Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 08/23/2005
Run Time: 36:21
By
Three,
Bob James -- the pianist, composer, and arranger -- was deep into
jazz-funk. The five tracks here reflect his obsession with hard, danceable grooves that take as much from the
soul-jazz book as they do his years with
CTI. Using many of the same session players he bonded with at his former label -- including
Eric Gale,
Hugh McCracken,
Hubert Laws,
Will Lee, and
Harvey Mason -- and a large host of stellar horn players (among them
Lew Soloff and
Jon Faddis),
James offers five selections of simple but fun
jazz-pop. On
"One Mint Julep," Grover Washington's tenor goes head to head with
James' Rhodes and synths.
"Women of Ireland" is a solid take on the
ballad with fine guitar work from
Gale as a contrast to the watershed of strings. The laid-back, space groove contains another killer solo by
Washington, while
"Westchester Lady" borders on
disco without ever falling headlong into it. The closer,
"Jamaica Farewell," is another shimmering
ballad with a whistle solo by
Washington playing the melody. The faux-
reggae rhythm and slippery bassline are the only things that keep it from slipping into a lightweight ether. Unfortunately, the
Koch CD reissues do not contain the bonus track
"Look Look." The remastered sound is welcome, though, and while the sound here is somewhat dated, the feel is timeless.
~Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
;)
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