Bob James BJ4 CD

Personnel includes: Bob James (piano); Art Farmer (trumpet); Eddie Daniels (clarinet); Eric Gale (guitar); Steve Gadd (drums).
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Personnel: Bob James (Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, synthesizer, ARP synthesizer); Eddie Daniels (flute, clarinet, saxophone); Hubert Laws (flute); Art Farmer (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gary King (bass guitar); Steve Gadd (drums); Ralph MacDonald (percussion).
The CD reissue of BJ 4 starts off promising with a flugelhorn solo from the great Art Farmer, but the music soon sinks into pure commercialism. Bob James' dated-sounding keyboards are always prominent, as are the rather mechanical rhythms churned out by bassist Gary King, drummer Steve Gadd, and percussionist Ralph MacDonald. Although there are some catchy moments, the six selections (which clock in between almost-five and almost-seven minutes) never seem to travel anywhere. Farmer, flutist Hubert Laws and guitarist Eric Gale have short solos that are primarily used as props and for contrast before James takes back complete control. The occasional strings and woodwinds make the light funk music here seem a bit Muzaky, so this is one to skip. ~ Scott Yanow
BJ4 is the fourth of Bob James' impressive albums. Produced and polished by Creed Taylor, James features his usual 1970's cast of musicians, including Steve Gadd, Hubert Laws, Eddie Daniels, guitarist Eric Gale and percussionist Ralph MacDonald. Each of the six tracks spotlights one of the stellar musicians, whether it be Hubert Laws' flute on "Where the Wind Blows Free," Eric Gale's impressive guitar solo on "Treasure Island," or James' fancy finger work on "Tappan Zee." The opening cut, "Pure Imagination" sets the relaxed mood for the album--a recording that delivers what fans have come to expect from the pianist/composer/arranger. BJ4 is a true jazz fusion classic.