Music review: Brian Culbertson – 鈥楢nother Long Night Out鈥�
Brian Culbertson released his debut album back in 1994. At the time, the 21-year-old college student recorded 鈥淟ong Night Out鈥� in his small apartment with the help of his roommate, a Macintosh computer and new music software.
Twenty years later, the contemporary jazz composer, arranger, keyboardist and trombonist re-records the songs from the original release with a little assistance from an all-star cast. The new album is called 鈥淎nother Long Night Out.鈥�
Some of the stellar musicians joining Culbertson in the studio include Lee Ritenour, Chuck Loeb, Michael 鈥淧atches鈥� Stewart, Russ Freeman, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Jimmy Haslip, Rick Braun, Eric Marienthal, Larry Dunn, Steve Lukather, Ricky Lawson and David Benoit.
The title of the new release is a reference to the lengthy nights spent completing the original release during a hectic three-month recording period. 鈥淐ity Lights鈥� opens the album with the aid of Ritenour on lead guitar and Ray Parker Jr. laying down some smooth licks on rhythm guitar.
Written about the breathtaking view from Culbertson鈥檚 college apartment looking toward the John Hancock Center and Sears Tower in Chicago, the engaging arrangement genuinely captures the soothing vibe of a sophisticated city offering endless possibilities.
鈥淔ullerton Ave.鈥� delivers up some spirited funk through Loeb鈥檚 passionate guitar work, while the majestically sweeping 鈥淏eautiful Liar鈥� is powered by Lukather on guitar. Fueled by Culbertson鈥檚 piano playing, Butler鈥檚 soothing nylon-string guitar and Benoit鈥檚 heavenly string arrangement, 鈥淐hanging Tides鈥� closes the album in an enduringly tranquil fashion. Influenced by artists like David Sanborn, Bob James, Spyro Gyra, Tower of Power and Earth, Wind & Fire, Culbertson has garnered 26 No. 1 hits as an artist, producer and songwriter during his well-respected career.
After 20 years, 鈥淎nother Long Night Out鈥� is still well worth experiencing over and over again.