Set the Night to Music (album) explained

Set the Night to Music is a studio album released by American singer Roberta Flack, released by Atlantic Records on September 17, 1991 in the United States.

Promotion

The title track from Set the Night to Music, written by Diane Warren and originally the 11th track of Starship's 1987 album No Protection, was remade as a duet with Maxi Priest. Released as the album's lead single, it reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart.^[1] In Canada, "Set the Night to Music" peaked at number nine on the pop singles chart and number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.^[2] It became the 17th biggest Canadian Adult Contemporary hit of 1991.^[3]

Critical reception

Rob Theakston of AllMusic gave Set the Night to Music a three out of five stars rating. Theakston said, "By the '90s, Roberta Flack had completely immersed herself in the adult contemporary portion of the radio world, and this 1991 album is concrete proof of that. Largely based on collaborations with fellow adult radio singer Maxi Priest, Set the Night to Music is an odd assortment of standards with a few new compositions thrown in here and there for good measure [...]The production values and choice of instrumentation give this album a slightly dated feel, with a greater emphasis placed on polished synthesizers over the warm tones of a Fender Rhodes or grand piano, but all in all it's a strong album that presents Flack's classy, distinct vocal styling in a palatable fashion."

Track listing

All tracks poduced by Arif Mardin.

Personnel

Performers and musicians

• Roberta Flack – lead vocals, main backing vocals (1), arrangements (11)
• Steve Skinner – keyboards (1, 4), programming (1, 4), arrangements (1, 4), additional keyboards (8), drum programming (8)
• John Mahoney – Synclavier programming (1)
• Joe Mardin – additional keyboards (1, 4, 10, 11), additional programming (1, 4), keyboards (3, 7, 9), programming (3, 7, 9, 10), synth bass (3, 9), arrangements (3, 7, 10), string arrangements and conductor (7), keyboard solo (10), drum programming (11)
• Robbie Kondor – keyboards (2, 6, 11), programming (2, 6, 11), arrangements (2), additional arrangements (11)
• Robbie Buchanan – acoustic piano (3)
• David LeBolt – keyboards (5), programming (5), arrangements (5)
• Reggie Griffin – keyboards (8), programming (8), drum programming (8), backing vocals (8, 9), arrangements (8)
• Keith Barnhart – additional keyboards (9), additional programming (9)
• Greg Phillinganes – main keyboards (9), keyboards (10)
• Michael O'Reilly – guitar (4)
• Sammy Merendino – drum programming (1, 2)
• Errol "Crusher" Bennett – percussion (2)
• Andy Snitzer – alto saxophone (4), tenor saxophone (6, 9)
• Rob Paparozzi – harmonica (6)
• Arif Mardin – arrangements (1, 4, 6, 8, 9), string arrangements and conductor (2, 6, 9), vocal arrangements (8, 9)
• Shelton Becton – additional arrangements (8)
• Barry Miles – additional arrangements (11)
• Gene Orloff – concertmaster (2, 6, 7, 9)
• Jerry Barnes – backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10), vocal arrangements (8), arrangements (10), bass (10)
• Katreese Barnes – backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10), soprano saxophone (4), alto saxophone (8), vocal arrangements (8)
• Quincy Jones – rap (1)
• Maxi Priest – lead vocals (2)
• Mark Stevens – backing vocals (3, 5, 8), lead vocals (6)
• Tawatha Agee – backing vocals (4, 5, 7)
• Rachele Cappelli – backing vocals (4, 5, 6, 9)
• Fonzi Thornton – backing vocals (4, 5)
• Patti Austin – backing vocals (6)
• Lani Groves – backing vocals (6, 7)
• Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals (9)

Technical

• Arif Mardin – producer
• Joe Mardin – co-producer (3, 7)
• Michael O'Reilly – recording, mixing
• Jack Joseph Puig – additional recording
• David Richards – additional recording
• Bruce Buchanan – assistant engineer
• Bruce Calder – assistant engineer
• Steven Deur – assistant engineer
• Suzanne Dyer – assistant engineer
• Steve Holroyd – assistant engineer
• Jeff Lippay – assistant engineer
• Brian Pollack – assistant engineer
• Ken Quartarone – assistant engineer
• Jay Ryan – assistant engineer
• David Schiffman – assistant engineer
• Arthur Steuer – assistant engineer
• George Marino – mastering
• Suzane Koga – production coordination
• Lisa Maldonado – production coordination
• Bob Defrin – art direction
• Thomas Bricker – design
• Bridgette Lancome – photography

Studios

• Recorded at Atlantic Studios, Unique Recording Studios, The Hit Factory, RPM Studios, Soundtrack Studios and Skyline Studios (New York City, New York); Ocean Way Recording (Hollywood, California).
• Mixed at Right Track Recording (New York City, New York).
• Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York).

Notes and References

1. allmusic > Set the Night to Music > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles
2. Web site: Image : RPM Weekly. Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013.
3. Web site: Image : RPM Weekly. Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013.