Press Play [PA] (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Kristal "Tytewriter" Oliver, Iyanna Dean, Shay Winans, Jack Knight (vocals, background vocals); Christina Aguilera, D. Woods, Sarah Rosete, Mika Lett, Precious Harrison, Mike Winans, Betty Wright, Angela Hunte, Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, Mabvuto Carpenter, Nicole Scherzinger, Brandy, Cheri Dennis (vocals); Charile "CSUN" Bereal (guitar); Ms. Mia (harp); Emilio Castillo, David Woodford (tenor saxophone); Stephen "Doc" Kupka (baritone saxophone); Mike Bogart (trumpet, trombone); Adolfo Acosta (trumpet); Rob Lewis (Fender Rhodes piano); Arden Keys, will.i.am, Ervin Pope (keyboards); Brian Frazier Moore, Chally Dogg, John Blackwell (drums); Stacey Lamont Sydnor (percussion); Katrinia Carson (background vocals); Mario Winans (keyboards, drums).

Audio Mixers: Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica; Victor Abijaudi; .....The Chairman Of The Boards Duro; Giz; Duroceo; Duro; Ken Ifill; Mike Patterson; Patrick Viala; Peter Mokran.

Recording information: Baseline Recording Studios II, New York, NY; Bass Clef Studios, New York, NY; Battery Studios, New York, NY; Boom Boom Recording Studio, CA; Boom Boom Room Recording Studio, CA; Chalice Recording Studios, CA; Chalice Studios, CA; Chicago Recording Company, IL; Crescent Moon Studios, FL; Daddy's House Recording Studios, New York, NY; Darp Studios, GA; Encore Studios, CA; Hit Factory Criteria, Miami, FL; Paramount Recording Studios, CA; Record Paramount Studios, CA; Record Plant, CA; Right Tracks Studios, New York, NY; Showtime Studios, IL; Shut Em Down Studios, NJ; South Beach Studios, FL; Stankonia Recording, Atlanta, GA; the Compound.

Photographer: Eric Ogden.

Arrangers: Rob Lewis; Ethan Farmer.

As a rapper, producer, record company owner, and general hip-hop mogul, Sean Combs undoubtedly has the Midas touch. Each of his projects turns to gold, whether he's producing hits for the likes of Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey, launching successful albums by the Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans, or creating his own pop-ready output. By 2006, Combs (whose professional name changed from Puff Daddy, to P. Diddy, to Diddy) was such an omnipotent force in the world of hip-hop that it's no surprise PRESS PLAY overflows with blockbuster status and has music's biggest superstars all over the guest list.

Combs's sample-reliant tracks have always been given to familiar, radio-ready hooks rather than sonic innovation, and it's in this area that he finally delivers by recruiting the hottest producers in the game for PRESS PLAY. Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Will I. Am, and Just Blaze, among others, give the album a decidedly contemporary feel by contributing dense, layered, gorgeous tracks that challenge without sacrificing Diddy's pop appeal. Also, the artist's rhymes, while serviceable, have never been top-notch, but he overcomes that shortcoming, too, by inviting an A-list of rappers and singers, including Nas, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Keisha Cole, Outkast's Big Boi, and others. The album is a glittering, glamorous listen, destined for major club and radio play. PRESS PLAY reveals Combs's true talent, which is not for showcasing his own abilities, but for creating seismic hip-hop events. minimize