Brian Culbertson XII

Audio Mixers: Bob Horn; Brian Culbertson.Recording information: Angel Sounds, Los Angeles, CA; BCM Studios, Los Angeles; Cocoa-Butt Studios, Culver City, CA; Infinite Sound Studio, Bryans Road, MD; The Boat, Los Angeles, CA; The Hive, North Hollywood, CA.Photographer: Daniel Ray.Arranger: Brian Culbertson.Given the widespread critical acclaim and commercial success Brian Culbertson garnered from 2008's retro Bringing Back the Funk, it would be understandably tempting for him -- or any musician -- to revisit it wholesale. However, Culbertson throws a changeup on XII and comes up with a set of collaborative originals with stellar guests that relies more on modern adult R&B than funk, and more on sophisticated pop than it does on contemporary jazz. He's got real star power on this set; it's a groover that includes everything from club to go-go funk, up- and midtempo R&B, and polished bedroom ballads, and it all holds together seamlessly. The set opens with "Feelin' It," which feat