Grand Piano Canyon

Performer: Bob James
Artist: Michael Brecker; Nathan East; Eric Gale; Kirk Whalum; Lee Ritenour
Producer: Bob James
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Bob James (piano, synthesizer); Kirk Whalum (soprano & tenor saxophones), Chris Hunter (alto saxophone); Andy Snitzer (tenor saxophone); Roger Rosenberg (baritone saxophone); Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker (trumpet); Jim Pugh (trombone); Lee Ritenour (guitar, guitar synthesizer); Eric Gale, Dean Brown (guitar); Gary King, Nathan East (bass); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Abraham Laboriel (bass); Max Risenhoover, Harvey Mason (drums); Leonard "Doc" Gibbs (percussion). Recorded at Ocean Way Studios in Hollywood; Clinton Studios in New York City; Remidi Studio in Ardsley-on-Hudson, N.Y. On 1990's GRAND PIANO CANYON, Bob James and his cohorts do an excellent job of delivering exactly what fans expect. The likes of Nathan East, Harvey Mason, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, saxophonists Andy Snitzer and Kirk Whalum, Lee Ritenour, and Eric Gale provide subtle instrumental backup on these nine jazzy piano tracks. CANYON blends straight-ahead jazz with a bit of contemporary jazz for a well rounded and relaxing recording. The catchy radio hit "Restoration" is a highlight. "Bare Bones" provides the album with its most jamming moment, while Ritenour's "Just Listen" and the lovely "Far from Turtle" add a soft, romantic touch. James' beautiful playing is featured throughout, though the middle of the album does drag slightly. But if you're looking for a fine late-night listen, GRAND PIANO CANYON should hit the mark.

Keyboardist Bob James is a man who has worn many musical hats. He began as a progressive-jazz pianist in the early 1960s (he even recorded for famed underground avant-garde label ESP). By the '70s, however, he'd incorporated electric keyboards and become a star in the burgeoning fusion genre, making records which would later be sampled by countless hip-hop artists. Along the way, he was also involved in the soundtracks for everything from SERPICO to the TV show TAXI, and worked as arranger and producer for Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, and others. In the '90s, James became even more popular as a member of the smooth-jazz supergroup Fourplay.

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