Back to Business

***Back to Business*** is the fifteenth studio album by American rock band All Business, released on August 14, 2015, by Epic Records. The band's first album in 14 years and their first since the death of saxophonist "Dirty" Bo Jones, the release saw the band pursuing a new progressive rock inspired direction.

The origins of *Back to Business* date back to the September 11 attacks, which occurred a week after the release of their previous album *All Business.* In a statement, the 17 members claimed to have been inspired by the events to begin work on the album, which they stated would be their "magnum opus". Although it was alleged by lead singer Vernon O'Shaughnessy that the album was toiled with in the 14 years between its announcement and release, most of this period was occupied by a hiatus for the band. The group had largely disintegrated by their last album, with relations further straying after the release of their 2004 historical epic film Unify and its disastrous promotional tour. It would not be until the death of Bo Jones a decade later that All Business would properly regroup and begin work on *Back to Business*. Now harboring a new decades worth of "musical mastery", the band looked to create what was described as "*Back 2 Basics* for the thinking man", according to guitarist Ted Bundy. Experimenting with time signatures, song structures and heavily layered production, the album was a drastic departure from the conventional rock songs they had become known for. It was dedicated to Jones.

*Back to Business* was supported by the lead single "Opulence", which failed to chart in any country. The album as a whole didn't fare much better upon release, receiving a lukewarm response from critics and audiences alike. It failed to reach the top 5 of the US *Billboard* 200 chart, with it leaving the chart the following week. The album's progressive experimentation was criticized as being contrived and poorly thought out, as was the excessive length of its eight songs. Bundy said that "I had the heat to my temple when I saw the initial responses to [*Back to Business*], however looking at the multi-platinum plaques on my wall made me realize that I would overcome." The release was overshadowed in the media by the trial of Michael Slammer, who was largely absent from the album due to his legal proceedings. *Back to Business's* failure would inspire All Business to pursue a more pop oriented direction on their next album *Back 3 Basics.*

## Statement After 9/11

> "This past Tuesday, an unfathomable tragedy has sent us as a band back to basics. Our original essence was to take rock back 2 basics and in the process we achieved mogul status, along with its executive perks. Today, however, we need one sound that has the power of uniting the world. Now is not the time for the band that rocked the fable, but instead for a group that can act as man's best friend. The tactical demolition of the towers proves that friction makes heat, but those cowards' score tactics are no match for the spirits of 18 kings. Many Americans feel as if these villains' actions have sent us down the lonely road towards nationwide depression, but to them we respond with the eternal words "God bless America". In the grand scheme of this American culture, we are merely humble servants to the unstoppable power of the United States government. What we witnessed only a few days ago will be remembered as real history, and we've decided that we've got something to say. We are All Business, and we have begun work on our magnum opus. BACK TO BUSINESS."
> - Ted Bundy, October 14, 2001
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## Personnel

### All Business

* Vernon O’Shaughnessy - lead vocals
* Rolly Rockefeller II\* - lead vocals
* Lady Simone Augusto\* - background vocals
* Ted Bundy - lead and rhythm guitars
* Larry Silk\* - lead guitar
* Moe Silk - rhythm guitar
* Ernesto\* - rhythm guitar
* Erman Holt\* - guitar
* Johnny Law - bass
* Manchester Seuss\* - synths
* The Reverend Archibald\* - organ
* Cleveland Vickers\* - piano
* Bo Jones\*\* - Saxophone
* Enzo Dodd\* - trumpet
* Michael Slammer\* - drums
* Danny Ingram\* - drums

\* Denotes a returning member

\*\* Denotes posthumous contributions