Uptown (Neville Brothers album)

After four commercially unsuccessful albums, the Nevilles brought in outside writers, producers, and musicians, including Jerry Garcia, Branford Marsalis.[7] The album was overseen by Jim Gaines, then best known as Huey Lewis's producer, who agreed to executive produce only if he was allowed to make a "non-traditional" New Orleans album.[7] Uptown was recorded in Metairie, Louisiana.[8]

"Midnight Key" was cowritten by Jimmy Buffett.[9] Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley also contributed to the album.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[10]
Robert Christgau	B+[11]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[12]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide	[1]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[13]
Windsor Star	B+[9]

Spin wrote: "By stripping them of all but the most subtle New Orleansisms, the Nevilles sound like Journey. Or Rick Springfield. Or instant mashed potatoes."[4] Robert Christgau thought that "between adult themes, solidly insinuating tunes, uncommonly grizzled vocals, and faint indigenous lilt, what we have here is a pretty damn good [Contemporary Hit Radio] album."[11]

The Globe and Mail considered that "the long-term pleasures come from Art Neville's rock steady keyboards and growling voice."[14] USA Today thought that "the undistinquished playing offers little of the funky fire that has made the Nevilles New Orleans' top rhythm band."[15] The Star Tribune opined that "at best, this slick production evokes vintage Tower of Power with a Southern accent; at worst, it's as bland as the made-for-radio barroom-rock 'n' soul of Huey Lewis."[16]

AllMusic wrote that the album contains the group's "usual tight playing and exuberant collective vocals."[10] The Rolling Stone Album Guide panned the use of "sequencers and electronic percussion."[13]

• Aaron Neville — vocals
• Cyril Neville — vocals, percussion
• Charles Neville — saxophone
• Art Neville — keyboards, vocals
• Brian Stoltz — guitar; piano on "Shek-A-Na-Na"
• Daryl Johnson — bass, backing vocals; synthesizer on "Whatever It Takes"
• Willie Green — drums

Additional musicians

• Branford Marsalis — saxophone on "Drift Away", "I Never Needed No One", "Midnight Key" and "Spirits of the World"
• Ronnie Montrose — guitar on "Whatever It Takes"
• Carlos Santana — guitar on "Forever... For Tonight"
• Jerry Garcia — guitar on "You're the One"
• Richie Zito — guitar on "Spirits of the World"
• Keith Richards — rhythm guitar on "Midnight Key"
• Clem Clempson — sitar on "Old Habits Die Hard"
• Cory Lerios — keyboards on "Forever... For Tonight", "You're the One" and "Money Back Guarantee (My Love Is Guaranteed)"
• Eric Kolb — keyboards
• Steve Nieve — keyboards on "Old Habits Die Hard"
• Luis Jardim — percussion on "Shek-A-Na-Na"