| On Have You Heard, Jackson keeps the music full of energy and emotion as the funky atmosphere is apparent throughout. Jackson contributes five originals and covers the material of Bobby Womack and Curtis Mayfield. Also offered is a contemporary version of the Gershwin standard, “Summertime,” arranged by Mark Whitfield. Special guest vocalist Lisa Fischer offers a fiery rendition of the Jackson-Matthews tune, “Feel Like Breakin’ up Somebody’s Home”. Jackson also utilizes Fischer’s voice on Roger Troutman’s “Dance Floor” and the reprise “Funky in Here”. Quoting Jackson, “She was incredible and I now understand fully why she is a vocal favorite of Luther Vandross and the Rolling Stones.”
“I really enjoyed the interplay of the group”, says Jackson about the Have You Heard recording, “and when we play in front of a live audience, the house shakes, we’re having so much fun.” The group includes organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith and ace guitarist Mark Whitfield, both from the line up on Easy Does It. Kenny Davis has had a stellar career, once electric bassist of the Jay Leno Tonight Show band, as well as Herbie Hancock’s and Dianne Reeves’ groups. Terreon Gully rounds out the group on drums. Gully is one of the most in-demand drummers in the business, playing regularly with jazz, hip hop, and R&B soul artists. |