Braxton wrote or collaborated on six of the eleven tracks for Imagine This, including the very pretty and easygoing title track, which features Kirk Whalum playing tenor sax. Whalum and Braxton create a pillowy ambience built upon some strong bass playing by Braylon Lacy.
Kevin Whalum teams up this time with Selinza Mitchell to provide some subdued but ethereal vocals on “Kaanapali Beach.” Mitchell appears again on “1 a.m.” Daran DeShazo serves up some great Latin infused guitar riffs, while the horns are everywhere on this song. Braxton put together some super arrangements for Larry Spencer’s trumpet, Pete Branham (tenor sax), and Braxton’s own tenor and soprano saxes.
R&B is the order of the day with “Haven’t You Heard,” and this time it is vocalist Andrea Wallace’s turn to shine, turning in a beautiful high soprano effort, bordering on a falsetto. The song moves quickly but lightly, without being hindered by heavy beats.
By the time I got to the seventh track, “Evening Drive,” I began asking myself if there is any instrument that Tom Braxton cannot play. Up to this point on the CD, he had already played two different saxophones, the piano and keyboards. On “Evening Drive,” he plays the flute as well as the aforementioned instruments. Braxton uses his keyboard to create an ethereal vibes-like effect.
“Downtime,” “Rest Assured,” and “Revelation” are other great tunes to listen for on Tom Braxton’s Imagine This. All I have to say about this CD in closing Imagine a booklet of songs as good as This.