"Our Own Way" is Vol.I of a trilogy featuring an array of world class players joining Paul who is playing various basses, and Sheila covering the percussion/drum chair (no additional drummer) while simultaneously singing. No overdubbing was done on any of these recordings. Features: --the first domestic release of the authorized lyric version of John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice" entitled "Without a Moment's Notice." This has been recorded by Michelle Coltrane, John's daughter, and released in Europe. --the first release of the authorized new lyric version of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" entitled "In Your Own Way." This has only been heard by the recipients of promotional hand-outs of this C.D. --Adam Levy, guitarist supreme, presently with Nora Jones and also on the editorial staff of Guitar Player Magazine. Adam can be heard in a trio rendition of the standard "All or Nothing at All" and on a Sheila Smith and Bernal Villalobos original "No" in the Afro-Cuban vein with lyrics by Costa Rican poet Bernal Villalobos. --Mark Levine, grammy-nominated pianist for his Latin Jazz release "Isla". Sheila played timbales in one of Mark's first latin jazz groups in Boston where they both began their careers. Mark is featured on the above-mentioned "Without a Moment's Notice" and "In Your Own Way." He can also be heard on "Make Mine Blue" written by the revered Brazilian composer Moacir Santos. Mark and Sheila played on Moacir's first U.S. recording "Maestro" on Blue Note Records. Sheila also recently recorded on Moacir's most recent C.D. "Ouro Negro", a compilation of Moacir's songs, and recorded in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2001 and recently released in the U.S. and Japan. --"The Wonder of Life" features Ary Piassarollo, one of the most wonderfully-gifted Brazilian guitarists, who recorded with Elis Regina in the 1970's, and played with Sheila and Paul in Rio in 1973. Sheila wrote the tune for Stevie Wonder, with whom she recorded on the "Talking Book" and "Innervisions" albums (the latter of which earned a Grammy) playing latin percussion. Paul wrote the lyrics years later for this recording with Ary. Vols. II and III which are to follow will be released here on C.D. Baby in 2005 as well as a standards album "Chestnuts" for which a drummer was added. You can e-mail Paul and Sheila Smith at: shalamusic@alamedanet.net.