(Smooth Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / R&B) Pieces of a Dream :: Discography (1981-2015) 20CD+1LP-MS [MP3.192/320kbps.CBR]

Personnel
Barbara Walker, Cedric A. Napoleon (vocals); William Schilling, Richard Lee Steacker (guitar); Grover Washington, Jr. (soprano saxophone); James K. Lloyd (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer); Dexter Wansel (synthesizer); Curtis Harmon (drums); Ralph MacDonald (congas, percussion); Rachelle Barnes, Bonita Taylor, Tamara Scott (background vocals).
Info
Recording information: Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA.
Audio Mixers: Grover Washington, Jr.; Peter Humphreys.
Photographer: Jim Shea.
Arrangers: Rachelle Barnes; Barbara Walker.
Review
Pieces Of A Dream still sound wonderful after all these years -- definitely still at the top of the soulful fusion genre they virtually helped create a few decades back -- working with a bit more bite than most of the younger artists who've gone ahead and stolen their vibe. The core groove here still comes from drummer Curtis Harmon and keyboardist James Lloyd -- layered nicely with additional sax, guitar, and a bit more keyboards from a range of other players -- but always kept nice and lean, and never sanded too smooth to push these guys into the sleepier side of the spectrum. There's still a very classic feel to the Pieces Of A Dream groove here -- and even when tunes are mellow, there's a nice bit of a kick. Titles include "Hindsight", "Soul Intent", "Vision Accomplished", "Sway On", "D Fuse The Situation", "Stand Up", "Anywhere You Are", and "Step On It". © 1996-2009, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

Personnel
Producer – Grover Washington, Jr.
Written-By – Napoleon, Harmon, Lloyd
From the album "We are One"

Personnel
Barbara Walker (vocals, background vocals); Rachelle Barnes, Cedric A. Napoleon (vocals); Herb Smith (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Grover Washington, Jr. (soprano saxophone); James K. Lloyd (piano, grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer); Dexter Wansel (synthesizer); Danny Harmon (vibraphone); Curtis Harmon (drums); Leonard "Doc" Gibbs, Dr. Gibbs, Vincent Diggs, Ralph MacDonald (percussion); Cynthia Biggs, Theodore Wortham, Sr. (background vocals).

Personnel
Cedric A. Napoleon (vocals); Roy Smith, Richard Lee Steacker (guitar); Grover Washington, Jr. (saxophone); James K. Lloyd (grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Curtis Harmon (drums); Leonard "Doc" Gibbs (congas, percussion); Marilyn Ashford, Charles Jones (background vocals).
Info
Audio Mixers: Grover Washington, Jr.; Peter Humphreys.
Recording information: Sigma Sound Studios; Starship One, Philadelphia, PA.
Photographer: David Kennedy.
Arrangers: Grover Washington, Jr.; Pieces of a Dream.
Review
Pieces of a Dream's third album for Elektra, Imagine This features more of the softly funky jazz and R&B mix that helped to define the smooth jazz genre. Produced by saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr., the album largely centers around keyboardist James K. Lloyd's Jupiter 8 synthesizer chops. In that sense, it retains a level of period '80s kitsch with Lloyd tapping into the burgeoning rap music sound with synthesizer-generated record "scratching" and syncopated drum beats. To these ends, "For the Fun of It" is a Furious Five-ready single minus the rapping while "It's Getting Hot in Here" sounds like "Freedom Jazz Dance" played on a Casio keyboard. Other tracks including the "quiet storm" ballads "It's Time for Love" and danceable "Fo-Fi Fo" feature stellar vocals from bassist Cedric A. Napoleon. ~ Matt Collar

Pieces of a Dream
James Lloyd (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion, programming); Cedric Napoleon (vocals, bass, percussion); Curtis Harmon (vocals, drums).
Additional Personnel
Gary Glenn (vocals); Bernard Wright (keyboards, percussion); Henry Horne (keyboards); Randy Bowland, Donald Griffin, Marlon McLain (guitar); Lenny White (percussion, programming); Chude Mondlane (percussion, background vocals); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Jason Miles, Jamie Lawrence, Rhett Lawrence, Ken Rarick (programming); Sybil Thomas, Dennis Collins (background vocals).
Info
Recorded in 1985 and 1986. Originally released on Manhattan (53023).
All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel
Synthesizer – Vincent Davis (4)
Vocals – Lance Webb
Drums – Curtis Harmon
Guitar – Randall Bowland*
Keyboards – James K. Lloyd
Producer – Lenny White

Personnel
James K. Lloyd (vocals, piano, keyboards, programming, keyboard programming, background vocals); Scott Cannady (vocals, bass guitar, background vocals); Curtis Harmon (vocals, drums, percussion, programming, drum programming, background vocals); Norwood (vocals, background vocals); Lance Webb (vocals); Randy Bowland (guitar, bass synthesizer, background vocals); Louis Taylor, Jr. (saxophone); Jim Salamone (piano, drum programming); Curtis Dowd, Jr. (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Preston Middleton (keyboards, drums); Etienne Stadwijk (keyboards); Michael Antonio Thornton (synthesizer); Nayan (drum programming); Dinky Bingham, Michelle Kornegay, Donald Sanders, Phaedra Butler, Margo Thunder (background vocals).
Info
Audio Mixers: Dave Way; Gene Griffin; Preston Middleton; Glenn Barratt; Randy Bowland.
Arranger: Preston Middleton.
Review
The Philly based progressive jazz trio Pieces of a Dream featured only two instrumental tracks on this CD, "For You" and "Kicking." The former is a relaxing composition and the latter is an upbeat number with a little vocal undertone. The two featured releases were the dance number "'Bout Dat Time" and the bouncy "What Can I Do." Norwood's husky baritone could do no wrong, especially on the latter track where Lloyd gives an improvisational keyboard solo. Both singles charted, peaking at 32 and 17 respectively on the Billboard R&B charts. Another praise-worthy track is the unreleased "Lonely Hearts of Love." Set in a traditional arrangement and complemented by a solid production, the single is serene, yet rhythmic. Norwood gently approaches the lyric through the verses, interjecting the depth of his vocals throughout the vamp, ending the song with an impressive bass riff. ~ Craig Lytle

Pieces of a Dream
Scottie Mann (vocals); Ron Kerber (saxophone); James Lloyd, Frederico Pena, Cliff Starky (keyboards); Curtis Harmon (keyboards, synth bass, drums, percussion, programming, background vocals).
Additional Personnel
James Lloyd (vocals, various instruments); Lee Pittman (vocals); Bob Baldwin (various instruments); Marion Meadows (soprano saxophone); Onaje Allen Gumbs (piano); Michael Antonio (keyboards, programming); Tara Lloyd (keyboards); Rich Crawford (guitars, programming); Herb Smith (guitar); Jeff Le (five-string bass); Glen Barratt (drum programming); Rick Gallwey (congas, percussion).
Info
Producers: James Lloyd, Ron Kerber, Curtis Harmon, Michael Antonio, Bob Baldwin.
Review
Pieces of a Dream can always be counted on to offer lightweight jazz-influenced R&B that is pleasing as long as one does not listen too closely or have overly high expectations. This set has several forgettable vocals, some sax solos by Ron Kerber and Marian Meadows that attempt to sound like Grover Washington, Jr., and consistently danceable rhythms.~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Pieces of a Dream
Eva Cassidy (vocals); Ron Kerber (saxophone, keyboards, percussion); Mike Antonio (keyboards); James Lloyd (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Curtis Harmon (synthesizer, drums, percussion, programming); Charles Baldwin (bass).
Additional Personnel
Vincent Calloway (trombone, background vocals); Curtis Dowd Jr. (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Glenn Barratt, Joel Davis, Steve Ford (keyboards, programming); Clifford Starkey, William Brock, Wesley Boatman, Steve Beckham, Stephen Scott (keyboards); Rich Crawford (guitar, percussion, programming); Gene Robinson (guitar); Rob Cochran, Jeff Lee Johnson, Charles Fambrough (bass); Bennie Simms (fretless bass); Leon Jordan, Angelo Ray (drums); Keith Robertson (programming); Clarlene Holloway, Annette Hardeman, Reggie Calloway, Yvette Miles (background vocals).
Info
Producers: Ron Kerber, Curtis Harmon, Bennie Simms, Clifford Starkey, James Lloyd.
Engineers: Glen Barratt, Scott McMinn, Rich Crawford.
Recorded at Morning Star Studios, Springhouse, Pennsylvania; RTG Studios, Ligosa Studios and Crystal Clear Studios, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Review
This is one of Pieces of a Dream's better efforts. Saxophonist Ron Kerber looks toward Grover Washington, Jr., (on soprano) and David Sanborn (during his alto spots) for inspiration and the keyboardists recall Ramsey Lewis but, even with the inclusion of a few throwaway rhythm tracks and some Eva Cassidy pop vocals, some of these selections do contain strong improvising within the R&B genre. Nothing too innovative occurs but the results are mostly quite listenable and always danceable. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel
"Jessy" Yvette Myles (vocals, rap vocals); Cedric A. Napoleon (vocals, bass); Lance Webb, Barbara Walker (vocals); Grover Washington, Jr. (soprano saxophone, saxophone); Ron Kerber (alto & tenor saxophones, flute); James K. Lloyd (piano, Fender Rhodes, organ, keyboards, synthesizer, synth bass, programming); Steven Ford (piano, Fender Rhodes, keyboards, strings, synthesizer); Preston Glass (keyboards, drum programming); Bernard Wright (keyboards); Glenn Barratt (synthesizer, drum programming, programming); Dexter Wansel (synthesizer); Jeff Lee, Darryl Johnson, Richard Lee Steacker, Roy R. Smith, Randal Bowland (guitar); Curtis Harmon (drums, percussion, programming, background vocals); Charles Baldwin (drums, percussion, background vocals); Leonard "Dr." Gibbs, Ralph Macdonald (congas, percussion); Richard Crawford (drum programming, synthesizer programming, programming).
Info
Producers: James K. Lloyd, Glenn Barratt, Rich Crawford, Steven Ford, Grover Washington, Jr.
Engineers: Glenn Barratt, Peter Humphreys, Jeff Lorenzen.
Arrangers: Chude Mondlane; Glenn Barratt; Cliff Dawson; Grover Washington, Jr.; Rich Crawford; Lenny White; Pieces of a Dream; Preston Glass; Steven Ford; Bernard Wright; Cedric A. Napoleon.
Recording information: House of Music, New York, NY (1982-1989); Morning Star Studios, Springhouse, PA (1982-1989); One On One Studio, North Hollywood, CA (1982-1989); Sigma Sound Studios (1982-1989); Starship One, Philadelphia, PA (1982-1989).
Review
The Best of Pieces of a Dream is an excellent 14-track collection that contains highlights from the fusion group's '80s recordings for Manhattan Records. Among the selections are "Keep It Smooth," "Baby It's Your Turn Now," "Cool Side," "Mt. Airy Groove," "Rising to the Top," "Warm Weather," and "Shadow of Your Smile." It's both a good introduction to the group's sound and an excellent summation of their peak years. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Pieces of a Dream
Eddie Baccus, Jr. (saxophone); James Lloyd (piano); Michael Antonio Thornton (keyboards); Cedric Napoleon (bass); Curtis Harmon (drums).
Additional Personnel
George Duke, Everette Harp, Paul Jackson, Jr., Hubert Laws, Jeff Lorber, Maxi Priest, Greg Phillinganes, Grover Washington, Jr.
Personnel
Maxi Priest, Mike Davis (vocals, background vocals); Michael Herring , Paul Jackson, Jr. , Rohn Lawrence, Kevin Chokan (guitar); Everette Harp (acoustic guitar, saxophone, keyboards, synthesizer); Grover Washington, Jr., Eddie Baccus, Jr. (saxophone); James K. Lloyd (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, programming, drum programming); Curtis Harmon (keyboards, drums, drum programming); Michael Antonio Thornton (keyboards, drum programming); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards); George Duke (synthesizer); Bill Pierce (bass synthesizer); Paula Holloway, Annette Hardeman, Cedric A. Napoleon (background vocals).
Info
Recording information: Chapel Studios, Encino, CA (03/19/1997-06/03/1997); JHL SOund, Pacific Palisades, CA (03/19/1997-06/03/1997); Le Gonks West, Los Angeles, CA (03/19/1997-06/03/1997); Manhattan Beach Studio, New York, NY (03/19/1997-06/03/1997); Rue Harp Sounds, Saugus, CA (03/19/1997-06/03/1997); The Studio, Philadelphia, PA (03/19/1997-06/03/1997); Westlake Studio, Los Angeles, CA (03/19/1997-06/03/1997).
Audio Mixers: Dan Lawrence; Ron Shaffer; Erik Zobler; Alan Myerson; Jon Smeltz; Elliott Peters.Photographer: Michael Wong .
Arrangers: Everette Harp; Michael Antonio Thornton; James K. Lloyd ; Eddie Baccus, Jr.
Unknown Contributor Role: Shaun LaBelle.

Personnel
James K. Lloyd (vocals, various instruments, piano, keyboards, programming); Curtis Harmon (vocals, keyboards, drums, cymbals, percussion, programming); Calvin Richardson, Maysa Leak (vocals); Eddie Baccus Jr. (soprano saxophone, programming); Larry Gold (cello); Cherie Mitchell (Fender Rhodes piano); Michael "Antonio" Thornton (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Bennie Simms (keyboards, programming); Ronny Jordon (acoustic & electric guitars, bass); Randy Bowland (acoustic nylon-string & electric guitars); Bill Pierce, Cedric Napoleon (bass); Dr. Leonard Gibbs, Pablo Batista Jr. (percussion); Charles Baldwin (progamming); Barbara Walker (background vocals).
Info
Producers include: Pieces Of A Dream, Cedric Napoleon, James Lloyd, Bennie Simms, Curtis D. Harmon.
Engineers include: Storm, Jon Smeltz, Bennie Simms.
Recorded at The Studio and Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Unique Recording Studio, New York, New York.
Review
Making sweet music together almost constantly since meeting at a Philadelphia junior high school in the mid-'70s, the principals in Pieces (keyboardist James K. Lloyd, bassist Cedric Napoleon, and drummer Curtis Harmon) were way ahead of their time. From the get-go, they mixed jazz and R&B long before there was a format for that, and their commercial success has not found them deviating from that original vision. Their most enduring radio hit is the instrumental piano ballad "For You," and that sort of elegance runs through the tunes here, even the most rousing tracks like the skittery, jazzy "Driving It Home" featuring Lloyd's amazing grace. Still, the collection could use a little more of that sort of chunky, bass-driven groove interspersed with all the midtempo lushness. Melodically, though, Pieces never misses, from the soprano sax driven opener "Took So Long" (horn played by occasional group member Eddie Baccus, Jr.) through the stunningly romantic (and also soprano based) "Love You for Life." Indicating that the album's title means they have returned to a sound reminiscent of their early-'80s work, and the retro vocal track "You and I," seems to fit that concept. Maysa Leak takes the floating lead vocal (anyone remember when they called these tunes quiet storm-like?) and Cherie Mitchell chimes in with a wonderfully bubbly Rhodes solo. The melancholy "Cry of the Lonely" is Lloyd's equivalent here to "For You," a true showcase for one of the genre's finest melodic keyboard whizzes. ~ Jonathan Widran, AMG

Pieces of a Dream
James Lloyd (piano, keyboards, programming); Curtis Harmon (drums, triangle).
Additional Personnel
Maysa Leak, Ramona Dunlap (vocals); Eddie Baccus Jr. (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones); Gerald Albright (alto & tenor saxophones, EWI, keyboards, programming); Kenny Blake (alto & tenor saxophones); Henri McMillan (trumpet); Cherie Mitchell (keyboards); Randy Bowland (acoustic & electric guitars); Ronny Jordan (guitar); David Dyson (bass); Bryan Brock (congas, percussion).
Info
Producers: James Lloyd, Dave Love, Martin Walters, Gerald Albright, Randy Bowland.
Recorded at The Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.
This is an Enhanced audio CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Review
Pieces of a Dream celebrates their 25th anniversary with this debut for Heads Up International, Acquainted With the Night. The Philadelphia-based band offers 12 new tracks written by co-founders James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon along with several other songwriters, including saxophonist Gerald Albright and Michael Bearden. The British acid jazz guitarist Ronny Jordan, vocalist Maysa Leak, and saxophonist Kenny Blake round out the list of stellar guest stars. Opening with "Ru Ready," the group launches into a series of musical portraits that seem to suggest a little philosophical parable heaped from their 25 years of experience. "Night Vision" captures the theme of the CD, with its riffs that suggest the ambience of twinkling stars in a night sky. These phrases are effectively portrayed through Lloyd's piano sensibilities and light flourishes. For those that remain unable to liberate themselves from the quiet beauty of smooth jazz, this CD creates a musical experience that not only chronicles the expertise of Pieces of a Dream, but affords their listeners a prominent escape from the ordinary "quiet storm" incubators that pervade the airwaves. This is by far their best release since Joyride and a huge jump in musical credibility due to their extensive inclusion of notable songwriters and guest artists that manage to sharpen the artistic visions on this project. ~ Paula Edelstein

Pieces of a Dream
James K. Lloyd (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Curtis Harmon (vocals, drums, drum programming); Eddie Bacchus (soprano saxophone, saxophone); Ron Kerber (alto & tenor saxophones, flute); Cedric Napoleon (bass, background vocals).
Additional Personnel
Eva Cassidy, Maysa, Maxi Priest (vocals); Grover Washington, Jr. (saxophone); Vincent Calloway (trombone); Steve Ford (piano, synthesizer); Joel Davis (keyboards, programming); Michael (Antonio) Thornton, Cliff Starky (keyboards); Michael Herring (acoustic & electric guitars); Ronny Jordan (acoustic guitar); Randy Bowland, Gene Robinson (guitar); Bernie Sims, Rich Crawford (drums, drum programming); Glenn Barratt (programming).
Info
Producers: Pieces Of A Dream, Rich Crawford, Ron Kerber, Michael (Antonio) Thornton, Steve Ford, Glenn Barrat.
Compilation producer: Eli Wolf.
Review
The Soul Ballads collects 12 smooth jazz tracks from Pieces of a Dream's mid-'80s recordings for Blue Note Records. Among the selections are "The Cool Side," "You and I," "Goodbye Manhattan," "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?," and a cover version of Paul McCartney's "My Love." It's both a good introduction to Pieces of a Dream's laid-back sound and an excellent summation of the group's peak years. ~ Al Campbell

Pieces of a Dream
James Lloyd (vocals, keyboards, programming); Tracy Hamlin (vocals); Eddie Baccus, Jr. (saxophone); Todd Parsnow (guitar); Curtis Harmon (drums).
Additional Personnel
Gerald Veasly (bass); Jorge Ginorio (percussion).
Info
Producers: James Lloyd, Martin Walters, Steve Browne.
Recorded at Big Time Audio, Dallas, Texas.
Digitally remastered using HDCD technology.
This is a multi-channel Super Audio CD playable only on Super Audio CD players.
Review
Love's Silhouette contains 14 tracks that swing and sing in the easy-flowing and genre-crossing style that has made Pieces of a Dream a staple in contemporary jazz. The group, who celebrated 25 years in the music business in 2001, continues to push stylistic boundaries and add more hard grooves, a few Latin flavors, and more funk than on their previous chart-topping hit, Acquainted With the Night. This sonic diversity is mostly heard on the urbane, mid-tempo "Turning It Up" and "Mission Possible," while the reverent, bluesy, gospel-tinged "Remembrance (9/11/01)" is a plaintive, poetic elegy to that tragic day. The addition of saxophonist Eddie Baccus Jr. on several tracks was a good move and his sound helps the listener's interests to grow at a much faster pace than it took for these compositions to come to light. The title track was written several years ago but only made the cut after highly prolific composer/keyboardist James Lloyd played it for his family, who urged him to redo it. The beautiful song emerged from its own uncomplicated, loving silhouette, so to speak. Other major highlights include "I Feel Like Singin'" and the reharmonized update of "My Funny Valentine," which features the dynamic vocals of Tracy Hamlin and the bass genius of labelmate Gerald Veasley. The latter song closes the set and leaves the listener bathed in a glow of exotic retrospection and with a premonition of discovering something even more wonderful on subsequent listens. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide

Pieces of a Dream
Tracy Hamlin (vocals); James Lloyd (various instruments); Eddie Baccus, Jr. (saxophone); Curtis Harmon (keyboards, drums, programming); Bennie Sims (keyboards); Todd Parsnow (guitar); David Dyson (bass).
Info
Producers: James Lloyd, Martin Walters, Curtis Harmon, Bennie Sims.
Recorded at From Above Music, Youngstown, Ohio; Big Time Audio, Dallas, Texas and Boom Camp Studios, Reading, Pennsylvania.
Digitally remastered using HDCD technology.
This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.
Review
Run down the roster of some of the greatest jazz and pop music collectives of the late 20th century – the Beatles, Earth, Wind and Fire, Weather Report, just to name a few – and the old adage rings true: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In a career that spans nearly thirty years, Pieces of a Dream has remained true to that lesson, maximizing the talents and ideas that each individual member has brought to the mix over the years and distilling them into a compelling and satisfying whole. Their latest effort, No Assembly Required, merges the seasoned songwriting skills of charter and founding members James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon with the talents of some newer members of the roster. The resulting whole is indeed greater than the sum of the individual parts. Heads Up International released No Assembly Required (HUCD 3080) with a simultaneous worldwide release in 5.1 surround sound (HUSA 9080).

Pieces of a Dream
James Lloyd (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ, keyboards, programming); Curtis Harmon (keyboards, drums, percussion, programming); Cedric Napoleon (bass).
Additional Personnel
Calvin Richardson (vocals); Marion Meadows (soprano saxophone); Ron Kerber (alto saxophone); Hubert Laws (flute); Greg Phillinganes (keyboards); Paul Jackson, Jr, Ronny Jordan (guitar); Charles Fambrough (bass).
Info
Producers: Michael Thornton, Curtis Harmon, Bennie Sims, Ron Kerber, Greg Phillinganes.
Compilation producer: Eli Wolf.
Review
This is part of Blue Note Records "Soulful Embrace" series.

Pieces of a Dream
Ramona Dunlap (vocals); James Lloyd (piano, keyboards, programming); David Dyson (bass guitar); Curtis Harmon, Eddie Baccus, Jr.
Personnel
Todd Parsnow (guitar, acoustic guitar); David Cullen (guitar); Greg Riley, Eddie Baccus, Jr. (saxophone); Curtis Harmon (keyboards, drums, percussion, programming, background vocals); Martin Walters (programming); Cherie Mitchell (background vocals).
Additional Personnel
Cherie Mitchell, Scott Mann (vocals); Tony Watson Jr. (saxophone); Bernie Sims (keyboards); David Cullen, Todd Parsnow
Info
Recording information: Big Time Audio, Dallas, TX; Boom Camp Studios, Reading, PA; From Above Music, Youngstown, OH.
Audio Mixer: Martin Walters.
Photographer: John Secoges.
Review
There are but a few contemporary jazz ensembles that can boast of having more than 20 solid years of hits in their discographies. However, Pieces of a Dream, celebrating 30 years of funky jazz with Pillow Talk, have done just that. The powerhouse contemporary jazz combo — which can always be depended upon to provide all the right party grooves and the sublime essence of smooth jazz — reinvents itself on 12 songs that feature sexy riffs, infectious grooves, and the compelling vocals of Ramona Dunlap. Led by acclaimed funkmeisters keyboardist James Lloyd and drummer Curtis Harmon, "House Arrest," an instrumental song with a house-style beat, opens the set. The danceability of "House Arrest" is what makes this song so happening. On "Triflin'," "Those Three Words," and "Your Love," vocalist Ramona Dunlap examines the visual rhymes that weave their way through the group's collaborations. On "Triflin'," a song she co-wrote with Lloyd and Cherie Mitchell, her style is somewhat reminiscent of Lalah Hathaway and Jill Scott, but the synchronicity is all her own. Her scats and raps are right in line with the background vocals of Cherie Mitchell. "Sincere" features the exemplary sax work of Tony Watson, while "Attitude" sets Lloyd's complex piano lines and Watson's full-bodied sax riffs against a hip-hop backbeat. "Teresa" is a beautiful midtempo ballad dedicated to Lloyd's wife. His gorgeous piano melody is a metaphor of beautiful emotions. The title track closes the set with the flair of melodic jazz-pop. If you go for this style with its sexy edge and catchy hooks, you'll find plenty of new signature riffs and harmonies here. Pieces of a Dream have taken a fresh approach to their sound, and their craft is solidly defined. There is a creative fit that will put you "In That Mood" to make great "Pillow Talk." ~ Paula Edelstein

Personnel
Randy Bowland, Rohn Lawrence (guitar); Tony Watson, Jr., Eddie Baccus, Jr. (saxophone); Curtis Harmon (keyboards, drums, percussion, programming); Martin Walters (programming).
Info
Audio Mixer: Martin Walters.
Audio Remasterer: Paul Blakemore.
Photographer: John Secoges.
Recording information: Boomcamp Studios, Reading, PA; Semaj Studios, Canfield, OH.
Review
Pieces of a Dream still sound wonderful after all these years -- definitely still at the top of the soulful fusion genre they virtually helped create a few decades back -- working with a bit more bite than most of the younger artists who've gone ahead and stolen their vibe. The core groove here still comes from drummer Curtis Harmon and keyboardist James Lloyd -- layered nicely with additional sax, guitar, and a bit more keyboards from a range of other players -- but always kept nice and lean, and never sanded too smooth to push these guys into the sleepier side of the spectrum. There's still a very classic feel to the Pieces Of A Dream groove here -- and even when tunes are mellow, there's a nice bit of a kick. Titles include "Hindsight", "Soul Intent", "Vision Accomplished", "Sway On", "D Fuse The Situation", "Stand Up", "Anywhere You Are", and "Step On It". © 1996-2009, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

Review
2013 release from the veteran Jazz outfit. Joined by superstar guitarist Rhon Lawrence and up and coming saxophonist Tony Watson Jr., the group has composed 10 brilliant originals that run the gamut from "in the pocket" R&B to the kind of sensuous Smooth Jazz jams that have made them legends. Lead producer and founding member James Lloyd, who has been a go to hit maker and accompanist for such artists as Mary J. Blige, BB King, Wayman Tisdale and others, is at the top of his game here with such highlights as the funky "Steppers 'D' Light" and the romantic ballad "Misty Eyed". Additionally, co-founder Curtis Harmon's composition, the title track "In the Moment", is a joyful celebration of Pieces of a Dream's 20th album and their brilliant career.

Review
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