Christopher Loudon of Jazz Times noted "This new solo effort from Earth, Wind and Fire’s estimable frontman should really be called Soul on the Periphery of Jazz. Like a martini so dry that the vermouth is barely detectable, Bailey’s latest is pure soul infused with just a hint of jazz." Loudon added "Reinterpreting jazz treasures both familiar and lesser-known, he moves from triumph to triumph."^[2] Ed Hogan of Allmusic gave a 3 out of 5 star rating and wrote "More jazz-oriented than Dreams, Soul on Jazz benefits from the sharing of production chores with Myron McKinley, Bob Belden, and Scott Kinsey. The album is definitely on track."^[1] The Associated Press declared "His new solo compilation, mixes two of the most creative forms of music.".."After more than 30 years, Bailey's sound is more innovative than ever."^[5]

On the album, Bailey covers Thelonious Monk's "Ruby, My Dear", Earth, Wind & Fire's "Keep Your Head to the Sky", Joe Zawinul's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", Chick Corea's Sometime Ago, Les McCann's "Compared to What" and Herbie Hancock's "Tell Me a Bedtime Story".^[8]

Musicians edit

• Philip Bailey – lead vocals, handclaps (1), timbales (3), arrangements (5, 6, 8), backing vocals (6)
• Scott Kinsey – keyboards (1, 4, 5, 9, 11), handclaps (1), arrangements (1, 5, 9, 11), orchestration (4), programming (5, 11), acoustic piano (9), electric piano (10)
• Myron McKinley – acoustic piano (2, 3, 4, 6, 7), keyboards (2, 3, 6, 7, 8), melodica (2, 6), arrangements (2, 3, 6, 7, 8)
• DJ Smash – programming (5)
• Mike Campbell – guitar (1-5, 7, 8, 9, 11) [Not the same Mike Campbell that played with Tom Petty].
• Alan Burroughs – acoustic guitar (2)
• John Hart – lead guitar (9, 11), guitar (10)
• David Dyson – bass guitar (2, 3, 6, 7)
• Ira Coleman – acoustic bass (4, 5, 8-11)
• Billy Kilson – drums
• Don Alias – congas (1-4, 8, 9, 10), percussion (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10), handclaps (1)
• Dave Love – handclaps (1)
• Daniel de los Reyes – congas (7)
• Bob Belden – soprano saxophone (1), handclaps (1), arrangements (4, 10)
• Lou Marini – alto saxophone (3, 7)
• Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone (3)
• Scott Wendholt – trumpet (1, 4)
• Billy Baker – backing vocals (1, 5)
• Charmaine Cousins – backing vocals (1, 2, 3, 5-8, 11)
• David Whitworth – backing vocals (1, 2, 5, 6, 11), BGV arrangements (3, 7, 8)
• Don Corey Washington – backing vocals (2, 3, 7, 8, 11)
• Robert Brookins – backing vocals (6)^[6]

Production edit

• Producers – Philip Bailey (all tracks); Bob Belden and Scott Kinsey (Tracks 1, 4, 5, 9, 10 & 11); Myron McKinley (Tracks 2, 3, 6, 7 & 8).
• Executive Producer – Dave Love
• Engineered and Mixed by Robert Friedrich
• Assistant Engineers – Mark Fraunfelder and Tim Stritmater
• Recorded at Bennett Studios (Englewood, NJ).
• BGV’s recorded by David Kowlaski
• Technical Engineer – Andy Ackland
• Mix Assistant – Tim Lauber
• Mixed at O’Henry Studios (Burbank, CA).
• Mastered by Louis F. Hemsey
• Art Direction and Design – Robert Hoffman
• Cover Photo – Peter Figen
• Inner Sleeve Photos – Andrew Lepley

^[6]