“Jazz Monthly Feature Interview” Norman Brown

Smitty:  Well, my next guest is no stranger to the groove.  His latest record is a fantastic continuation of a great tradition of ultrasonic grooves and uninhibited funk.  His new record is called Stay With Me and it is a record that forms just part of the backdrop of an incredible career of making great music. He’s one of my closest friends in the business.  Please welcome the incredible Mr. Norman Brown.  Norman, how ya doin’, my friend?

Norman Brown (NB):  I am doing great, my brother.  Thank you for having me here.

Smitty:  Hey, man, it’s great to talk with you, and I’m really excited about your new record. It’s is fantastic!  I’m lovin’ the groove.

NB:  Thank you so much.  I really wanted to put a lot into this one. I wanted to hear that from people.

Smitty:  Yeah, man, and I said to myself, man, he has shown us another side of Norman Brown.  This is some fresh great new music, man.

NB:  Oh, man, thank you very much.  What I did was I went back and, well, I listened to my fans and I went back and listened to what they’ve really dug about me, what they say is sort of my defining moments, and I wanted to make sure that element was there and also the growth that I’ve experienced since that time.

Smitty:  Yeah, man.  Well, speaking of growth, man, you have created some great albums in the past and it seems like each one is a new level, and I’ve gotta say—and I mean this—this is your best record, man.

NB:  Wow!  Thank you so much.  I feel that way myself.  I really feel like it’s the best effort I’ve put forth so far and I hope the fans agree with us.

Smitty:  Oh, I think so, I really think so, because, the arrangements are incredible, you’ve got some fantastic hot players, I mean, we could go down this list of who’s who with Paul Brown producing, you’ve got Jeff Carruthers in there, Alex Al…

NB:  Eddie Campbell, Herman Jackson…

Smitty:  Yeah.

NB:  Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum…Brian McKnight did some producing, did some background singing for me.

Smitty:  Right. And that was a nice little thing with you and Brian McKnight.  I mean, you cats really complemented each other very well with the vocals and then you kicked the guitar in there and the rhythm, and it was on!

NB:  Yes, well, thank you, man.  Brian and I go way back.  We used to go to the same barber shop getting haircuts.

Smitty:  (Laughs.)

NB:  And I called him up.  “Hey, man, I was looking for this type of song.”  You know, he’s the great writer he is.  He came up with that joint and I said “Oh my goodness!  Thank you!”

Smitty:  Oh, man, yeah, that is pretty slick.  I didn’t realize you guys have that background, but wow, it definitely shows, man, because it is fantastic.

NB:  Thank you.

Smitty:  And that’s the title track of the album too, right?

NB:  Absolutely and I’m speaking to my fans, man.  “Stay with me.  I got what you want.”

Smitty:  Oh yeah, as I listen to the record for the first time, I said “Man, he must really want them to stay with him.”  (Both laugh.)

NB:  Absolutely, man.  I really put a lot into that and that was the thought behind it, so it was perfect when that song came along.

Smitty:  Yeah, great track.  And then “Let’s Take A Ride.”  What a great tune. The first track on the record, it’s got the signature Norman Brown but, man, it’s got that slip slide groove and let’s just have a good time.

NB:  Thank you.  That’s a song that I dedicate to my brotha Popsicle.  He’s the reason I’m playing the guitar. This guy, he would love to get in the car and go for a ride, so he would grab me and say “Norman, I just got this new cassette [at the time]” and we’d jump in the Trans Am and drive around Kansas City just listening to great music, so I thought I would dedicate one to him.  That’s for Popsicle.

Smitty:  Oh, that’s cool, man.  It’s funny you mention that.  I often do this:  when I’m reviewing music, listening for the first time—I’ve talked about this before—but I take night drives and it’s just something about a late night drive with a new record and really getting into it and understanding it and, most importantly, feeling the record.  It’s just something about me, the road and the music, and we’re just out there and nothing else exists.  It’s usually a back road and the stars and just a beautiful night and the great music.  So it’s funny you mention that, and I’ll tell you, there is one song that inspired me to do that.

NB:  Tell me, please.

Smitty:  It’s from your Just Chillin’ CD, “Night Drive.”

NB:  “Night Drive,” there it is.  Yeah, that’s a great one for riding there.

Smitty:  Yeah, it’s one of my all-time favorite Norman Brown tracks.

NB:  Thank you, my friend.  I really like that one as well.

Smitty:  Yeah, and that features Rick Braun on the horn, you know?

NB:  That’s right.  Phil Davis, I wrote that with him and Paul Brown.

Smitty:  Yeah, well, speaking of Paul Brown, I know you’ve hooked up with Paul Brown again for this record and Paul Brown was certainly an important part of you winning a Grammy.  Talk about what that means for you to have Paul Brown in the mix of what you’re doing with this new record.

NB:  Oh, it’s an interesting relationship how it developed.  I had left Motown Records to sign with Warner Brothers.  Warner Brothers was like, “Man, you know, we need you to work with a producer and we have a great one in here in-house, Paul Brown,” right?

Smitty:  Right.

NB:  And at that point I had been producing my records myself after the first one, which Norman Connors produced, and I was having great success, so I didn’t see any reason to change that.  We thought about it and because I felt like there was a sound that Paul Brown had and that was a Paul Brown sound.

Smitty:  Yeah.

NB:  Well, so then maybe the artists that he produced.  But we thought about it and went back and forth, I agreed to go in and work on some things with him.  He and I fought in the studio.  (Both laugh.)  It was interesting just developing the relationship and, man, what came out of it was a beautiful relationship that brings the best ideas to the top, and that’s the point so, man, it’s great now.  (Both laugh.)  We love each other and we work together great.

Smitty:  How cool is that? And look at what you’ve both accomplished together.

NB:  Absolutely.  You know what?  I felt like it was something good there because I loved his work before, absolutely, just was a little apprehensive about it and the way they were forcing it on me, you know what I mean?

Smitty:  Yeah, that’s not always the best approach.

NB:  That had a lot to do with it, I think.  If they had said “Man, maybe you should consider working with Paul,” I would’ve said “Of course, let me meet with him,” you know what I mean?

Smitty:  Yeah.

NB:  Sure, we would’ve worked together, and it was just kind of a rocky start, but it’s a beautiful ride now.

Smitty:  Yeah, man.  So after you picked up the Grammy with Just Chillin’, what did you say to Paul Brown when you saw him again?

NB:  Oh, man, I called him right away.  “Man, we got it!  It was the bomb!  Thank you so much for everything you’ve done, man.”  I mean, that’s part of the growth I talk about on this record, you know?  In the beginning I was writing and producing my records myself and then I went out and collaborated, worked with other writers, other producers, and learned some other avenues.

Smitty:  Absolutely.

NB:  Brought that back to the table on this record and that’s really why I feel it’s an elevation for me.

Smitty:  Yeah, and that shows great maturity too because you are truly doing your thing now.  Well, speaking of elevation, I just think that you have always continued an upward movement with your music and your fans appreciate that as well as myself.  I’m a fan too. I can be a fan. (Both laugh.)

NB:  Thank you so much and that’s why I work so hard at it.  It means that much to all of us.

Smitty:  True that. You have one interesting track on here, among others, “It Ain’t Over BWB.”  Are you telling your fans something?

NB:  I’m telling my fans something and my boys in the group, yes [Kirk Whalum and Rick Braun].  We got bit by the bug of being together on that record we made over at Warner Brothers and the tour we did and, man, I miss that vibe.

Smitty:  I know.

NB:  Yeah, so that song came to me and it was a BWB joint.  (Both laugh.)

Smitty:  So can we look forward to seeing the BWB thing again?

NB:  I’m sure at some point we’re gonna do it again.  With the whole politics of the recording industry, it’s all changing labels and all of that, we have to make sure our careers keep going first, you know?

Smitty:  Yeah, absolutely, man, absolutely.  Well, we await that time because that was a beautiful time, some great music.  Well, I gotta talk about my favorite track on this new record.

NB:  Oh, I can’t wait to hear that.

Smitty:  And, man, let me tell ya, it was a very, very tough decision.

NB:  Okay.

Smitty:  I narrowed it down to “Soul Dance” and “A Quiet Place,” and “Soul Dance” won out and I’ll tell you why.

NB:  Tell me.

Smitty:  I just love that guitar groove mixed with Sam Riney on sax and I’m so glad to see him on this record.  Man, he has a sax groove that won’t wait.

NB:  I agree, man.  What’s interesting about that, Smitty, is when I first moved to L.A., I met Sam through a mutual friend.  Sam was working on a record.  You know, I played guitar.  He said “Man, come play some guitar on my record for me.”  Of course I did and I never heard from the guy again. I don’t know what happened with the business with him, but the record didn’t come out, he didn’t make another one, and Paul Brown said to me “Man, let’s get Sam Riney on this record.”  I was like “Are you kidding?  Yes, go grab him!”  (Both laugh.)

Smitty:  That is a sweet sax with your guitar.

NB:  Thank you. He put a vibe on that baby, definitely.

Smitty:  Yes indeed, so that one won out but “A Quiet Place,” Track 9, is very close behind, it’s almost side by side, because that’s a great track, and I can’t be quiet with that song.  (Both laugh.)

NB:  Yeah, that’s one of my favorites as well.  I couldn’t agree with you more on that.

Smitty:  So, now, when you started to put this record together, the arrangements, were you and Paul just talking about some songs or was this something you had already kinda rolled out of your head?  How did that all roll out?

NB:  Well, I produced six of the cuts on the record myself with my partner Herman Jackson and Lloyd Tolbert, so I had written those tunes and I’d been writing those things and I wanted to get some of that Paul Brown flavor, so yeah, I went over to Paul.  “Man, let’s work on some things together like we always do” and we came up with some really brilliant things, I think.

Smitty:  I agree, yeah.  So whose idea was it on “So In Love”?  Was it Herman’s idea or your idea to sing on this one?  Because it’s pretty cool.  I said “Man, Norman’s singing again.”

NB:  Well, you know what?  I was torn with it.  We were in the studio recording it and I just heard that line and I started singing and Herman said “Man, you gotta put that down.”

Smitty:  (Laughs.)

NB:  “Shouldn’t we get some girls to do it or something?”  (Both laugh.)  He says “No, man, we need your voice on this one” so I went in there and did it and there it is.

Smitty:  Yeah, man, it’s nice.

NB:  And he and I went back and forth with it, man.  I had mixed a version without it and I mixed a version with them and, of course, you see what won out.

Smitty:  Yeah, yeah.  How meticulous are you in selecting your rhythm section?

NB:  Oh, yeah, the heartbeat, that’s the crucial part. Everything on top is candy and sprinkles compared to the heart and the core of the matter.  (Laughs.)

Smitty:  Yeah, man.

NB:  Well, that’s the song, really, and after that it’s the rhythm section.

Smitty:  Well, I tell you, man, you selected some great players and the arrangements of the rhythm section are just…it’s mind blowing.  This is incredible stuff.

NB:  Man, you know what?  I really wanted to make it something special, so along with my talents and the people I collaborated with, I really tried to pull the best out of all of us.

Smitty:  You did it, brotha.  I like the photos on the liner notes too, man.  You laid it out, bro.

NB:  Well, thank you.  I wasn’t sure about that photo session.  I left that day feeling like “Oh, man, I wonder if they got it?”  (Both laugh.)

Smitty:  It’s cool. Norman, I think you have made an emphatic statement to your fans to stay with you and I think they will hear you loud and clear because this is a great voice of music to your fans.

NB:  I’m so glad to hear that.  It really is.  I mean, man, you can’t say it enough to me and to you the fans, thank you guys out there so much for the love over this career and I hope this is one that you can add to your collection of special ones.

Smitty:  Yes, man, and speaking of that, you’ve got a nice little tour lined up for the year so far.

NB:  Absolutely.  We’re doing the Norman Brown Summer Storm.  This is the third year, 2007.  This year we’re starring Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber and Marion Meadows.

Smitty:  Wow.  That’s a storm.

NB:  Awesome show.

Smitty:  Yeah, man, looks like a talent show.  Whoo!  (Both laugh.)  Wow.

NB:  Thank you.

Smitty:  So your fans can look forward to you coming out because I think, looking at your tour schedule, you are going to cover the country.  This is not just one region, this is the country.

NB:  Yeah, we’re trying to get everywhere we can so, you guys, come out and party with us.  It’s really a great time.  I think we’re coming your way.

Smitty:  Yeah, man, you’re coming my way.

NB:  That’s right.

Smitty:  Yeah, I’m looking forward to that.  We gotta do a hang, man.

NB:  Oh, man, you know what?  I sure hope I get in town the night or the day before or something so we can do that.

Smitty:  Yeah, that’ll be cool.  Well, speaking of hangin, man, we had a great time on the Brian Culbertson cruise.  That was a nice hang.

NB:  That was a lotta fun, I know!

Smitty:  Yeah, man.  So much fun, you’re coming back, huh?

NB:  I am.  I’ll be back next year for that one.

Smitty:  That’s great.  Those cruises are so much fun because there’s where you can really just kinda kick it with the fans, with your peers. It’s like a reunion, you know?

NB:  No, it really is and it’s a real plus for us and the fans because we don’t normally get that type of time together.

Smitty:  Yeah, absolutely, so it’s a beautiful thing.  Well, Norman, once again, man, I wanna congratulate you on this great new record and the nice tour and everything you’ve done in your career. It’s a beautiful thing what you’re doing.

Smitty:  Before you go, talk to me about the weekly radio show you’re doing.

NB:  Yes, I am hosting a weekly radio show. It’s for the Smooth Jazz Network, Broadcast Architecture.  It’s a syndicated show and I’m in 10 markets so far and doing really good.

Smitty:  What time are you on the air?

NB: It’s from two to seven on Saturday and Sundays.

Smitty:  All right.  Talk about what that’s like for you, you know, getting behind the mike and doing your thing.

NB:  I started doing it in January and it’s really grown for me.  At first it was a bit stiff.  You know, I’m reading a script and I didn’t have my person there live, I didn’t see who I was talking to, so it took me a minute to learn how to just get all of that energy through just my voice. That was the big challenge for me.  Now I’m much more comfortable and I feel more like myself doing it, so I’m enjoying it, I’m having a great time.

Smitty:  Cool.  Now you know what I go through.  (Laughs.)

NB:  Oh my goodness.  You guys are bad.  (Both laugh.)

Smitty:  Oh, man, well, that is cool, man.  Congratulations! Now you’re just really into the music, you know?

NB:  I am so musical, man, I can’t get away from it.  Anything I can get.  I was like this in high school.  I made sports teams and stuff but I didn’t have time because I took every music class and was in every type of band I could be in.  (Laughs.)

Smitty:  Well, that’s very cool, man.  Now, is there a Web site for the radio show?

NB:  Well, no, just my Web site and I’m gonna put a link up.  Some of the stations have links on their sites where you can log on and listen through their station live, so I’m gonna throw that up on my Web site so people can go and listen to it from wherever they are.

Smitty:  Okay, cool, and your site is www.normanbrown.com.

NB:  www.normanbrown.com, that’s right.

Smitty:  All right. We want everybody there to feel the Norman Brown groove on the radio now, man.

NB:  Gotta keep it going.

Smitty:  All right, my friend.  We’ve been talking with Peak Records recording artists the extraordinary Mr. Norman Brown, his mind-blowin’ new record is called Stay With Me. It’s in stores June 19 and it is his best album to date. Norman, thanks again, man, keep your flavor strong, brotha, and best of everything in 2007.

NB:  Thank you so much for the love, brotha, and thank you to your fans for all their wonderful love. I love you guys, I look forward to seeing you when I get close to ya.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.normanbrown.com and www.peakrecords.com