Customer Reviews

Heads (Reis)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to agree with the previous writer. This was one of my first introductions to Jazz and I have looked all over for something better but have never found it. Bob has some very good compisitions with "Heads' and "Nightcraweler", but the highlights for me are "We're All Alone" and "I'm In You". His arrangements are outstanding. I highly recommend this CD. Buy it today!

This CD holds a very special place in the heart of every true Bob James fan. This may be due in no small part to its sentimental value in relation to nostalgia. HEADS has an overtly sexual quality to it, as may be seen through it's titles (and the number five itself). Musically, it has much to offer. The title song features the interesting sound of the Oberheim polyphonic synth's "tinkle bells". The tour-de-force of the CD is his uptempo version of "We're All Alone", featuring pianist Richard Tee. Bob rides the disco wave in on his version of Peter Frampton's "I'm In You". Both this and the original version of "Nightcrawler" feature saxophonist David Sanborn. Grover Washington, Jr. adds his special touch on "You Are So Beautiful". HEADS closes with an adaptation of Baroque composer Henry Purcell's "One Loving Night", something which can only be skillfully done by arrangers such as Bob James and Don Sebesky. With HEADS, you win!

Possibly one of the most beautiful renditions of "You are so Beautiful" I've ever heard. It's so melodic, it almost brings tears to your eyes. Some of the other songs are a little cheezy and outdated. Overall, a joyful album (yes, I have the original LP) to relive the memories of.

This was my introduction to Jazz music and I've never found anything better. Everyone I shared it with has fallen in love with it as well. I'd recommend it to anyone.

This is contemporary jazz at its best. I am a big jazz fan but I have not come across a single jazz recording that rivals this album. Whenever i listen to "one loving night" I really dont know what to do with myself because the sweetness and perfection enter my very bones. The other tracks are all great (e.g. Jamaica Farewell).

Bob James is so prolific that too many of his solo albums don't stand out and the average smooth jazz fan is better off to get a greatest hits compilation such as Restoration: The Best of Bob James if they want to check out James's work.

As a person who's predominately a fan of metal, I prefer jazz that's heavier in syncopation and usually stay away from smooth jazz. This album, however, actually stood out to me. I heard some of his other albums and while they were decent, they didn't stand out largely from the other. This one though had a good sense of groove and displayed some good song writing. My favorite tracks were the title track, "Night Crawler", and "One Loving Night."

Recommended for fans of smooth jazz.

Like a couple of the previous reviewers, "Heads" was also my introduction to Bob James. I got this album shortly after it came out in the late '70's, and have loved it ever since. Thank God it was released on CD in the mid '90's. I added many more of Bob's albums to my collection as the years went by and while they're all very good, "Heads" does hold that special place.

For me part of the appeal is the rich blend of musical textures he creates by mixing electronic and real instruments. His acoustic piano sounds so good against the synthesizer. That fat bass trombone sound in "We're All Alone" is awesome.

And the music is excellent. The piano solos in the title tune are most intelligent and musical improvisations I've heard anywhere. "Night Crawler" has a slow, funky beat that'll have you bobbing your head back and forth before it's over.

A lot of modern jazz sounds quite a bit like upscale Muzak. Bob doesn't. When you catch yourself listening with your brain as well as your ears, you'll know you've been hooked.

This is one of my favorites and definitely the 1st I ever own on LP. It has everybody from David Sanborn, Eric Gale, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Grover Washington, Jr., Eddie Daniels, Lew Soloff, Steve Gadd, Richard Tee, Gary King, David Nadien, Patti Austin, Gwen Guthrie, etc. I mean an all-star cast that features on this album. One thing I like about this album it has so many memories and it may me become a trumpet player later after getting introduced real big in Jazz.

My first endeavor in Jazz had to be Chuck Mangione b/c he was the first trumpet player ever I got experienced, then sooner or later, I got into Donald Byrd, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny G, David Sanborn, Grover Washington, Jr., Pieces of a Dream, Spyro Gyra, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Rick Braun, George Benson, Maynard Ferguson, Arturo Sandoval, GRP All-Star Big Band, etc.

Now that I'm into it right now, I know all the facts and details about what jazz really is. Anybody isn't a fan of jazz shouldn't review this album. But for those that are missing out good music or are continuing jazz lovers or long-time fans to jazz should buy this album. This album is more of a jazz-funk album with a lotta flavor 2 it from the brass, winds/reeds, strings, rhythm sections, vocals, etc.

Here's the list:

1. Heads- Love the title song w/ more upbeat to it

2. We're All ALone- Everybody knows this one. It was done by my favorite artist Boz Scaggs and was redone by Lisa Coolidge right-after. I love the movements and the sound that come into it. Does have a disco feel to it.

3. I'm In You- Originally done by Peter Frampton, and has the same song and lyrics with a different rhythm in disco-jazz feel.

4. Night Crawler- More of a jazzy hip-hop or neo-soul style like u see in the regular hip-hop albums from A Tribe Called Quest, Guru & Gang Starr, De La Soul, Ronny Jordan, Us3, The Jungle Brothers, Jeru the Damaja, Common, The Roots, etc. or on some neo-soul/R&B albums from D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Musiq, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Quincy Jones, TLC, Brandy, Faith Evans, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Barry White, Erykah Badu, etc.
Has some real solos in it.

5. You Are So Beautiful- This is more a bluesy song with much soul 2 it. It also features the late saxman Grover Washington,
Jr. and special guest doing the vocals Patti Austin.

6. One More Night- Kinda of a classical song that starts from the intro and 2 the end of the song. It also begins w/ a jazz-soul feel like u see in other albums from Grover, Hancock, The Crusaders, Ronnie and Hubert Laws, George Duke, Stanley Clarke and especially Miles Davis.

Like this would on my collection for years to come. I'm 'bout 2 get it on CD or cassette 1 day 4 me to carry along w/ me.

Well, that's practically what it is!

While Bob James has usually included covers and adaptations of other peoples' music in his repetoire, Heads is unusual because the lion's share (about two thirds) of the material is covers. Which by no means takes anything away from the album. These are tastefully and very creatively done. In some cases, I was even caught off guard. When I put the CD in my player, I wasn't even thinking that "We're All Alone" was very tune written by Boz Scaggs. And it didn't occur to me until about 45 seconds into it! First, it's an instrumental; but, aside from that, it's arranged completely different. Incongruous to the original lyrics, this is not a gentle ballad, but an upbeat, funky take on the classic. While one reading this may be sceptical, it actually works for this song quite well. In other cases, such as Peter Frampton's "I'm In You" and Billy Preston's "You Are So Beautiful", the adaptations are closer to the original but with a distinctively BJ treatment-- lightly funky and even a little irreverant in a very tastefull way. The album closes with a version of a familiar Henry Purcell number, "One Loving Night," and it's the one song that sounds the most like James' more orchestrated-sounding earlier work. The two originals, "Heads", and especially "Night Crawler", are real smooth jazz gems with very cool, relaxing grooves.

Overall, Heads works as a kind of second part to the intermediate period begun with BJ4 which bridges the gap between the more fusion-oriented work of the first three albums and the contemporary smooth jazz of the albums beginning with Touchdown. Easy to like from the first listening (if you like soft jazz) and having the distinct ability to create greater affection for it with repeated listening, this is a great addition to anyone's dinner music collection.

I have to say all 6 of Bob James first 1970's classic albums 1,2,3,BJ4,Heads,and Touchdown are my favorites. This era of Bob James is his very best.
"Heads" and "Nightcrawler" are must have tracks. "Were Not Alone" has nice piano arrangements, and radically cool version of "I'm In You".

Once again a great cast of legends are on this album such as Grover Washington Jr.,David Sanborn,Patty Austin,and others.

When I think of Bob James albums I think of Jazz Fusion that is incredibly cool,creative,and fun to listen to. Heads is a good name for this album. I would almost have to flip a coin to decide if Touchdown or this album is better.