"Good Woman" (02/25/2003) R&B Knight, Gladys, Universal Special ProductsPersonnel includes: Gladys Knight (vocals); Bubba Knight (vocals); D.C. (guitar, keyboards, bass, programming, background vocals); Michael J. Powell (guitar); David McMurray, Gerald Albright (saxophone); Greg Philinganes (acoustic piano); Bobby Cavanest (keyboards, synthesizer); Vernon D. Fails (keyboards); Nathan East (bass); Ricky Lawson (drums); Ramsey Embrick (programming); Valerie Pinkston-Mayo, Jim Gilstrap, Angel Rogers, Vancile Fagget, Kelly Connelly, Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, David Peaston, Phineas Newborn III, Alfie Silas, Patti Howard, Attala Zane Giles, Vesta Williams, Forrest Gardner, Henry Thomas, Jean McClain, Wil Wheaton, Ronnee Martin, Marcellina Hawthorne (background vocals); George Duke. Composer: Guy Moon. Personnel: Gladys Knight (vocals, background vocals); Robert Kelly (vocals, keyboards, drums); Bubba Knight (vocals, background vocals); D.C. (guitar, keyboards, programming, background vocals); Michael Powell (guitar, percussion); Michael J. Powell (guitar); Mark Nilon (strings, synthesizer, Synclavier, programming); Eddie Fluellan (strings); David McMurray, Gerald Albright (saxophone); Greg Phillinganes, Greg Philinganes (piano); Howie Rice (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Bobby Cavanest (keyboards, synthesizer); Robert Kelley (keyboards, drums); Guy Moon (keyboards, programming); Vernon D. Fails (keyboards); Ramsey Embick (synthesizer, programming); Michael Baird , Michael Williams, Ricky Lawson (drums); Alan Tatum, David Ward II, Barry Mann (programming); David Preston, Kevin Guillaume, Pattie Howard, Dionne Warwick, Valerie Pinkston-Mayo, Dorian Holley, Marcellina Hawthorne, Marie Woodard, Henry Thomas , Rene Martin, Voncile Fogget, Voncielle Faggett, Kelley Connelly, Carolyn Dennis, Jim Gilstrap, Alex Brown, Louis Silas, Jr., Alfie Silas, Patti LaBelle, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Vesta Williams, Wil Wheaton, Mortonette Jenkins, Jean McClain, Angel Rogers (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Chris Hufford; Elliot Peters; Alfie Silas; Michael Powell ; Attala Zane Giles; Tom Lord-Alge; Barney Perkins. Audio Remasterers: Robert Kelly ; Michael Stokes; Tom Lord-Alge; Brian Malouf. Liner Note Author: Pete Johnson . Recording information: Encore Recording Studios, Burbank, CA; Howie Sound, Studio City, CA; Institute Of Groove Research, Malibu, CA; M'Bila Recording Studio, Hollywood, CA; Paramount Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Sound Suite Recording Studios, Detroit, MI; Soundworks Studios, New York, NY; Studio 2810, Las Vegas, NV; Studio 56, Hollywood, CA; Vanguard Recording Complex, Oak Park, MI. Photographers: Matthew Rolston; Randee Saint Nicholas. Arrangers: Robert Kelly ; Guy Moon; D.C.; Howie Rice; Eddie Fluellan; Alex Brown; Michael Powell ; Paul Riser; Attala Zane Giles; Barry Mann. After performing with the Pips since 1952, Gladys Knight parted company with them in the late '80s and became a full-time solo artist. Good Woman wasn't Knight's first solo album (she'd recorded a neglected solo album in 1978), but it was the first to do anything commercially. Like her final recordings with the Pips, Good Woman found Knight taking an urban contemporary-oriented approach without sacrificing her artistic integrity. The highly infectious single "Men" is an absolute gem, and cuts ranging from the smooth "This Is Love" to the gritty new jack swing number "Meet Me In the Middle" (which contains a sample of Public Enemy's Flavor Flav) are definitely the work of an artist being true to herself. Some may find it hard to imagine Knight embracing new jack swing, but in fact, she does so convincingly. Though a few of the cuts aren't very memorable, this is a CD that the veteran singer can, for the most part, be proud of. ~ Alex Henderson
