It has been my pleasure and honor to be involved with American Vybe since its inception in 1998. From the beginning, the musical style of the group was intended to pay homage to the vast diversity of American music, with a special emphasis on rhythm & blues, jazz, swing, and gospel. The talented members of American Vybe have brought this musical vision to life. There is an unceasing vitality to their performances, whether the songs speak of deep sorrow or boundless jubilation. You can feel in every note the overwhelming sense of joy these performers bring to this music. It is truly a remarkable experience to witness a live performance of American Vybe, and it is my hope that this album has captured the musical and emotional thrill of those performances. All of the sounds on this album were created, as they are in live performance, by the singers and acoustic bass player, without the use of any other acoustic or electronic musical instruments. Enjoy!

-- Ted Ricketts, album producer