Gino Vannelli - Crazy Life

CD reissue. This is his first release after Herb Alpert at (Alpert & Moss) A & M Records gave Gino Vannelli and his brother, keyboardist/arranger Joe Vannelli, a contract. Crazy Life is a very stripped down, jazzy-pop and a somewhat glossy variety of bossa nova/R & B. The instrumentation is absolutely wonderful with the layered Fender Rhodes and the subtle somewhat tropical production from Herb Alpert. Nearly every song on "Crazy Life" is a stand-out. From the laid back bossa nova of the title track to the driving piano soul of "Hollywood Holiday" to the smooth blues of "Fling Of Mine", the latin rhythms of "Great Lake Canoe" and the Gershwin-esque closing "Piano Song", there is plenty to enjoy during this album.