The Very Best of Macy Gray (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Macy Gray (background vocals); Macy Gray (vocals); Erykah Badu (vocals, background vocals); Mos Def (rap vocals); Jinsoo Lim, Arik Marshall (guitar); Daryle Swann (acoustic guitar, programming); Lili Haydn (strings); Tim Izo Orindgreff (saxophone, background vocals); Printz Board (trumpet, background vocals); Darren Johnson (Fender Rhodes piano); Jeremy Ruzumna (organ, synthesizer, Moog synthesizer); Keith Ciancia (Farfisa, keyboards); Mike Elizondo, David Wilder (bass instrument); Isaih Avila (drums); Marina Bambino, Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Ahmir Khalib Thompson (percussion); Ericka Yancey, Latina Webb, Dawn Beckman, Lejon Walker, Stephanie Alexander, Sy Smith (background vocals); John Frusciante (guitar); Steve Baxter (trombone, background vocals); Zac Rae (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, chamberlin); Billy Preston (organ); Victor Indrizzo (drums).

Audio Mixers: Dave Pensado; Dave Way; Eddie Sancho ; Simon Thornton; Daz-I-Kue.

Audio Remixers: Norman Cook; Bugz in the Attic.

Recording information: Ameraycan Recording Studios; Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL; Capitol Recording Studios, LA; Conway Studios, LA; D&D Studios, New York, NY; Enterprise Studios, Buebank; HMS House; O'Henry Sound STudios; Paramount Studios, Hollywood, CA; Record Plant Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Remote Recording Services, Philadelphia, PA; RemoteRecording Services, Philly, PA; Royaltone Studios, CA; The Farm, Dublin, Ireland; The Studio, Philadelphia, PA; Way Station Studios.

Photographer: James Dimmock.

Arrangers: Damon Elliott; Josh Rabinowitz.

Macy Gray catapulted into the limelight around the beginning of 2000 with the unusual, but certainly captivating, single "I Try," leading to critical acclaim and multiple Grammy nominations for her debut record. While "unique" is a word too often used to describe R&B vocals, Gray's raspy, dramatic singing style and coy, lilting inflections are truly unlike any other (Kelis may be the only performer even in her neighborhood). Gray's originality carries over to her songwriting, which is peppered with angular sonic phrases intermingled with acute observations on life, love, and society. "Do Something," which seamlessly interpolates about four different musical themes into an enrapturing message-oriented song, is a prime example.

Over three albums, Gray gained a sizeable following, while scoring periodic hits. Only five years after her debut, she captured enough fancies to earn a best-of collection. THE VERY BEST OF MACY GRAY gathers her finest moments from these records (including the smooth "Sweet Baby" and the hip-hop flecked "It Ain't the Money"), along with two new songs, most notably an exceptional revision of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way," and three inventive remixes, including a deft Gang Starr take on "I've Committed Murder." minimize