Ride

1	Heaven / Trina Broussard 4:04
2	Grand Central 4:57
3	R.P.M. 4:48
4	Something Inside / Dave Hollister 3:53
5	So Beautiful 4:21
6	See What I'm Sayin'? 4:34
7	All About You 4:07
8	Ride / Jaheim 4:33
9	As You Are 4:30
10	This Is the Life 4:59
11	[Untitled Track] 3:56

Barnes & Noble

Boney James has been riding a winning streak lately, one that continues with his latest excursion into smooth-jazz funk. While his previous album, Shake It Up, found the saxophonist hooking up with trumpeter Rick Braun, here James goes for it on his own -- sort of. He’s actually got plenty of support throughout, with decisive contributions from singer Dave Hollister, hip-hopper Jaheim, Roots drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, and bassist Marcus Miller, who was one of Miles Davis’s key associates in the latter part of that icon’s career. What’s always made James’s music special is his mix of contemporary know-how and old-school knowledge (remember his and Braun’s up-to-the-moment take on Hugh Masekela’s 60’s hit “Grazin’ in the Grass” on Shake It Up?). Throughout Ride James gives us tasty hints that he appreciates his vintage funk and knows just the right times to dip into that well. The result is a winner of an album that keeps its feet in the here-and-now while giving props to the best of the past. William Pearl

All Music Guide

The masterful fusion of street funk, sensual R&B, and contemporary jazz that Boney James accomplishes on Ride continues to make him a favorite with listeners around the world. The multi-talented saxophonist, keyboardist, producer, and composer wrote or co-wrote nine of the songs for this ten-song program and features such stellar guest talent as Marcus Miller, R&B singer Jaheim on the title track, Dave Hollister's gospel-flavored street style heard on "Something Inside," and Trina Broussard's crystal-clear vocals on the opening track, "Heaven." Boney James recorded two of the songs live in the studio, seasons "This Is the Life" with a tropical flavoring complete with steel pans, and downright floors listeners on the groove-oriented "See What I'm Sayin'," with Marcus Miller's funky basslines doing the walking while Boney James' saxophone does the talking. Ride is more intense and funkier than James' duet collaboration with trumpeter Rick Braun on Shake It Up, but doesn't stray far from his ability to do just that. It's definitely a smooth ride and one listeners will enjoy. Paula Edelstein