This 1975 release is a masterpiece of soul jazz, with keyboardist Bob James providing the arrangements for Grover Washington's emotive saxophones. James's opening "Earth Tones" has Washington playing soprano over a weave of percussion and electronics that suggests the influence of Miles Davis's electric fusion work, while "Passion Flower," a beautiful ballad by Duke Ellington's composing partner, Billy Strayhorn, has Washington's soprano backed by rich strings. His tenor is potent and soulful on the punchy version of "Mr. Magic" and funkier still on the James-Washington collaboration "Black Frost." Eric Gale turns in some superb guitar solos, and the studio band, anchored by taut backbeats from bassist Gary King and drummer Harvey Mason, is first-rate. --Adam Rains
Mister Magic,Grover Washington Jr,Motown / Pgd,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop
Jazz Music:
- Misterioso [Live]
- Music for String Quartet, Jazz Trio, Violin and Lee Konitz
- Nefertiti [Import]
- Norrköping
- One Day I... [Import]
- One Last Time
- Paint the World
- Pequenos Mundos/Small Worlds
- Piano Moods: the Definitive Collection [Import]
- Plus 4
Jazz Music
Music: Handel: Israel in Egypt/Chandos Anthem No. 10
Classic Jewish Holiday & Shabbat Songs
Church Music by John Sheppard, Vol. 4
Carolus Maximus: Music in the Life of Charles V