Customer Reviews

Playin Hooky

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bob James treats us to a "musical vacation" on this CD, his solo follow-up to RESTLESS. "Playing With Fire" is a new twist on a familliar melody by Chopin. "Mind Games" is radio-ready, featuring Bob at the Rhodes with Boney James (no relation--his real name is James Oppenheim). "The River Returns" features vocalisation by Bob's daughter Hilary. It bleeds into "Organza", which reminds me an awful lot of "Lotus Leaves". Bob reels us in with the funky "Hook, Line, And Sinker", featuring Oppenheim and a great horn section out front. "Glass Hearts" is a poignant tune, embodying the musical spirit of Jobim and Chopin. "Night Sky" is worthy of musing. New talent Rasheeda puts an orgasmic spin on the Gershwins' "Do It Again". "Love Is Where" features the East brothers Marcel and Nathan, and Rick Braun. "Are You Ready" is a sexually charged tune with some ingenious modulations and chords. True Bob James in every sense of the word!

Bob James is a JAZZ MASTER..PERIOD! His understanding of the piano and jazz nuances make this ONE of my favorites of his. The CD covers styles from ballads, to Latin and also a little R&B influence, and is BRIMMING with programmed synthesizer and percussion. As I mentioned, top shelf. Add THIS one to your collection!

I've been a Bob James fan since the early 70's. While I have generally enjoyed his music over the years, I have given him a fair amount of criticism for producing unimaginative "smooth jazz" from time to time. He has created some gems (Three, Touchdown, Grand Piano Canyon) and few clunkers, too (Foxie, Hands Down, 12). However, this CD rates as one of his best efforts. "Playing With Fire" is reminscent of his enjoyable mid 70's compositions and has a nice Latin sound. "Mind Games" has gotten a great deal of airplay and it's always nice to hear Boney James and Bob James collaborate. The big surprises here are "Night Sky" and "Love is Where." Both are superb compositions and are reminders that Bob can write stunningly beautiful music.

I just recieved this CD a belated birthday gift from my sister. an I must say this is a great recording. This is smooth jazz at its best. I have been fan of Bob James for many years. I own several of his recordings some of the early ones on vinyl. This is definitly one of his best.

I'd pay for a CD with only that song on it. In fact if I learned there was a better quality file or disk (of the exact same version of the song) I would probably pay up to fifty bucks for it. It is that good.

The album keeps getting better and better as the years go by. There are four, maybe five songs that I specifically get in the mood to listen to just that song, right now. There are no weak songs.

My buddy gave me Bob James' Joy Ride CD and I liked it a lot. So I wanted to get more by him. This CD is almost aa good. It's typical Bob James easy listening. If you like him, you will like this CD. I think Joy Ride is his best. This CD comes close.

what a cd!!!from the first track to the last track,the track are mind blowing,easy to listen and it is very hard to stop tapping your foot once you start listening to it

This is my one and only CD from Bob James. This one didn't disappoint me.

Bob James: A great living keyboard master. This CD says so. Listen! His keys & the amount of "non real stuff" is controlled nicely. Personnel~Bob James-piano, Rhodes, synths, synth & percussion programming, programming; Michael Colina-drum, synth, percussion & string programming, programming, high vibes; Steve Gadd, Billy Kilson-drums; Nathan East, Chris Walker-bass, voice; James Genus-acoustic bass; Paul Brown-guitar, percussion programming; Jeff Carruthers-synth programming; Dave Samuels-vibes; Emedin Rivera, Cyro Baptista, Lenny Castro-percussion; Nick Moroch-guitar; Hilary James-voice; Ken Freeman-programming Guests- Fareed Haque-acoustic guitar; Chuck Loeb-guitar; Boney James-saxophones; Marcel East-keys, piano solo, drum programming; Rick Braun-trumpet/flugel; Rasheeda-vocals; & a horn section. Enjoy this CD.