【堅實】Rex Rideout（二）

　

　Rex不間斷的顯露他製作與作曲才華，例如在Richard Elliot《Ricochet》專輯中的〈Seven Secret Pools〉、〈Sweet Memories〉和〈So Good〉；以及Paul Taylor的《Steppin' Out》專輯中的六首歌，包含了在排行榜名列前茅的〈On The Movement〉和〈Steppin' Out〉。（Rex continued to show his production and writing talent, with songs on Richard Elliot's Ricochet ("Seven Sacred Pools", "Sweet Memories" and "So Good") and on Paul Taylor's Steppin' Out (6 songs including the chart topping singles "On The Move" and "Steppin' Out").）

　

　Rex最感驕傲的是：曾在傳奇歌手Luther Vandross那張受到高度讚揚、登上「告示牌」專輯榜首位，且迅速的達到白金唱片（如今已達到雙白金）的專輯《Dance With My Father》裡，為當中的三首歌共同製作和編曲：〈Apologize〉、 〈Hit It Again （featuring Queen Latifah）〉和〈Once Were Lovers （featuring Stevie Wonder）〉。在這張值得紀念的專輯裡（譯注：Luther Vandross逝世前的最後一張錄音室作品），Rex確確實實貢獻了三首突出的歌曲。（Moreover, Rex is most proud to have co-written and arranged three songs on the highly acclaimed album Dance With My Father from the legendary Luther Vandross, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album chart and quickly reached platinum certification (now double platinum). "Apologize", "Hit It Again" featuring Queen Latifah and "Once Were Lovers" featuring Stevie Wonder are standouts on this memorable collection. ）

　

　在電影方面，動感的熱門歌曲〈Rain Down（featuring Angie Stone, The O'Jays, Montell Jordan, Melba Moore and Zane）〉，Rex名列共同創作及製作團隊，收錄於Paramount Pictures/MTV所發行的電影，由Cuba Gooding Jr.和Beyoncé Knowles主演的《The Fighting Temptations》（億萬唱詩班）。這張電影原聲帶隨後熱賣成為黃金唱片，〈Rain Down〉亦共享榮耀。（On the film side, there is the high energy hit "Rain Down" featuring Angie Stone, The O' Jays, Montell Jordan, Melba Moore and Zane, which Rex co-wrote and produced for the Paramount Pictures/MTV Films movie The Fighting Temptations starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé Knowles. "Rain Down" is also on the accompanying soundtrack, now certified gold.）

　

　最近（譯注：此篇文章寫於2004年左右），Rex的作品〈Rhythm Of U And Me〉收錄在Will Downing《Emotion》專輯中並排定在宣傳單曲之列，還有由Peter White演唱的smooth jazz冠軍曲〈Talkin Bout Love〉。另外值得一提的是：Rex替Luther Vandross製作的〈Take You Out〉，被George Benson選中翻唱；為Gerald Albright最新專輯《Kickin' It Up》量身訂作了兩首歌，包括了充滿情感的〈Condition Of My Heart〉，這首歌的賣點不單只有Albright擅長述說情愛的薩克斯風，搭配Boyz II Men的Shawn Stockman動人歌聲堪稱直指人心。（Most recently, Rex's work can be found on Will Downing's Emotions, including current single "Rhythm Of U And Me" and on #1 smooth jazz hit "Talkin' Bout Love" by Peter White. Also to Rex's credit is his production of the Luther Vandross' hit "Take You Out" performed by the renowned George Benson, as well as two songs for Gerald Albright's current set, Kickin' It Up, including the emotion filled "Condition Of My Heart" which matches Albright's caressing sax with touching vocals from Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men. ）

　

　爾後，Rex的發展只能以「持續茁壯」來形容，他偕同GRP/Verve Music Group的製作人Bud Harner，再次擔綱製作向已逝的Luther Vandross致敬專輯《Forever, For Always, For Luther》，重新詮釋了一些熱門且受到大家喜愛的歌曲，由smooth jazz名家Dave Koz、Kirk Whalum、Mindi Abair、Boney James、Lalah Hathaway和Rick Braun等共襄此舉。（譯注：2006年繼續出版的《Forever, For Always, For Luther Volume 2》，也是Bud Harner與Rex Rideout的音樂產物）不僅只紀念Luther，這系列專輯也有一個有意義的起源：捐贈部分收入給美國糖尿病協會。這些成員都被集合在紐約，以Rex為音樂導演，負責替這個活動募款，特別的是這個活動是以Patti LeBelle（譯注：Luther的多年摯友）為主要號召。該音樂會門票最終售罄，這以愛為名的專輯和Rex本人雙雙獲得葛萊美獎的提名，甚至由Lalah Hathaway和Richard Elliot所演唱的單曲也在排行榜上留下足跡。（Still going strong is a project close to Rex's heart, Forever, For Always, For Luther. Together with Bud Harner of GRP/Verve Music Group, Rex produced an entire tribute album to Luther Vandross covering hits and favorites interpreted by some of THE names in smooth jazz including Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum, Mindi Abair, Boney James, Lalah Hathaway, Rick Braun and more. While celebrating Luther, the collection also supports a worthy cause by having a portion of the proceeds donated to the American Diabetes Association. In fact, the whole cast would gather in New York where Rex would be musical director to raise money for the organization with special headliner, Patti LaBelle! The concert was a sell out. This labor of love tribute album and Rex went on to receive a Grammy Nomination and top the charts with singles from Lalah Hathaway and Richard Elliot. ）

　

　Rex最近的作品其中之一是Boney James的新專輯《Pure》，裡頭包含了〈Think About Me〉和單曲〈Better With Time （featuring Bilal）〉（該曲從成人榜受到矚目，並得到許多廣播電台的熱力放送）。（One of Rex's latest collaborations is for the new Boney James album, Pure!, including "Think About Me" and the single "Better With Time" featuring soul singer, Bilal (which rose up the Urban AC charts and receive much radio airplay). ）

　

　此外，如前所述，Rex藉著寫曲和製作電視電台廣告歌曲讓自己忙得不可開交，其中包括Bill Cosby的新製作動畫《Fatherhood》（譯注：為「Nick At Nite」電視影集系列，Will Smith飾演該常春劇男主角Nick）。緊接著完成Will Downing的聖誕專輯製作之後（譯注：《Christmas, Love and You》〔2004〕），Rex期待著來年更多教人興奮的企劃，其中有2005年K-Swiss新的活動、藉「美國偶像第三季」獲得一紙唱片合約的歌手LaToya London未來即將發行的首張專輯（譯注：《Love and Life》〔2005〕）等等。（Additionally, Rex kept more irons in the fire by writing and producing music for TV and radio commercials, including spots for the new Bill Cosby produced animated show Fatherhood on Nick At Nite. After writing and producing on a Christmas album for Will Downing, Rex looks forward to many exciting projects in the coming year, including the new 2005 K-Swiss campaign, songs for the debut album of American Idol Season 3 finalist, LaToya London, and much more to come. ）

　

　最後，與Rex始終合作的靈魂歌手Ledisi，在Verve/Universal唱片發行的專輯正在籌備中（譯注：《Lost & Found》〔2007〕），他也製作了許多歌曲給Paul Taylor在Peak唱片即將發行的專輯（譯注：《Ladies' Choice》〔2007〕）。（Rex has been working with soul artist, Ledisi, over the past year for her album coming out on Verve/Universal. He's also producing several songs for the next Paul Taylor album on Peak.）

　

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　後記：

1. 日前Rex Rideout成立了他的label「4847唱片」，並繼續致力於R&B音樂的製作。更多的資訊請參考http://www.myspace.com/rexrideoutsongs。
2. 本文翻譯感謝張琇婷小姐的鼎力相助！