Bob James : Flesh and Blood :Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

Bob James & Hilary James - Flesh and Blood
Released 1995

1. Shelter Me
2. Storm Warning
3. Just Like My Lover
4. After The Fall
5. Somebody Make Me Laugh
6. Oasis
7. Baby Plays Around
8. Up Into The Silence The Green
9. Flesh And Blood
10. We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together

Personnel includes: Hilary James (vocals); Bob James (keyboards); Nick Moroch (acoustic & electric guitar); John Leventhal (acoustic, 12-string, electric & slide guitars, bazuki); Fareed Haque (classical guitar); Lee Ritenour (guitar); Nancy McAlhany (violin); Jill Jaffe (viola); Maxine Neuman (cello); Michael Colina (synthesizer, bass synthesizer); George Mraz (acoustic bass); Nathan East, Pino Palladino (bass); Harvey Mason, Manu Katche (drums); Max Risenhoover (drums, percussion); Leonard "Doc" Gibbs (percussion); Fonzi Thornton, Tawatha Agee, Eric Troyer, Rory Dodd, Will Lee, Sheri Huffman, Luther Vandross, Lisa Fischer, Julie Johnson, Paulette McWilliams (background vocals). Recorded at Remidi Studio, Ardsley-On-Hudson, New York; Right Track, Power Station, and Hit Factory, New York, New York.

"As some people may know I am from the Caribbean Grenada to be exact and I remember, getting turned on to Bob James's music in the late seventies. When a friend of mine relocated from the United States back to Grenada, and loaned me one of his records. I was so hooked on Bob James that I would sneak out of Baird in the middle of the night put on my headphones turn on the stereo I listen to Bob James and everything that he did and pray to God that I do not get caught listening to Bob James at 2 a.m. in the morning. As a youngster, I was fascinated with all his arrangements at all the different artists that he worked with. I remember getting the records and looking at the photographs of the musicians in the studio working with him and dreaming someday that could be me. Bob James was a major influence in my development as a musician and arranger/producer. In closing I would like to say how happy I am that were able to on the Bob James for a job well done." - Eddie Bullen

"Bob James never ceases to amaze me. When I first met him he was sitting in front of a piano not looking at all like a pianist, so I didn't expect very much from him. Especially since he was about to accompany one of the greatest singers of our time, Ms. Sarah Vaughn, but when his hands touched that piano his brilliance became clearly evident. His musicianship reflected both his jazz and classical experience. He enhanced her performances beautifully. I later found him to be an incredible arranger who had a flair for pop music mixed with jazz and R&B. His recordings as a stable mate on CTI Records reflected a very listenable modern approach to jazz. As a producer he has created records that started a trend that transcends its time. As a member of the group Fourplay, Bob has once again shown his unlimited ability to adapt to any musical environment.

It is an honour to recognize Bob James as the first recipient of the George
Benson Lifetime Achievement Award." - George Benson