Christopher Loudon of Jazz Times noted "This new solo effort from Earth, Wind and Fire’s estimable frontman should really be called Soul on the Periphery of Jazz. Like a martini so dry that the vermouth is barely detectable, Bailey's latest is pure soul infused with just a hint of jazz." Loudon added "Reinterpreting jazz treasures both familiar and lesser-known, he moves from triumph to triumph."[2]
Ed Hogan of AllMusic gave a 3 out of 5 star rating and wrote "More jazz-oriented than Dreams, Soul on Jazz benefits from the sharing of production chores with Myron McKinley, Bob Belden, and Scott Kinsey. The album is definitely on track."[1] The Associated Press declared "His new solo compilation, mixes two of the most creative forms of music.".."After more than 30 years, Bailey's sound is more innovative than ever."[5]
| Title | Writer(s) |
|---|
| 1. | "My Indiscretions" | Sir Bailey, Joe Zawinul | 4:25 |
|---|
| 2. | "Dear Ruby (Ruby, My Dear)" | Thelonious Monk, Sally Swisher | 4:42 |
|---|
| 3. | "Compared to What" | Gene McDaniels | 4:59 |
|---|
| 4. | "Nature Boy" | Eden, Ahbez | 4:57 |
|---|
| 5. | "Bop-Skip-Doodle" | Sir Bailey, Wayne "Dj Smash" Cobbs | 4:24 |
|---|
| 6. | "Unrestrained" | Sir Bailey, Myron McKinley | 3:48 |
|---|
| 7. | "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" | Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Larry Williams, Joe Zawinul | 4:51 |
|---|
| 8. | "Keep Your Head to the Sky" | Maurice White | 4:56 |
|---|
| 9. | "Sometime Ago" | Chick Corea, Neville Potter | 3:47 |
|---|
| 10. | "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" | Herbie Hancock, Jean Hancock | 5:14 |
|---|
| 11. | "On the Red Clay" | Freddie Hubbard, Mark Murphy | 5:01 |
|---|
- Philip Bailey – lead vocals, handclaps (1), timbales (3), arrangements (5, 6, 8), backing vocals (6)
- Scott Kinsey – keyboards (1, 4, 5, 9, 11), handclaps (1), arrangements (1, 5, 9, 11), orchestration (4), programming (5, 11), acoustic piano (9), electric piano (10)
- Myron McKinley – acoustic piano (2, 3, 4, 6, 7), keyboards (2, 3, 6, 7, 8), melodica (2, 6), arrangements (2, 3, 6, 7, 8)
- DJ Smash – programming (5)
- Mike Campbell – guitar (1-5, 7, 8, 9, 11) [Not the same Mike Campbell that played with Tom Petty].
- Alan Burroughs – acoustic guitar (2)
- John Hart – lead guitar (9, 11), guitar (10)
- David Dyson – bass guitar (2, 3, 6, 7)
- Ira Coleman – acoustic bass (4, 5, 8-11)
- Billy Kilson – drums
- Don Alias – congas (1-4, 8, 9, 10), percussion (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10), handclaps (1)
- Dave Love – handclaps (1)
- Daniel de los Reyes – congas (7)
- Bob Belden – soprano saxophone (1), handclaps (1), arrangements (4, 10)
- Lou Marini – alto saxophone (3, 7)
- Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone (3)
- Scott Wendholt – trumpet (1, 4)
- Billy Baker – backing vocals (1, 5)
- Charmaine Cousins – backing vocals (1, 2, 3, 5-8, 11)
- David Whitworth – backing vocals (1, 2, 5, 6, 11), BGV arrangements (3, 7, 8)
- Don Corey Washington – backing vocals (2, 3, 7, 8, 11)
- Robert Brookins – backing vocals (6)[6]
- Producers – Philip Bailey (all tracks); Bob Belden and Scott Kinsey (Tracks 1, 4, 5, 9, 10 & 11); Myron McKinley (Tracks 2, 3, 6, 7 & 8).
- Executive Producer – Dave Love
- Engineered and Mixed by Robert Friedrich
- Assistant Engineers – Mark Fraunfelder and Tim Stritmater
- Recorded at Bennett Studios (Englewood, NJ).
- BGV’s recorded by David Kowlaski
- Technical Engineer – Andy Ackland
- Mix Assistant – Tim Lauber
- Mixed at O’Henry Studios (Burbank, CA).
- Mastered by Louis F. Hemsey
- Art Direction and Design – Robert Hoffman
- Cover Photo – Peter Figen
- Inner Sleeve Photos – Andrew Lepley
[6]
