Angels of Shanghai

Bob James | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 10, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B000025WPI
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,801 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #10 in Music > World Music > Africa > South Africa

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This project pairs smooth jazz keyboardist/composer Bob James and his Fourplay bandmates bassist Nathan East (who sings on the ballad "Endless Time") and drummer Harvey Mason, with guitarist Jack Lee and the Angels of Shanghai, who are masters of the er-hu, a two-string violin, the lute-like pipa, a harp-zither called a guzheng, and the dizi bamboo flute. James' sympathetic pianisms best blend with the Sinocentric sonorities and syncopations on the hip-notic "Gulangyu Island" the Asian and French-inflected "Melodia: A Quiet Place for Two" and "Angela with Purple Bamboo," a Silk Road update of James' beloved theme from the TV show Taxi. "By combining the spirit of American jazz with the beauty of traditional Chinese instruments by absorbing and learning from this rich Eastern cultural heritage,"" James writes in the liner notes, "I have sought to explore ways that we would communicate openly and freely; improvising and sharing our discoveries." --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Product Description

Legendary jazz artist Bob James presents his newest project, featuring Nathan East, Harvey Mason, Jack Lee and Lewis Pragasam. A unique East meets West musical exploration - contemporary jazz artists interacting with young musicians from Shanghai performing on traditional Chinese instruments. Ancient sounds blend with modern technology and creativity to produce an experience with no boundaries. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Visionary, passionate and creative., April 11, 2007

By 

jimmy "jimmy" (Los Angeles,CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angels of Shanghai (Audio CD)

"Angels of Shanghai" is the latest project by the legendary jazz musician Bob James.
A unique "east meets west" musical exploration- contemporary jazz artists interacting with with a group of incredibly talented Chinese Classical musicians from Shanghai performing on traditional Chinese instruments including the er-hu (a two string violin), the pipa (similar to a lute), guzheng (a cross between a harp & a zither) and dizi (different sized bamboo flutes).
Ancient sounds blend with modern technology and creativity to produce an experience with no boundaries.
The result is a tasty, great mix of both worlds as the Bob James Quartet ( Bob James himself, drummer/percussionist Harvey Mason, guitarist Jack Lee, bassist/vocalist Nathan East) combines with the five Angels of Shanghai playing traditional Chinese instruments, to produce a new sound.
The well crafted and superbly played album shocases contemporary jazz with strong melodies and exotic textures, which hopefully will satisfy Bob's many longtime and faithful followers.
The CD features nine original Bob James compositions, including "Celebration", "Dream With Me" and "Angels Theme: The Invention of Love".
"Endless Time" is co-written by fellow Fourplay member, Nathan East, who also sings lead vocals.
A special treat is a new "Angels of Shanghai" version of Bob's signature composition: the classic theme from "Taxi," here titled "Angela With Purple Bamboo".
My favourite track are "Batterfly Lovers", "Theme Onara", and " Gulangyu Island".
You wii like this album, excellent for a drive down to the beach and for a yoga session.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BOB JAMES & HIS "SHANGHAI ANGELS" SOAR BEAUTIFULLY ACROSS MUSICAL BORDERS, April 15, 2007

By 

RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Angels of Shanghai (Audio CD)

Five INTERNATIONAL Stars!! Master pianist Bob James brings his smooth jazz/pop stylings and attractive songs into the 'world music' arena in a rewarding musical triumph. Although hardly nascent and somewhat in the area code of the group 'Hiroshima', James' stylings have their own musical density, owing to his piano, the unique Chinese instruments in support (the violin-like "er-hu" instrument is flat out mesmerizing), and due to his lush, swinging arrangements, that separate them from the others. American Jazz and Chinese traditional flourishes are combined using a "quintet" of Chinese students from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music along with a quintet composed of Bob and three old musical friends (Harvey Mason and Nathan East of "FourPlay" and Jack Lee), plus Lewis Pragasam of Kuala Lumpur. Special appearances are by Karen Han ("Butterfly Lovers") and Bridgett Bryant ("Endless Time"). Although spoken language is a barrier among some band members, the group communicates beautifully in the international language of music, which is carefully crafted by Mr James and friends. This group is also a touring band and Mr James says he is clearly enjoying this musical experience, as reflected herein.

The Pieces De Resistance, the best of the best, begin with the gentle, beautiful "Angels' Theme: The Invention of Love". "Endless Time" is wonderful music with co-writer Nathan East's fluid voice softly creating a great atmosphere with Bridgett Bryant in support. "The Magic Paintbrush" is pure smooth wonder as James & Co exchange musical leads, with just the right amount of funk and density added to the mix. "Dialogues: the Universal Language" is a really nice surging uptempo number, where the "Angels" show they can swing. When they first met, Mr James used the theme from "Taxi" as an example of his prior work to the students and it is included here in a great performance entitled "Angela With Purple Bamboo". This is an unusual and great addition to the Bob James smooth jazz discography. Many moments of pure beauty lie ahead for the listener! Five WONDERFUL Stars.

(Note: *this review is based on an iTunes digital download)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavenly music of the Angels of Shanghai with Bob James, May 20, 2007

By 

Walter D. Young (watertown, ny) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Angels of Shanghai (Audio CD)

I've been a Bob James fan for over 30 years. This latest collaboration with the young Chinese musicians from the music conservatory in Shanghai builds on the legacy of Mr.James. I was a bit skeptical of this joint venture,being somewhat of fusion purist. I was used to Bob's tradition of surrounding himself by the best jazz fusion players around,e.g. Grover,Hubert Laws,Gary King,Earl Klugh,Boney James,Kirk Whalum,Larry Carlton,Lee Ritenour,Harvey Mason,David Sanborn,the Brecker Brothers,Eric Gale and all the others too numerous to mention. I put my skepticism aside,thinking that if the Angels were good enough for Bob then they certainly must be good enough for me.

After allowing myself the opportunity to let the music come to me, I realized that Bob's musical genius had found a new platform with this East meets West venture. Bob has always had a knack of showcasing the talents of his players and this CD continues that tradition. The really pleasurable thing is that the listener has the opportunity to hear perhaps for the first time the enchanting power of ancient Chinese instruments such as the Er-Hu, a two string instrument played like a vertical violin or the guzheng, a harp like instrument whose unique sound is matched by the grace of the young woman playing it. I was fortunate enough to see the group in concert and added it to my list of the top live performances I've ever seen. Get the CD. You won't regret it!