Drummer Poogie Bell, who is the first choice percussionist in the bands of Marcus Miller and Erykah Badu, returns with a set that includes ingredients of funk and soul, blues and pop, all combined with the spirit of jazz.

'Suga Top' is the slang name for the district in Pittsburgh where Bell grew up listening to gospel and soul. This is also the background of most of the participating musicians - keyboard player Bobby Sparks, saxophonists Chris Hemmingway and Keith Anderson, and the acclaimed Jazz trumpeter Michael "Patches" Stewart - which makes a major contribution towards the authentic atmosphere of 'Suga Top'.

Over the course of a long career as side man Poogie Bell has worked with Tom Browne, Chaka Khan, David Sanborn and with eminent African musicians including Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Angélique Kidjo. These experiences have brought him, as an Afro-American musician, even closer to the polyrhythms of Africa.

Personnel: Poogie Bell (drums, drum programming, vocals, keyboards), Bobby Sparks (keyboards), Chris Hemmingway, Keith Anderson (saxophones), Michael "Patches" Stewart (trumpet), Claude Flowers (bass, keyboards), Brett Williams (keyboards) and others