Bob James : Lucky Seven :Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

Bob James - Lucky Seven
Released 1979

1. Rush Hour
2. Blue Lick
3. Look-Alike
4. Big Stone City
5. Friends
6. Fly Away

All tracks have been digitally remastered. On LUCKY SEVEN, Bob James' seventh release, the keyboardist rebounds from the blandness that marked his previous TOUCHDOWN. James composed, arranged, produced, and conducted LUCKY SEVEN's six tracks. The result suggests a return to the sound of his early-to-mid '70s releases. Once again, James calls in his heavyweight friends of the decade. Hiram Bullock, bassist Neil Jason, Steve Khan, bassist Gary King, Steve Gadd, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Dave Sanborn, and electric guitarist Eric Gale are among the players appearing here alongside James. Patti Austin lends her vocal talents to "Friends," a duet with Jason, while Bullock, Schoen, and James himself provide backup. James' synthesizers and electronic keyboards date the recording in places. But James puts his best tracks forward and allows the listener to wind down with the final three. While James didn't exactly hit the jackpot with LUCKY SEVEN, "Rush Hour" and "Blue Lick" are notably fine.

"Bob James is one of the reasons why I started playing more piano and composing Smooth Jazz songs. Bob James has always been a big influence. Bob has a knack for great melodies and grooves. I've been a big fan since the late seventies. I still listen to the captivating vinyl recording of "One on One" with Bob James and Earl Klugh, and other great recordings with Bob and David Sanborn and with Grover Washington. I also love Bob's current CDs with his super group FOURPLAY." - Alphonse Mouzon

"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