Fusebox

Composers: Michael Paulo; Vassal Benford.
Personnel: Michael Paulo (vocals, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, drum programming); Ronald Spearman, Angela Dauphiney (vocals, background vocals); Los Angeles Mass Choir, Los Angeles (vocals); Daddy-O (rap vocals); Larry Carlton (guitar, electric guitar, nylon-string guitar); Eric Gale , Jackson Jr., Paul Jackson, Jr. , Slim Whitman, Ray Fuller, Howard "Buzz" Feiten (guitar); Dave McNair (recorder); Chris Botti, Michael "Patches" Stewart, Ray Brown (trumpet); Nick Lane (trombone); Robert Kraft (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, keyboard bass, cymbals, programming, drum programming); Russell Ferrante (piano); Vassal Benford (keyboards, synthesizer, keyboard bass, programming, drum programming); Fred Washington , "Ready" Freddie Washington (synthesizer); Sekou Bunch (fretless bass); Ricky Lawson, Carlos Vega (drums); Chere Carlyon (percussion); Dan Stein (programming, keyboard programming); Bilal Bashir (programming, drum programming, turntables).
Audio Mixers: Daddy-O; Dave McNair; Michael Landy.
Recording information: Five Spot Studios; Hollywood Sound Recorders; Hollywood Sound Studios; Mad Hatter Studios; Sound Castle Studio; Sunset sound Factory.
Photographer: Carol Weinberg.
Unknown Contributor Roles: DMC; Jackson Jr.; Andrew Ballard.
Arrangers: Donald Taylor; Terry Plumeri; Lathan Amor; Michael Paulo; Sheryl Crow.
Michael Paulo spent six years on the road with Al Jarreau honing his funky sax sense, so it's no surprise that as a solo artist, he represented the finest and most groove-oriented of the instrument's many up-and-comers of early smooth jazz. His MCA debut One Passion was one of the previous year's most lively and inspiring jazz/funk releases, and his growth continued admirably on his GRP debut. With the exception of a somewhat longwinded, trumpet-laced Miles tribute and a superfluous attempt to join the rap generation, the tracks here are all at once romantic, hard hitting, and emotional, showing Paulo's desire to create an original voice with his horn. A gospel reading of Leo Sayer's "When I Need You" shows a great deal of imagination as well, although tune for tune, One Passion packs the greater wallop. ~ Jonathan Widran