5 (180 Gram Vinyl) (2 Lp's)

This version of 5 replaces the previous version and contains two bonus tracks. Personnel: Lenny Kravitz (vocals, acoustic & ecectric guitars, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, Mellotron, Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizers, Mini-Moog synthesizer, Moog bass, bass, drums, percussion, congas, hand claps, drum programming); Craig Ross (guitar, slide guitar, Mini-Moog synthesizer); Harold Todd (saxophone); Michael Hunter (trumpet); George Laks (Clavinet, Mini-Moog synthesizer); Alex Alvarez (Moog synthesizer); Terry Manning (toy piano); Jack Daley (bass); Cindy Blackman (drums); Stephen Dorff, Nehemiah Heild, Sunovia Piere, Natalie Dekoning, Angie Stone, Stefanie Bolton, Tenita Drehe, Susan Marshall, Jacquie Johnson (background vocals). "Fly Away" won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. On 5, Lenny Kravitz continues to push the envelope of creativity. Defying the traditional genre categories of pop, rock, soul and alternative, 5 provides the listener with Kravitz's most far-reaching creation to date. Hip-Hop drum loops, Electronica textures and vintage Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3 organ and Moog keyboard sounds interact throughout the disc, solidly backed by Kravitz's trademark guitar sound. As usual, Lenny plays most of the instruments on the album, from drums to bass. Delivering the goods as a songwriter and musician, Kravitz is truly a mega-talent. As his influences range from Led Zeppelin to Parliament, Kravitz can combine classic songwriting with '90s sampled-based vibes. 5 is filled with standard Kravitz-type, beautifully sung, well-crafted songs such as "If You Can't Say No", "Thinking of You" and "Can We Find a Reason." Although Kravitz hasn't yet fully reached the vast commercial potential of his talent, 5 will appeal to music buyers from vastly different categories.