Triple Play
Erik North | San Gabriel, CA USA | 01/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Setting a standard for excellence in contemporary jazz or jazz-rock fusion is what keyboard maven Bob James has been about for many decades now. He excelled, along with a cadre of fine backing musicians, with each passing album, most especially during the height of the jazz-rock fusion movement of the Seventies. His 1976 album THREE stayed within the fulcrum of high-quality music.
Although it lacks the covers of classical pieces that its predecessors, 1974's ONE and 1975's TWO, had, THREE nevertheless continues to offer up James' exquisite keyboard work and stunning arrangements, particularly on the reggae-influenced "Jamaica Farewell", the mysterious "Storm King", and an extended nine minute-plus take on "One Mint Julep", which was a hit for Ray Charles back in 1961. Good friends like Grover Washington Jr., Eric Gale, Eddie Daniels, Hubert Laws, and Ralph McDonald give James all the support he needs to pull this project off. A hugely worthwhile album from a time where music mattered much more than mere promotional gimmickry."
The Best From The Best
Fifty Seven Jazz | Cincinnati USA | 01/31/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I remember first hearing Jamaica Farewell from this LP being played on the radio in 1976. I was driving to San Francisco on Rt. 101, and it was so beautiful, I just had to pull over to the side of the road and listen! I remember thinking at the time, "Bob James is doing something new. This could be huge!" Well, some of his later recordings sorely disappointed me, but he has on occasion produced beautiful work of this quality over the years. Just listen to the stellar CD "Grand Piano Canyon", his work with Fourplay ("Fourplay", "Journey", "Casino Lights '99"), or his straight-ahead collaboration "Take It From the Top" to see what I mean. If you want to experience one of the compilations that led to today's smooth jazz movement, I couldn't recommend a better place to start."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1
