The release of “XX” caps a remarkably prolific fourteen months for Culbertson, who released three very different albums and a Blu-Ray concert video during the span. The collection closes with “Looking Back,” which starts out with a poignant jazz-oriented solo piano intro with lots of deep chord changes before breaking into a neo-soul groove that Stewart’s muted trumpet illumines. Other standout numbers are the sensual “It’s A Love Thing,” which has a mesmerizing Zen vibe the poppy “Time Flies” that takes flight via its blossoming chorus and Haley’s layered angelic ahhh’s “Sexy Love” on which Culbertson sings on the chorus and a reunion with R&B crooner Gourdin on the old-school soul ballad “The Truth” (Culbertson and Gourdin scored a hit with “You’re My Music” from Culbertson’s “ Dreams” album). One of the album’s centerpiece tracks is “More Than Thankful,” a big-scale production on which Sunshine shines and the gospel choir graces. Something different on “XX” is that two songs – “The Hangout” and “Keep Movin’”- were conceived during soundcheck while Culbertson was on tour with his band. He liked the track that Chance Howard and I started and two days later, he sent me his vocal parts.” “XX” taps into Parliament-Funkadelic influences on “Dance Like This.” Culbertson explained, “Bootsy (Collins) and I randomly do things together. In addition to playing piano, keyboards, Minimoog, Wurlitzer, Hammond B3 organ, Fender Rhodes, clavinet, bass, synth bass, drum programming, vocals, string machine, and percussion, Culbertson picks up his trombone to form a powerhouse horn section with Marqueal Jordan and Michael Stever. Vocalist Micaela Haley (aka Michelle Culbertson, Brian’s wife) and a gospel choir add celestial and soul luster to a couple tracks. Filling up the tracks is an accomplished array of musicians including Paul Jackson Jr., Nicholas Cole, Ricky Peterson, Alex Al, Michael Thompson, Khari Parker, Lenny Castro, Gerey Johnson, Eric Marienthal, Chance Howard, Ouiwey Collins, Candice Cheatham and Derek “D.O.A.” Allen.

Talkbox” Chambers, Noel Gourdin and Patches Stewart. Making music with Culbertson on “XX” is a prominent assortment of featured guests: Bootsy Collins, Ray Parker Jr., Avery*Sunshine, Maze’s Jubu Smith, Everette Harp, Marcus Anderson, DW3, Byron “Mr.

It takes you out of whatever place you’re in at the moment. “The fact that it’s coming out during this time when everyone is under stay at home orders, I hope it does lift people up. I deliberately set out to have no one genre or one style in mind just give people a total mix of everything that I do – funky instrumentals, jazz, R&B slow jams, gospel, pop, and straight-up funk” said Culbertson, who hopes the collection will uplift listeners during this unprecedented time of social distancing and economic uncertainty. “This album was about creating lots of different moods, which is a little different for me in terms of what I’ve done over the last several albums that were more conceptual and consistent from beginning to end – either the romantic side of things, a funk album, straight-ahead jazz trio or what not. Issued on the BCM Entertainment label, Culbertson wrote and produced “XX,” taking a fresh approach by incorporating a bit of everything he has done throughout his versatile career. 1 single Culbertson went all in on the 1980s vibes, even creating a “Get Up!” ringtone that is available for iPhones.

While The XX Tour that was to start April 1 with shows booked through June had to be pushed to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the new album’s retro-charged first single, “Get Up!” is already in the Billboard top 6, easily within striking distance of becoming the hitmaker’s 33rd No. LOS ANGELES ( 10 April 2020): Instead of being on stage in Pittsburgh this Friday night, one week into a planned 70+-date coast-to-coast concert tour set up to launch his milestone twentieth album release, the aptly titled “ XX” (Roman numerals for twenty), R&B/jazz/funk multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson will be home, marking the occasion by hanging out with a glass of wine and entertaining fans via his popular Facebook Live broadcast “ Friday Night Studio Hang” (8pm ET/5pm PT).

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