On the Way to Love
On the Way to Love is a studio album by Patti Austin, released in 2001 on Warner Bros. Records. The album peaked at No. 21 on the US Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 36 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.
Critical reception
Derek Ali of the Dayton Daily News, in a B+ review noted, "Some songs neatly fit in light jazz, R&B and soft-rock categorizes, but it's difficult to pinpoint the style of singer who has performed with greats such as Dinah Washington, Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson and George Benson. Austin's happy music is suitable for a drive along an ocean shore, cookouts and intimate dinners."The Birmingham Mail exclaimed, "Patti's never made a duff record and her sublime new outing, released on her 53rd birthday, exudes class from every track."
William Ruhlmann of AllMusic, in a 3/5-star review wrote, "The songs indulge in street argot here and there, but this is an upscale effort for the most part, music for middle-aged Terry McMillan fans who aren't Waiting to Exhale anymore, but still don't want to work up a sweat. It's not bad, but Austin can do much better."
Personnel
- Patti Austin – lead vocals, backing vocals, vocals
- Bill Meyers – keyboards, bass, arrangements
- Allen Hinds – keyboards, guitars, bass
- Tim Heintz – keyboards, bass
- Roberto Vally – keyboards, bass
- Jerry Hey – additional keyboards, string arrangements and conductor, flugelhorn, additional keyboard arrangements, horn arrangements, synthesizers
- Larry Williams – additional keyboards, flute, synthesizers
- David "Kahlid" Woods – keyboards, bass, drum programming, arrangements, backing vocals
- Greg Phillinganes – Rhodes electric piano, vibraphone
- Ricky Peterson – organ
- L. Carl Burnett – guitars, keyboards, bass, drum programming, arrangements
- Mike Sims – guitars
- Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars
- Tony Maiden – guitar voice box, backing vocals
- Paul Brown – drum programming, arrangements
- Steve Dubin – drum programming, arrangements
- Lenny Castro – percussion
- Luis Conte – percussion
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion
- Boney James – saxophone
- Siedah Garrett – backing vocals
- Sue Ann Carwell – backing vocals
- James Ingram – vocals
- Andrea Martin – backing vocals
Production
- Paul Brown – producer, recording, mixing
- Steve Dubin – co-producer, recording
- David "Kahlid" Woods – co-producer
- Dave Rideau – string recording
- Bill Schnee – mixing
- Ed Cherney – mixing
- Ray Bardani – mixing
- L. Carl Burnett – recording
- Koji Egawa – mix assistant
- Ronnie Rivera – mix assistant
- Stewart Whitmore – digital editing
- Stephen Marcussen – mastering at Marcussen Mastering
- Lexy Shroyer – production coordinator
- Carol Friedman – art direction, photography
- Tina Anderson – design
- Ellen Silverstein – stylist
- Oscar James – hair stylist
- Sam Fine – make-up