Bob James : Heads :Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

Bob James - Heads
Released 1977

1. Heads
2. We're All Alone
3. I'm In You
4. Night Crawler
5. You Are So Beautiful
6. One Loving Night

All tracks have been digitally remastered. Bob James truly established himself as an outstanding arranger with this '70s release, which includes such notable tunes as Boz Scaggs' "We're All Alone," Peter Frampton's "I'm In You," Henry Purcell's gorgeous "One Loving Night" and the Billy Preston/Bruce Fischer hit "You Are so Beautiful." James works his magic with the help of David Sanborn, Grover Washington, Jr., and Patti Austin, along with a complete orchestra featuring strings, brass and a woodwind section notably including Michael Brecker and Eddie Daniels. The end result is a recording that ranks among James' best. His two original compositions, "Heads" and "Night Crawler," earned him considerable praise and respect as a solo artist, and fully demonstrate just how intricate his compositions can be. This CD is as excellent introduction to Bob James' music.

"I believe that what and how a person truly is inside as a man comes out in his music as well as his personal demeanor and relationships. Bob James is the consummate Gentleman and a "pro" of the highest caliber! He is an artist on the highest level as he is a businessman of integrity and class. His gorgeous music, so melodic with emotion and always contemporary with the best of taste, inspires, soothes and is exhilarating. Taste and class are his middle names. His choice of supportive musicians always is exemplary as he helped to expose so many musicians to either start or elevate their careers. Where many "musicians" and "artists" can be extremely "difficult" etc. to get along and interact with, Bob was and is always "the gentleman". A gentleman. You always feel that he is "in your corner" to "be" with you and bring out the best in you. He is a "quiet innovator" as he has always been at the forefront of creating new ways to expose his and others music. Long before the "Yanni's" and "John Tesh's" etc he was a leader presenting and featuring exciting talent.
His remarkable consistency for decades is an insight into his stability, discipline and healthy attitude's. A great pianist, composer, arranger, producer, businessman, band leader and sideman create the humble graceful star he is."
- John Klemmer 2006

"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