Take 6: Alvin Chea (vocals, various instruments, programming); David Thomas (vocals, keyboards, drums); Cedric Dent (vocals, keyboards, programming); Joel Kibble (vocals, programming); Mark Kibble, Claude V. McKnight III (vocals).
Additional personnel: Paul Jackson, Jr., Michael Thompson, Carl Stewart, Dann Huff, Wah Wah Watson, Richard Zunigar (guitar); Jerry Hey, Gary Grant (trumpet); Bill Reichenbach (trombone); Les Pierce (keyboards, drums); Greg Phillinganes, Mervyn Warren, Keith Andes (keyboards); Sekou Bunch, Neil Stubenhaus, Nathan Watts (bass); Ricky Lawson, Jeffrey Watts, James Blair (drums); Paulinho DaCosta (tambourine, percussion); Vincent Herbert, Ben Garrison, Claude Gaudette, David Ward (programming).
Producers: Take 6, Vincent Herbert, Les Pierce, David Foster, Brian McKnight, Stevie Wonder.
Engineers include: Brian Malouf, Ben Garrison, Les Pierce.
Principally recorded at Emerald Sound and 16th Avenue Sound, Nashville, Tennessee and at Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California.
JOIN THE BAND won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
"All I Need (Is A Chance)" was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.
Recording information: Can-Am Studios, TN; Edlorado Recording Studio, Hollywood, CA; Electric Lady Studios, NY; Emerald Sound, Nashville, TN.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Queen Latifah ; Stevie Wonder; Ray Charles.
This gospel-infused, jazz-inspired sextet shows all the little boy vocal harmony groups how it's done. The lyrics are geared towards God, but the slick, bubbly production is cool and soulful R&B all the way. Their picture-perfect, rhythmically fascinating voice texturing certainly doesn't need any embellishment; however, on hand to lend support are Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Kirk Whalum, and Gerald Albright. In light of all the self-contained artistic brilliance, it's sad that they resorted to the commercialism of a bland David Foster ballad and a Queen Latifah rap. Top cuts include "Biggest Part of Me" (remake of the old Ambrosia hit), "It's Gonna Rain," and "I've Got Life." ~ Jonathan Widran
