Former athlete hits right notes

Wayman Tisdale
Decisions

When one speaks of Wayman Tisdale, jazz bassist may not be the first image that immediately comes to mind. However, the six-foot-nine former NBA forward for the Sacramento Kings has shown that sports stars can indeed make quality music.

With Decisions, his first album since the conclusion of his 12-year pro basketball career, Tisdale has emerged as a fresh new talent on the smooth jazz scene.

Tisdale first exposed his musical talent on the Power Forward album. Decisions is a work that reflects Tisdale's effort to further define and expand his musical voice. Standing apart from the more urban approach of his earlier works, this softer, smoother album shows that he is at home in any number of musical styles.

On Decisions, Tisdale has teamed up with such respected jazz names as Brian Culbertson [keyboards], Marcus Miller [bass], Gerald Albright [sax], Marc Antoine [guitar], Norman Brown [guitar], Lenny Castro [drums] and Everett Harp [sax]-along with several members of his own 5th Quarter Band.

Tisdale and company glide from smooth street jazz to more urban-adult contemporary ballads in an album that is as expansive as it is expressive. "African Prince" takes us overseas with a rich world sound, "Louis" takes us to Tisdale's gospel roots, while "Ready or Not" shows that Wayman can still slam.

"My Only," a collaboration with acclaimed vocalist Lalah Hathaway, shows the depth of Tisdale's musical vocabulary and truly demonstrates the development of this surprisingly talented aspiring songwriter and producer.

Smooth Jazz is a genre that many young people may feel to be too "adult " or "easy listening" to be compelling. Turn the lights low, spark up some incense, lie down in your bed on a lazy Sunday afternoon and let Decisions persuade you otherwise.