Following two albums with a reconstituted L.A. Express, Bluestreak and Smokin' Section, Tom Scott returns to solo frontman duties on his Higher Octave Jazz debut, New Found Freedom, but he does so with a large number of guests. Those guests help broaden the styles of music available on the release, although Scott's own saxophone work remains a touchstone and everything on the disc will be easily programmable on smooth jazz radio. Indeed, the variety gives programmers many choices. Craig Chaquico, a fellow veteran of the 1970s rock scene and now a labelmate, joins Scott with some characteristic acoustic guitar work on the becalmed opener, "Feelin' It," after which adult contemporary singer Ann Nesby croons "You Are My Everything" while Billy Preston joins in on organ. Scott's taste for R&B and funk is on display on "(Don't You Wanna) Jam," which gives way to the more reflective "Can You Stand the Rain," spotlighting George Duke on acoustic piano. Another soulful number is an interpretation of Simply Red's "Holding Back the Years," and Daniel Rodriguez, the singing New York police officer who gained fame after September 11 (and whose debut album Scott produced) comes on for a thoughtful version of "Everything Must Change." This is a well-assembled collection of smooth jazz that will please fans of the genre and of Scott. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
Tom Scott (Horn Arrangements), Marcel East (Engineer), David Satterfield (Vocals (Background)), Mikael Sandgren (Programming), Mikael Sandgren (Synthesizer Pads), Luis Conte (Percussion), David Rideau (Mixing), Alex Al (Bass), Abraham Laboriel, Sr. (Bass), Carl Anderson (Vocals), Michael Cooper (Vocals), Tom Scott (Sax (Alto)), Larry McGee (Guitar (Electric)), Ricky Lawson (Drums), David Rideau (Arranger), John Barnes (Arranger), Mikael Sandgren (Arranger), George Duke (Piano), Tom Scott (Synthesizer), Luis Conte (Conga), Janet Wolsborn (Art Direction), Paul Jackson, Jr. (Guitar (Acoustic)), Jesse Gorman (Engineer), Candice Held (Stylist), Juan Pablo Velasco (Engineer), Tom Scott (Engineer), Curtis Dowd, Jr. (Vocal Arrangement), Jonathan Butler (?), Stephen Marcussen (Mastering), Gerald McCauley (Producer), Tom Scott (Saxophone), Tom Scott (Arranger), Gerald McCauley (Fender Rhodes), Craig T. Cooper (Talk Box), Ann Nesby (Vocals (Background)), Daniel Rodriguez (Vocals), Marcus Miller (Bass), Gerald McCauley (Programming), John Barnes (Trumpet), Matt Marshall (Executive Producer), Valerie Watson (Vocals (Background)), Tom Scott (Producer), Gerald McCauley (Arranger), Ann Nesby (Vocals), Ricky Lawson (Cymbals), Gina Grimes (Producer), Gerald McCauley (?), Rachel Stolte (Grooming), Dennis Keeley (Photography), John Barnes (Flugelhorn), Gerald McCauley (Engineer), Tom Scott (Sax (Tenor)), Craig T. Cooper (Guitar (Rhythm)), Nathan East (Bass), Mikael Sandgren (Engineer), Tom Scott (Harmonica), Gina Grimes (Creative Services Coordinator), Patty Nichols (Project Coordinator), Paul Jackson, Jr. (Guitar (Electric)), Craig Chaquico (Guitar), Paul Jackson, Jr. (Guitar (Rhythm)), John Barnes (Strings), Phil Upchurch (Guitar (Acoustic)), Paulinho Da Costa (Percussion), Greg Thomas (Sax (Tenor)), Curtis Dowd, Jr. (Engineer), Mikael Sandgren (Synthesizer Strings), Tom Scott (Soloist), David Rideau (Producer), Jerry Peters (Fills), Jeff Kanan (Engineer), Jerry Peters (Fender Rhodes), Janet Wolsborn (Design), John Barnes (Piano (Electric)), Valerie Watson (Vocals), John Barnes (Synthesizer Bass), Phil Upchurch (Soloist), David Rideau (Engineer), Jack Ruben (Engineer), Pablo Munguia (Engineer), Dan Selene (Executive Producer), Kurt Clayton (Keyboards), Gerald McCauley (Sampling), Billy Preston (Organ (Hammond))
