360 Degrees Of Billy Paul
Paul s first album for Philadelphia International was straight club jazz -- sales were slow. This time, Gamble & Huff gave Paul material strong enough to make his sophomore release a viable commercial entity. "Brown Baby" speaks of people of color making their parents and others proud, and the message is positive and correct. "I'm Just a Prisoner" is real but would have been better served without the string section. It's a stark depiction of a man who has served five years and is contemplating his future. It is about the unsettling fact that he's just a prisoner. Its chilling chorus tells it all -- "The cell is cold as hell/you'll never get use to the smell/my bed is hard as wood/I got to fight to keep my manhood." The riveting saga doesn't just end -- the fade is lengthy and features a dejected Paul woefully mourning about the conditions, the situation, and the turmoil of prison life. He sounds believable and frustrated belting "Me & Mrs. Jones," a classic that many relate to, and those who don't have no problem being down with the passionate singing and clawing lyrics describing the unapologetic infidelity. His "It's Too Late" is a fine rendition of Carole King s classic. You might not recognize "Let's Stay Together," popularized by Al Green Paul does it MOR jazz style, with a lot of improvising before crooning the original lyrics. It shows versatility, but people who bought "Jones" probably didn't appreciate it. A version of Elton John s "Your Song" introduced the Britisher to fans of soul music. Vince Montana s magical vibes punctuate the rhythm, which turns into a lightweight gospel revival. "Am I Black Enough for You" fit in with the times of overt black consciousness, a social message moved along by a perky bongo and clavinet-dominated beat and well-spaced, brassy horn hits. A too staid "I'm Gonna Make It This Time," co-written by Bunny Sigler marked Paul s second adventure in urban, club jazz on 360 Degrees this one has bite, and Paul sings it with fire. The 2002 CD reissue on Epic Legacy adds a live version of "Me and Mrs. Jones" from Paul s 1974 Live in Europe album. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
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Credits »
Billy Paul - Arranger
Billy Paul - Main Performer
Bob Hall - Engineer
Steven Berkowitz - A&R
Micaela Boland - Design
Don Renaldo - Assistant
Kenny Gamble - Original Recording Producer
Norman Harris - Arranger
Leon Huff - Original Recording Producer
Ed Lee - Cover Design
Jay Mark - Engineer
Jay Mark - Remixing
Joe McEwen - Producer
Joe McEwen - Liner Notes
Lenny Pakula - Arranger
Joseph M. Palmaccio - Mastering
Joe Tarsia - Engineer
Joe Tarsia - Mixing
Leo Sacks - Producer
Don Hunstein - Photography
Howard Fritzson - Art Direction
Patti Matheny - A&R
Bobby Martin - Arranger
Bobby Martin - Producer
Kyle Wofford - A&R
Robert Davis - Photography
Robert Davis - Photography
Dan Hunstein - Cover Photo
Dan Renaldo - Assistant
Darren Salmieri - A&R
Lisa Buckler - Project Coordinator
Louise Williams - Liner Notes
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