COME ON UP is Culbertson's seventh album, and for this outing, he goes for a funkier sound that harkens back to a childhood spent cutting his teeth on the sounds of early Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Tower of Power. Meticulously crafted and masterfully produced, he showcases his remarkable talent and extends his creative reach to Stephen Lu (Brandy, Ray J) in production duties, as well as many co-writers and guest artists. Weaving an R&B-flavored thread throughout these dozen songs, Culbertson cuts loose with a few special guests including saxophonist Steve Cole, (the brassy "Say What?"), trumpeter Rick Braun (a sultry "Last Night"), guitarist Norman Brown (the crackling "Come On Up"), and R&B vocalist Rahsaan Patterson (the soulful "Fly High"). The centerpiece of this album turns out to be a sinewy instrumental reading of the Earth, Wind & Fire nugget "Serpentine Fire." 

© 2003 Warner Bros. Records