Despite a couple of unsure moments, Ali's debut album Crucial is an impressive effort from a contemporary soul singer determined to keep the spirit of classic soul alive. Throughout Crucial, Ali demonstrates an understanding of classic Al Green and Sam Cooke, but he's sensible enough to keep the beats fresh and funky, so it will appeal to a post-new jack generation. Even if he isn't able to pull off a completely successful record, the album remains an impressive debut, with the best moments, such as the single "Love Letters," proving that Ali is a fine, nuanced vocalist and a promising songwriter. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
All Music Guide Review
Crucial Track Listing
Credits of Crucial
- Joe Mardin
- Conductor, String Arrangements
- Jay Mark
- Engineer, Mixing
- Audrey Martells
- Vocals (Background)
- Rob Mathes
- Arranger
- Leslie Ming
- Drums
- Peter Moshay
- Engineer
- Sandra Park
- Strings, Violin
- Herb Powers
- Mastering
- Salaam Remi
- Producer, Vocal Arrangement
- Troy Taylor
- Vocals (Background), Producer
- Richard Travali
- Engineer, Mixing
- Isaac Vere
- Guitar
- Tracy Wormworth
- Bass
- Tim Conklin
- Assistant Engineer
- Gary Noble
- Engineer
- Rawle Gittens
- Mixing Assistant
- MACK Ninety Six
- Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Engineer
- Jim Caruana
- Assistant Engineer, Mixing Assistant
- Dexter Simmons
- Keyboards, Engineer, Producer, Mixing
- Jac Colman
- Production Coordination
- Teddy Kumpel
- Guitar
- Alan J. Stepansky
- Cello
- Judy Troilo
- Art Direction
- Ellen Von Unwerth
- Photography
- Zach Wind
- Assistant Engineer
- Dan Yashiz
- Mixing Assistant
- Latasha Spencer
- Vocals (Background)
- Ali
- Vocals, Main Performer, Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer
- Alison Riley
- Art Direction, Design
- DeLouie Avante, Jr.
- Vocals (Background)
- James Murray
- Mixing Assistant
- Leslie Lemon
- Bass
- Jamie Campbell
- Assistant Engineer
- Jason Dyer
- Assistant
- Sharon Yamada
- Violin
- The Characters
- Arranger, Vocal Arrangement, Producer
- Wayne Hector
- Vocals (Background), Vocal Arrangement
- T-Bone Wolk
- Guitar (Acoustic)
- Paul Shapiro
- Flute, Sax (Tenor)
- Chipman
- Assistant Engineer
- Charlie Martinez
- Assistant Engineer
- Colin Barlow
- Executive Producer
- Jackie Davidson
- Executive Producer
- The Family Stand
- Producer
- Edison Electric Band
- Producer
- Alan Ross
- Guitar
- Jacci McGhee
- Vocals (Background)
- Bob Brockman
- Trumpet, Keyboards, Producer, Engineer
- Earl Cohen
- Engineer
- Charles Farrar
- Producer
- Graham Hawthorne
- Percussion, Drums
- Hiriam Hicks
- Executive Producer
- Dan Levine
- Trombone
- Peter Lord
- Keyboards











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