Gregg Kofi Brown and Friends

Fans of slick afro-jazz will find many joyous moments on Together As One. In fact music lovers across the board should at least appreciate its quality. Gregg Kofi Brown has played with funk-jazz pioneers Osibisa for over 20 years, and on this solo work he invites Sting, Roachford, Des'ree, Gabrielle, Billy Cobham (drums) and Stanley Jordan (guitar), among others, to lend their silky skills. The clarity and production on each track is so top drawer and almost too perfect – a little roughing up wouldn't go amiss! The sax driven grooves of Midnight Flyer, the percussive shuffle and soothing vocal chants of Live As One, with its memorable conga playout, are moments to savour. Wake Up The Morning is a moving tribute to the short life of Damilola Taylor, with vocals by Des'ree and Gabrielle it's a particular highlight, that rather than wallowing in loss, it celebrates and rejoices life. Recent single, Lullaby To An Anxious Child, floats and grooves with light guitars and fitting vocals from Brown and Sting.

There's so much quality throughout it's like eating a stick of rock – each lick and bite consistently has the mark of class – though will be too sweet for some palates, but even if you're not a fan of this clinical style and delivery, the production and musicianship is so slick, with an effortless soul, it deserves respect.

Rob Barnett, Music News