Russ Taff (album)

Russ Taff is the third album by Christian singer/songwriter Russ Taff, released in late 1987 on Myrrh/Word Records. Taff covers two songs: "Down in the Lowlands" by Charlie Peacock and "I Still Believe" by the Call, plus a 40-second snippet of the American negro spiritual "Steal Away". Taff also records "Breathe Life into Me", which would later be a UK Top 30 hit and US R&B hit in 1988–1989 by British singer Mica Paris. Russ Taff reached number two on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. The album won a GMA Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 20th GMA Dove Awards and earned Taff a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards.

Personnel

 * Russ Taff – lead vocals, backing vocals (3, 8, 11)
 * Robbie Buchanan – synthesizers (1-6, 8-11), acoustic piano (2, 3, 5, 11), Hammond B3 organ (3, 11), PPG bass (5)
 * Greg Husted – Hammond B3 organ (1, 6)
 * Eric Persing – synthesizer programming (2)
 * Alan Pasqua – synthesizers (3, 4, 6)
 * James Hollihan – guitars (1, 3-6, 8-11), slide guitar solo (5), acoustic slide guitar (7), acoustic piano (8), guitar solo (9-11), acoustic guitar (11)
 * Lynn Nichols – acoustic guitar (1)
 * Dave Perkins – acoustic guitar (1), guitars (1, 2, 6), guitar solo (1), backing vocals (2, 11), additional synthesizers (2)
 * Dann Huff – guitars (2-5, 9, 10)
 * Neil Stubenhaus – bass (1, 2, 6, 9)
 * Mike Brignardello – bass (3, 11)
 * Nathan East – bass (4, 10)
 * Jackie Street – bass (8)
 * Mel Watts – drums (1, 6, 8)
 * Scott Musick – drums (2, 9)
 * Paul Leim – drums (3-5, 10, 11)
 * Lenny Castro – percussion (1, 4, 5, 8, 11)
 * Koji Egawa – door percussion (4)
 * Joe Porcaro – timpani (5)
 * Jeff Porcaro – hi-hat (6)
 * Mark Douthit – sax solo (3), soprano saxophone (4), saxophone (8, 9)
 * Clarice Devisschu – backing vocals (4)
 * Vince Ebo – backing vocals (4, 9)
 * Charlie Peacock – backing vocals (4, 9)
 * Rebecca Sparks – backing vocals (4)
 * Jack Joseph Puig – ethnic vocals (4)
 * Mark Williamson – backing vocals (6, 8, 10)
 * Annie Stocking – backing vocals (9)

The 'Boys Choir' on This Love is Strong"
 * James Hollihan, Lynn Nichols, Greg Sparks, Russ Taff, Steve Taylor and Mark Williamson

Chant on "(Living on the) Edge of Time"
 * James Hollihan, Lynn Nichols, Dave Perkins, Jack Joseph Puig and Russ Taff

Production

 * Lynn Nichols – executive producer, cover design concept
 * Jack Joseph Puig – producer, recording, mixing
 * Steve Ford – assistant engineer
 * Koji Egawa – assistant engineer
 * Wade Jaynes – assistant engineer
 * Julie Last – assistant engineer
 * Bert Stevens – assistant engineer
 * Billy Whittington – assistant engineer
 * Steve Hazelton – technical assistance
 * Mike Wambsgans – technical assistance
 * Doug Sax – mastering at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California)
 * Joan Tankersley – art direction, cover design concept, logo design
 * Patrick Pollei – logo design
 * Phillip Dixon – photography
 * Zack Glickman – management

Accolades
GMA Dove Awards