by Ed Hogan
Singer/songwriter Brenda Russell was teamed with mega-producer Narada Michael Walden (Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin) on Kiss Me With Wind, a nice fusion of the two talented artists' skills. The propulsive title track combines elements of dance-pop and house music. The whimsical, pulsating "Dinner With Gershwin" is one of the singer's best tracks, and Russell gives one of her most fluid performances; Donna Summer's cover of the song was a Top Ten R&B hit. Furthermore, "Stop Running Away" broke into the R&B Top 40. Russell co-produces a few tracks with Andre Fischer: "Stupid Love," "Night Train to Leningrad," with its great image-filled lyrics, and the dreamy "Waiting for You," with its lightly sprinkled acoustic guitar by Earl Klugh. Co-written by Matthew Wilder, "Justice in Truth" asks a gentle plea for equality as it ebbs and flows along atop swelling synth string pads. The inspiring, gospel-like "On Your Side" features Toto drummer Jeff Porcano and Yellowjackets members Russell Ferrante and Jimmy Haslip.