald Albright: alto, tenor and baritone saxophones (1-4, 6-10), bass guitar (1-3, 6-8, 10), keyboards (1, 4, 6, 7, 8), drum programming (1),
 synthesizer programming (2, 3), EWI (2-4, 6, 7, 9), soprano saxophone (5, 8), flutes (5), background vocals (5), percussion programming (6, 8); 
Fred Wesley: trombone (1); 
Ricky Watford: guitars (1-3, 5-10), acoustic guitar (4); 
Tracy Carter: keyboards (1-5, 7-10); 
Ricky Lawson: drums (2-10); 
Mark Cargill: string section (2, 5); 
Selina Albright: background vocals (2, 5); 
Earl Klugh: acoustic guitar (6); 
Luther "Mano" Hanes: keyboards (6); 
George Duke: acoustic piano (8).

Whether the economy, the climate or war, the world faces a multitude of crises. During times like these, music can be a valuable healing force. Saxophonist and producer Gerald Albright takes that approach with Pushing the Envelope.

Albright counts saxophonist Maceo Parker and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley among his influences. His career has included work as both a band leader and a sideman. Among his associations are Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Teena Marie and Maurice White. For Pushing the Envelope, Albright plays a variety of instruments, including bass guitar, with a trio of drummer Ricky Lawson, keyboardist Tracy Carter and guitarist Ricky Watford.

Albright's daughter, Selina, brings vocals to a danceable cover of Michael Jackson's "Get on the Floor," from Jackson's mega-hit, Off the Wall (Epic, 1979). A seldom covered song, Albright turns in a pleasing rendition, capturing enough of the original that it's familiar, but adapting it as his own. Mark Cargill plugs in the string section, and with Watford and Lawson doing their thing, Albright scores, both with his saxophone lead and slick bass guitar.

Earl Klugh sits in on "I Found the Klugh," penned by Albright as a tribute to the acoustic guitarist's unique style. The alto leads, at times joined by Klugh, with Luther "Mano" Hanes taking over keyboard duties.

Albright stretches out aplenty on the balladic "Embrace the Spirit." Accompanied only by his core trio, he expresses freely, with a sound that's part Grover Washington, Jr., part Michael Brecker and all soul.

"Highway 70" is a roll-the-windows down and step on it tune. The song serves the dual purpose of recognizing Interstate Highway 70 as it passes through Colorado, and a nod towards Earth, Wind & Fire, one of Albright's all-time favorite bands.

Albright is versatile as both a composer and musician. Easily comfortable playing jazz, blues, R&B or pop, he's earned two Grammy nominations and was among 10 saxophonists chosen to play during President Clinton's inauguration. With Pushing the Envelope, Albright continues to show why he's one of the biggest multi-genre stars. ---Woodrow Wilkins, allaboujazz.com

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