Awake [Bonus Track]

Personnel: Josh Groban (piano, keyboards, drums, background vocals); Bakithi Kumalo (vocals); Dean Parks, Joel Shearer, Michael Thompson , Ramón Stagnaro, Tim Pierce, Robbie McIntosh (guitar); Fiona Hibbert (harp); J'Anna Jacoby (violin); James Freebarin-Smith (cello); Eric Rigler (Uilleann pipe); Tower of Power Horns (brass); Herbie Hancock (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Marius de Vries (piano, keyboards, programming); Imogen Heap (piano, programming); Eric Mouquet, Glen Ballard (keyboards); Jochem van der Saag (synthesizer, programming); Frank Ricotti (vibraphone, percussion); Matt Chamberlain, Anton Fig, Ian Thomas , Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Kaitlyn Barton (tambourine); Blair Sinta (percussion); Jason Boshoff, Alexis Smith (programming); Paul Schwartz (drum programming); Anna Ross, Vusi Mahlasela, Susie Suh (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Humberto Gatica; Imogen Heap; Andy Bradfield.
Editor: William Malina.
Photographer: Christian Lantry.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Greg Vail; Lee Thornburg; Nathan East; Nick Lane; Tom Scott.
Arrangers: Tawgs Salter; Eric Mouquet; Jeremy Lubbock; Josh Groban; William Ross .
Expectations for vocalist Josh Groban's third release ran high, especially given the phenomenal success of his sophomore effort, CLOSER, which reached number one on the Billboard charts. Like Andrea Bocelli, Groban treads the line between classical, operatic singing, and crossover pop. AWAKE manages the synthesis beautifully. With its strong batch of songs, and Groban's voice continuing to develop, the album may even best its predecessor.
Opener "Mai," sung in Italian, sets the tone for the album. Highly romantic, stirring, and couched in tasteful orchestral arrangements, the song is the perfect canvas for Groban's heart-melting delivery. "February Song," which finds the artist accompanied only by piano, is more reserved and plaintive. Other album highlights include "Machine," with a funky, jazzy backdrop provided by Herbie Hancock, and "Lullaby" and "Weeping," which feature the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mombazo.