Description
One Moment Please is the sophomore solo album by the American singer and songwriter Riki Michele of Adam Again fame, released on Brainstorm Artists International in November 1993, manufactured and distributed by Word under the WAL (Word Associated Labels) umbrella, a division of Word. The album was recorded by Terry Taylor (of Daniel Amos), Gene Eugene (of Adam Again), Chris Colbert (of Breakfast With Amy), and Drew Aldridge at The Green Room in Huntington Beach, California; and as well at The Mixing Lab in Garden Grove, California. Mixed by Eugene and Aldridge at The Mixing Lab. Produced by Terry Taylor. (Produced for the WAL by Brainstorm Productions.)
Featuring Riki Michele on lead vocals, Rob Watson (Daniel Amos) on keyboards and synthesizer, Gene Eugene on Fender Rhodes, Michael Roe (The 77’s) and Derri Daugherty (The Choir) on guitars, and a rhythm section consisting of bassist Tim Chandler (Daniel Amos, The Choir) and drummer Aaron Smith (The 77’s).
I enjoyed this so much that after years of stoic denial I succumbed to purchasing a CD player to appreciate it more fully. The album is a collaboration principally featuring the work of Riki, Gene Eugene (of Adam Again) and Terry Taylor, all showcasing Riki’s smooth vocals. Only one song is a cover, «Fly Like An Eagle» (yep, the Steve Miller Band oldie), the remainder are home crafted, on balance so good that I wonder at the cover’s inclusion. Riki’s voice and lyrics remind me of Suzanne Vega, but unlike Vega there is hope and joy amongst the mundane and familiar. The first track, «Moon», comprises only vocals and fender rhodes and lyrically moulds the commonplace with fantasy, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Whilst my taste is for the ballads and the more sparingly arranged numbers the up beat tracks have a decidedly funky edge, are tightly produced and are acceptably palatable. Whilst some songs inhabit crossover territory others are unashamedly Christian in content; the final track, «In The Calling» giving the Lord’s perspective on our prayers (now there’s a reversal). The whole package is nicely balanced, tasteful and refreshing. A joy to review. [Cliff Doust, Cross Rhythms, October 1994]
Michele is best known as the dancing and vocal counterpart to Gene Eugene in Adam Again; here Riki pretty much distances herself from the urban funk of that group, in favor of a jazz/pop, Steely Dan-oriented groove, while the ethereal Kate Bush seems to be her vocal model. Rhythm backing on many tracks is provided by DA bassist Tim Chandler and 77’s drummer Aaron Smith; that duo brings a soulful feel to the Mike Roe-penned «Mind to Mind» and Riki’s cover of Steve Miller’s «Fly Like an Eagle». Keyboardist/arranger Rob Watson and Choir axman Derri Daugherty lend an atmospheric approach to Riki’s original «Big Machine», which finds the singer trapped by external forces that she can’t control. The album’s rockin’est title – «Love Life and Dance» – comes via producer Terry Taylor. Watson, Chandler and Smith provide an elastic backdrop for the singer, while Roe colors the track with tasty guitar fills which answer Michele’s vocal; Taylor’s chorus, which says “God breaks through/ He still astounds us/ And wants us all to love life and dance” might well be Michele’s theme. Riki’s 1989 solo effort was partially overshadowed by Adam Again’s ‘Ten Songs‘ and ‘Homeboys‘; but this impressive follow-up will remind many what an accomplished singer and composer she is in her own right. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, December 1993]
CD tracklist:
01. Moon
02. Fly Like An Eagle
03. One Moment Please
04. Far, Far
05. Big Machine
06. Mind To Mind
07. Light Of The World
08. Love Life And Dance
09. Love You Now
10. Daniel’s Eyes
11. In The Calling
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Brainstorm. The album track “Far, Far” was released as a CD single, which also including another album track “Love Life and Dance” as well as a bonus track entitled “It’s Here” featuring a brief rap by Peace.
CREDITS. Produced by Terry Taylor. (Produced for the WAL by Brainstorm Productions.) Recorded at The Green Room, Huntington Beach, CA, and at The Mixing Lab, Garden Grove, CA. Engineered by Terry Taylor, Gene Eugene, Chris Colbert, and Drew Aldridge. Mixed by Eugene and Aldridge at The Mixing Lab. Mastered by Doug Doyle at Digital Brothers. Art Direction and Design by The Howdy Partners. Photography by Mark Takeuchi. Executive producers: Ojo Taylor and Gene Eugene.
Musicians: Riki Michele (Lead Vocals), Rob Watson (Synth Arrangements and Keyboards), Gene Eugene (Piano, Fender Rhodes Piano, Nylon String Guitar on track 9), Michael Roe (Guitar – tracks: 2, 6, 8, 10), Derri Daugherty (Guitar – tracks: 5, 7, 9, 11), Tim Chandler (Bass), Aaron Smith (Drums), Jon Knox (Drums on track 11).
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