Customer Reviews

Angels of Shanghai

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"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.

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)

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!

Mr. James, thank you for your inventive spirit...for always trying new things, for continuing to grow and for still surprising me after all these years. An absolutely beautiful musical gift -that what this cd is. These traditional Chinese instruments have a fascination for me that is indescribable. Mr. Lee on the guitar is as soulful as any fourplay guitarist. Harvey Mason and Nathan East are both, as always, perfection. And "Angela with Purple Bamboo" -heavenly! One of the best versions of this popular tune. I love this cd so much - I play it every morning to get me "inspired" for the day. I hope the next Fourplay recording will include some of this sound in at least a few of the tracks. I also hope Mr. James will do another project with these young musicians. Thanks again for this great work.

I heard a clip on the Tavis Smiley Show (PRI) and *had* to have it! (I'm a Bob James fan from BJ1.)
For the music lover who's thirstin' and yearnin' for something fresh, innovative and creative in this age of regurgitated oldies and even older sounds, Bob James "Angels of Shanghai" lifted my spirits.
If this is the synergy we get when East meets West, and youth meets "wisdom", let's hear more. The Eastern musicians' flavor in the work is enhanced by the rhythms of urban hip-hop and garnished with classical tapestry.
Look, I'm tryin' to describe with words what ya gotta hear.....

As all the music recorded by this extraordinary keyboardist,"Angels of Shangai" is an excellent cd. The music is beautiful and these young musicians from Shangai do their best with their typical instruments. The song "Endless Time" interpreted by bassist Nathan East, is so romantic and emotive, one of my favorites. Every song has the enchantment that make you feel out of this world. If you like good music and smooth jazz with oriental sound, this cd is for you!

Bob James' jazz has been becoming more complex and more piano dominated over recent years. Both of these factors has led to a purple patch in his lengthy career. This album would sit well on your shelf alongside his "Dancing on the Water" set from a few years ago. Both are unusual and thoughtful collaborations. Here, the slower numbers work best of all. The traditional oriental instruments add a mournful character to the sad cadence of the downbeat compositions. I'm still a little undecided about the reworking of "Angela" but it draws you in and makes you think about whether it is too New York and familiar to be here. This is a cd that I'm going to be listening to for a long time to come.

Bob James' jazz has been becoming more complex and more piano dominated over recent years. Both of these factors has led to a purple patch in his lengthy career. This album would sit well on your shelf alongside his "Dancing on the Water" set from a few years ago. Both are unusual and thoughtful collaborations. Here, the slower numbers work best of all. The traditional oriental instruments add a mournful character to the sad cadence of the downbeat compositions. I'm still a little undecided about the reworking of "Angela" but it draws you in and makes you think about whether it is too New York and familiar to be here. This is a cd that I'm going to be listening to for a long time to come.

Bob James continues to reinvent himself and still give a sound that is in his style with out being predictable

Lets face it the Chinese will rule the world one day..lets congratulate Bob James for leading the way.This music reminds me of my favorite Kung Fu movie with a romantic twist....highly recommended to all martial arts fans.