by Alex Henderson
The list of jazz improvisers who appear on the Players Association's second album, Born to Dance, is impressive; tenor saxman Michael Brecker, alto saxman David Sanborn, trumpeter Jon Faddis, and guitarist Steve Khan are among the participants. And percussionist James Mtume, who has jazz credentials but is best known for producing, writing, and performing R&B, is also on board. But despite boasting an impressive lineup, Born to Dance is only a slight improvement over the Players Association's self-titled debut album. This isn't a bad album; &How Do You Like It,& &Everything's Gonna Be O.K.,& &Make It Last All Night,& and other tunes that were written or co-written by leader/drummer/arranger Chris Hills are catchy but unremarkable. The band was capable of a lot more, and it wouldn't live up to its potential until its third album, Turn the Music Up!.