Wayman Tisdale’s upbeat, positive personality displaces as much space in a room as the former NBA star himself does.  The man lights up a room.  The same can be said for his music, and his latest release, Way Up! is no exception.  This 11-track affirmation of life features guest artists Dave Koz, Eric Benet, George Duke, Bob James, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler and Jeff Lorber.

Opening the CD is the first single from the album, “Let’s Do It Again,” setting the pace for this 51-minute musical celebration of life.  Following that is Tisdale’s fun and funky take on the classic “Get Down On It.”  Tisdale slows things down a bit with the tender ballad, “Shape of Your Heart,” featuring Jeff Lorber.  Bob James lends considerable talents on the light-hearted, in–the-groove “Conversation Piece.” Sliding further into the groove, saxman Kirk Whalum puts his touch on the soulful, “If You Want Me To Stay.”  Eric Benet takes the vocals on the R&B ballad “Sweet Dreams.” 

Picking the pace back up again is “It’s A Good Day” – classic Tisdale joined again by Jeff Lorber and saxman Tom Braxton.  On “Tell It Like It TIS” George Duke is in the house, and it just doesn’t get much funkier than this.  This track is worth the cost of the CD.  Slowing things back down is the very tender “My Son” – written for Tisdale’s son, featuring a warm and playful conversation between father and son and the warm and playful sound of Dave Koz’s signature soprano sax.  Tisdale takes center stage again with the upbeat and in-the-groove title track.  “Sunday’s Best” closes out the album with a full-out gospel jam between Tisdale, Jonathan Butler and Kirk Whalum. 

If you want a CD you can pop in your player that is guaranteed to make you feel better, this is it.  It will lift your spirits Way Up!

- Elizabeth Ware