XECD 37 | IMPROMP2 | The Definition of
Love (CD) | £14.95 | Add
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"When you play Impromp2 what's bumpin' in
your trunk? Hip hop, jazz and old school funk."
Impromp2 Slogan
Imagine Miles Davis and Marvin Gaye making
a midnight rendezvous to the hip hop poetry spot just as the vibe
is easing into an after hours flow THAT'S the vibe of Impromp2.
Comprised of singer/trumpeter Johnny B and
rapper/singer Sean E. Mac , Impromp2 represents
equally high levels of musicality and lyrical sensitivity that
will bring out the lover in you. We're talking 'love' from the
source definition--often spoken yet never as clearly understood as
it's about to be. Following a hiatus, the duo is back with their
third and finest album, The Definition of Love (Expansion
Records), a 14-song smorgasbord rich in emotive lyricism and aural
vibration that is destined to bring Impromp2 a level of success
long overdue.
The essence of The Definition of Love
can be found in the track 'Bring It Back,' a beautiful
message featuring special guest Boney James on saxophone that
poses the question, 'Whatever happened to romance?' In the hearts
and minds of Johnny and Sean, the concept never left. This
song carries the thread that runs through all of Impromp2's work
the real meaning of love. Johnny states emphatically, 'We feel
this is the best of Impromp2 - musically, spiritually and all
points between.'
The first single from The Definition
of Love is 'Mocha Soul,' which finds them collaborating with
poet/actress Kim Fields , who has also directed
their first music video. Over a gently bumpin' sample from `70s
jazz keyboard wizard Lonnie Liston Smith, the gentlemen let an
alluring poetess know they've got to 'have a taste of her love'
with the smoothest of finesse. Impromp2 composed the song in
Philly with Darren Henson and Keith
Pelzer (Jill Scott). At first, Johnny and Sean had
another neo soul diva in mind to be the female counterpart.
However manager Qadree el-Amin (the CEO of their
American label Big3 Records) convinced them they should choose
someone who could promote the song and tour with them instead of
just doing the record. Kim Fields was the answer, fitting their
mold like a velvet glove. 'Kim was the ultimate professional,'
Johnny shares. 'Not only did she come up with such a beautiful
lyric, she directed the video some of which was shot in Haiti.' A
performance by the threesome on Soul Train has already
whet the appetites of fans old and new for The Definition of
Love .
Impromp2's third album is overflowing with
spicy feel-good music for the soul. Johnny and Sean had a hand in
writing all but one of the 12 songs, working primarily with their
producer of choice, Steve Harvey. Among the
highlights is 'All The Woman,' Sean wound up writing his part on
the day they recorded it, spontaneously inspired by reflections of
his relationship with his wife. 'Fellas take heed / One woman is
all the woman you need / You call yourself a playa / That ain't
nothin' but greed / Respect the woman that gave birth to your seed
/ I'm trying to shed some light so recognize / All the woman you
need may be right there by your side.'
Two other standouts
from The Definition of Love reflect Impromp2's spiritual
side while staying deliciously true to their smooth signature
style. First is the title track, 'The Definition of Love.' The
chorus reads, 'Love is something that you do / We can say I love
you `til our faces turn blue / But there are so very few / Who
know how to love someone like they're supposed to.' The other
related composition is 'Without You,' Impromp2's first overtly
contemporary gospel song. 'That song gets the most
passionate reaction when we perform it live,' Johnny states. 'From
here on out, we would like to include one song on every album that
gives thanks to the Lord.'
Also of interest is
"I'll Do Whatever," a song that has long been a concert
favorite of fans over the years. For The Definition of Love,
Johnny and Sean have revamped the chord progression and added
a new bridge, vastly improving upon the sexy come-on crowd
pleaser.
Impromp2's working concept has always been only
the best will do. Among the incredible array of musical talent
assembled for the album are guitarists Wah Wah Watson, Ray
Parker Jr., Al McKay, Dean Parks and Jimmy Macon
, keyboardist Clarence McDonald ,
bassists Sekou Bunch and 'Ready' Freddie
Washington , and drummer James Gadson .
Jazz legend George Duke is featured on 'Is It
Cool.' Renowned string arranger Benjamin Wright
(Earth, Wind & Fire) scored several of the songs with
a live string orchestra.
Impromp2 was formed
in 1993 when Johnny Britt, originally a solo artist, decided he
wanted to meld his smoky jazz trumpet and romantic soul singing
with a like minded rapper. Johnny was inspired to explore this
direction in music upon hearing Miles Davis' final/posthumous
studio project, Doo-Bop (1992), a collaboration with
street producer Easy Mo Bee that provided a looking glass into the
possibilities of marrying jazz, soul and hip hop in funky fresh
ways that could appeal to mature audiences.
Cleveland
native Johnny 'Johnny B' Britt grew up singing in
the church choir and playing trumpet in high school bands. He
traveled overseas to Paris, France, to attend its prestigious
Conservatory of Music in Versailles, studying trumpet and
composition for three years. His musical influences stretched from
the obvious Miles and Marvin to Maurice Ravel, Archie Shepp and
the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Upon his return to America, he was
personally hired by Otis Williams of the Temptations to be the
Motown super group's Musical Director, a gig that lasted three
years and included Johnny landing writing credits on two of their
albums; Emperors of Soul (a box set) and Milestones .
His side credits range from appearing in the video for rocker
David Bowie's 'Black Tie White Noise' (syncing parts originally
played by the late, great Lester Bowiea friend) to singing
background on Luther Vandross' Songs album. Wanting to do
his own thing, he came up with the idea for Impromp2 then
auditioned nearly 50 guys before finding the perfect partner in
Sean Thomas.
Sean 'Sean E. Mac' Thomas is
a Los Angeles native whose interest in rap stems from the
expression's fabled 'back in the day' with acts such as The
Treacherous Three and Rakim. However, Sean was most deeply
inspired by multi-faceted musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Prince
and Michael Jackson. A smooth touch was brought to Sean's love of
hip hop by the poetic lyrics of Michael Franks, all of which
blended to mold Sean into one very uniquely laidback linguist. He
and his brother started the group Rappinstine, among the first
acts on L.A.'s legendary Ruthless Records label (the company that
launched, among many, another of Sean's most influential artists,
producer Dr. Dre). Sean pursued another interest, standup
comedy, before he answered the call of Johnny and began the
Impromp2 story.
Impromp2 was among the first acts signed
to Motown Records' short-lived subsidiary MoJazz Records. They
released their first album, You're Gonna Love It , in
1995, capturing the urban radio world's attention with their
unique group make-up and musicality. The album was produced by
Scotland's Steve Harvey, a master of smooth groove who would prove
to be a key element in the polishing of the Impromp2 sound. Their
early radio/video hits included 'Enjoy Yourself,' 'Get Me Off' and
'Summer Nights,' the latter for which they even recorded an
instrumental version that was embraced at NAC, Quiet Storm and
smooth jazz radio formats, significantly broadening their
audience.
For Impromp2's sophomore album, Can't Get
Enough (1997), Motown's new executive regime elected to tweak
their sound by having them collaborate with a younger set of
producers that included Eddie F, Big Bub, and Harvey Mason Jr.
Unfortunately, just after the album was released, the MoJazz
division was closed. Impromp2 soldiered on, though, performing
before former President Bill Clinton at the White House and
participating in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. And while
their own songs were still receiving airplay (including the
previously mentioned 'I'll Do Whatever'), their writing was also
represented with saxophonist Boney James' crossover smash 'I'll
Always Love You' (which featured the vocal group Shai singing
their lyrics).
Just as Johnny was about to hit the road
playing with Maxwell, he bumped into entertainment mogul Qadree
el-Amin, who he knew from his days of managing former Motown
superstars Boyz II Men. Qadree remembered Impromp2 because
not only did he like their music, his wife, Suzanne, was a fan of
their work. He snapped up Impromp2 under his personal management
wing. When he presented the demos to the record company, they were
personally signed in America to Big3 by label founder and chairman
Bill Edwards. Big3 is established in the industry with acts such
as veteran rockers Cheap Trick and multi-cultural boy band Prymary
Colorz. With their superb third offering The Definition of
Love , Impromp2 will be the label's first urban-based
signing.
In the UK, the Big 3 import has so far remained
at the No.1 position of the Echoes and Solar Radio 'Sweet Rhythms'
Chart for a consecutive four weeks but the UK version on
Expansion boasts two exclusive additional tracks including the
massive modern soul floor-filler 'Give It Up'.
Sean and
Johnny broke their new 5-piece band in with a performance at the
2002 Impact Convention in Florida and have since been sharing
their flavor everywhere from Brandy's baby shower and Magic
Johnson's Mardi Gras to the Essence Music Festival! After warming
things up in Puerto Rico, Bahamas and St. Lucia, they will start
their summer tour in earnest to promote The Definition of Love
to the masses in the U.S., the U.Kand beyond.
From
the bleaker realities of the love thang on 'Drama' to the sweetest
of possibilities in 'Making Love' to their socio-political answer
to 'What's Going On' titled 'When Will Things Change,' Impromp2
knows the ins and outs of righteous living and romance like no
other. Now, Impromp2 is ready to share the wealth of their
knowledge and experiences via the most backbeat buttah slow jams
to ever slide inside your earhole, melt your heart and soothe your
soul.
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