Urban Renewal 

TRACKS

Executive Producers: Rich Christina and Michelle de Vries

For more visit the Urban Renewal web site

I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THIS PROJECT about three years ago, so it's not a self perpetuated ".....A Tribute to me" record! As I understand it, the publishers of my songs were getting, and had been getting for a long time, requests from many urban R & B singers to cover my songs. Songs like In The Air Tonight and Another Day In Paradise were top of the list of "sampled" songs and treatments.

It seems that from those requests for permission to change, alter, adapt or almost re-write my songs, an idea came to someone some-where, that perhaps, contrary to critical opinion I may be hipper than previously suspected!!

After same digging it was dis-covered that thankfully, music knows no boundaries. Music is music. Good or bad to almost quote Duke Ellington.

What you hear on this CD is the result of that initial idea.

I heard it for the first time when it was finished and although I had no input on choice of singers, songs, arrangements or production I am deeply flattered that these songs have transcended and crossed barriers that some assume are there not to be messed with.

One thing that hit me on listening to these versions, was that, R & B can still boast of some fantastic singers and producers. Another thing was the choice of material. Some songs are expected choices, but there are also some dark horses like the relatively unheard Can't Turn Back The Years which is one of my favourite songs. Most have been completely taken apart and successfully re-thought like I Don' t Care Anymore, Easy Lover or Something Happened On The Way To Heaven.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll make up your own mind about whether it was worth all the effort everyone put into it. I understand that several people put an awful lot of hours into making this happen especially Michelle de Vries whose original idea it was and she in par-ticular deserves a special thanks, but thanks to all of you. Me? I'm just pleased that someone's been listening!

Phil Collins
Februray 2001