Bob James : Restless :Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

Bob James - Restless
Released 1994

1. Lotus Leaves
2. Under Me
3. Restless
4. Kissing Cross
5. Storm Warning
6. Animal Dreams
7. Back To Bali
8. Into The Light
9. Serenissima
10. Awaken Us To The Blue

Personnel: Bob James (keyboards); Ila Schloss, Hilary James (vocals); Andy Snitzer (alto saxophone); Michael Brecker (saxophone, EWI, digeridoo); Michael Colina (synthesizer); Jeff Miranov, Nick Moroch, Dean Brown, Fareed Haque (guitar); Ron Carter (acoustic & electric bass); Max Risenhoover (bass, synthesizer, drums, percussion); Nathan East, Pino Palladino (bass); Harvey Mason, Steve Ferrone (drums); Lisa Fischer, Fonzi Thornton, Tawatha Agee, Luther Vandross (background vocals). Producers: Max Risenhoover, Ray Bardani, Michael Colina. Engineers include: Ken Freeman, Max Risenhoover, Bill Schnee. This appropriately titled album reflects Bob James' mood in 1994, and offers a little bit of everything for fans. For those that crave the Bob James of the '70s, there is the track "Animal Dreams." James explores big band jazz with "Into the Light." His daughter, Hillary, lends her youthful vocal talent on the ballad "Storm Warning" and joins Lisa Fischer in backing up Luther Vandross on "Under Me." Other tracks such as "Lotus Leaves," "Back to Bali," and "Restless" cater to the contemporary jazz lover, with the title cut being the most pop track on the album. James is joined by a who's who in the jazz world including Nathan East, Michael Brecker, saxophonist Andy Snitzer, Ron Carter, Fareed Haque and Harvey Mason.

"Bob James is an enigma, at once the granddaddy and the young buck of the Smooth Jazz revolution. His ability to constantly reinvent himself has kept him on the cutting edge and in the forefront of the industry for decades. He has been so ubiquitous for so many years that one might take him for granted, overlooked for the 'next big thing', but once you get a chance to play with him, it dispels any notion of cobwebs, reruns, or being out of the game. The consummate master!"
- Gabriel Mark Hasselbach

"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