In keeping with our 5th Anniversary theme, I thought it fitting to find an old favorite from 2004.  There were a lot to choose from, but if Gerald Albright is one of the choices, I'm going to pick him.  First, because he is a huge talent that never seems to get nearly enough props in my opinion, and second, I love listening to the man.  So I was delighted to find Albright's Kickin' It Up was a 2004 release.

Albright mans his usual instruments of choice – alto and tenor sax, and bass guitar.  He also wrote or co-wrote seven of the ten tracks, including the three collaborations with Jeff Lorber – the funky "To The Max," "Throw Yo' Hands," and "One on One."

Other Albright originals include the pace-setting opener, "4 On The Floor"; "Walker's Theme," the tribute to Motown sax star Jr. Walker; the sweet and tender "Father's Lullaby"; and the title track, featuring George Duke.

There are very few artists who can excite me by doing covers, but Gerald Albright is a master of interpreting a great song and totally owning it.  This album contains three – the John Mayer tune, "Why Georgia, Why," featuring Peter White; Brian McKnight's "Condition Of My Heart," and the album standout track, "If You Don't Know Me By Now." 

It was great revisiting this CD.  It sounds just as good now as it did in 2004… maybe even better!