THE VERY BEST OF MAR |

Personnel: Marc Antoine (keyboards, Moog synthesizer, guitar, programming); Patti Austin, Cara Jackson (vocals); Andy Snitzer (saxophone); Michael Davis (trombone); Sam Riney, Larry Williams, Dave Valentin (flute); Mike Mainieri (vibraphone); Philippe Saisse (piano, keyboards, drums, percussion, programming); James Raymond (piano, keyboards); Rachel Z (Fender Rhodes piano); Rick Braun (keyboards, programming); Michael Railton (keyboards); Jimmy Haslip, John Menzano, Alex Al, Armand Sabal-Lecco, Will Lee, Jimmy Earl (bass); David Palmer (drums, cymbals); Lil' John Roberts (drums); Luis Conte, Willie McNeil, Steve Reid (percussion).
Producers include: Marc Antoine, Rick Braun, Paul Brown, Tommy LiPuma, Philippe Saisse.
Compilation producers: Bud Harner, Bryan Koniarz.
Recorded between 1994 & 2001. Includes liner notes by Jonathan Widran.
Personnel: Marc Antoine (guitar, keyboards, drum programming); Cara Jackson, Patti Austin (vocals); Dave Valentin, Sam Riney (flute); Peter White (accordion); Andy Snitzer (saxophone); Jerry Hey, Jim Hynes (trumpet); Michael Davis (trombone); Philippe Saisse (piano, keyboards, drums, percussion, drum programming); James Raymond (piano, keyboards); Rachel Z (Fender Rhodes piano); Rick Braun (keyboards, drum programming); Ricky Peterson, Michael Railton (keyboards); Mike Mainieri (vibraphone); David Palmer (drums, cymbals); Lil John Roberts (drums); Willie McNeil, Steve Reid , Luis Conte (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Jonathan Widran.
Recording information: Braunotosoarus Studio, Wooland Hills, CA; Capitol Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Frazzy Frog Studios, France; Frogland Studio; Funky Joint Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Slamm Shack Studios, North Hollywood, CA; Sonic Jungle; Valerian Studio, New York, NY.
Arrangers: Marc Antoine ; Philippe Saisse.
Though his simplistic arrangements and often-repeated themes mark him as an artist more likely to be heard in an elevator than a jukebox, Marc Antoine is among the best of the mood music merchants active during the '90s and 2000s. A soft-toned player of the Spanish guitar, Antoine has a gift for intricate yet non-complex playing as well as strong melodies, and his compositions occasionally reveal a surprising depth (if only he'd delegate the drum-programming duties to someone beside himself). This 12-track collection, The Very Best of Marc Antoine, spans five of his LPs for GRP, beginning with "Latin Quarter," (far and away his best performance). None of the rest rise above the level of Muzak, though the addition of live drummer Lil' John Roberts for "On the Strip" makes a big difference, and Antoine summons a bit of magic for the title track of Cruisin'. ~ John Bush

• Released: 2003-05-06
• Genre: Jazz
• Format: CD
• Format: CD
• Genre: JAZZ
• Released: 2003-05-06