Bob James : Touchdown :Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards

Bob James - Touchdown
Released 1978

1. Angela (Theme From "Taxi")
2. Touchdown
3. I Want To Thank You (Very Much)
4. Sun Runner
5. Caribbean Nights

All tracks have been digitally remastered. Personnel: Bob James (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer); Eric Gale, Hiram Bullock (guitar); Earl Klugh (acoustic guitar); Hubert Laws (flute); David Sanborn (alto saxophone); Ron Carter (bass instrument); Gary King (bass guitar); Idris Muhammad, Steve Gadd (drums); Mongo Santamaria, Ralph MacDonald (percussion). Recording information: CBS Recording Studios, New York, New York (1978). With Creed Taylor no longer serving as his producer, Bob James loses something on 1978's TOUCHDOWN. James calls in a talented orchestra and some of the jazz world's best for support-Hiram Bullock, Eric Gale, Gary King, Ron Carter, Steve Gadd, Mongo Santamaria, Dave Sanborn, Hubert Laws, Earl Klugh, Jon Faddis, and Randy Brecker are among the players here-but still manages to deliver a somewhat formulaic recording. Regardless, TOUCHDOWN was among James' most successful albums. James composed and arranged TOUCHDOWN's five tracks, and they blend together to create relaxing background music. The most famous piece here is "Angela," a song composed for the popular television series "Taxi." The title track features a tremendous alto sax solo by Dave Sanborn and is also noteworthy as the most energetic song on the album. James opts primarily for electronic keyboards and synthesizers rather than acoustic piano, making TOUCHDOWN one of the earliest recordings in the style later classified as "smooth jazz." Those in search of '70s-style James may be disappointed. But smooth-jazz lovers will find TOUCHDOWN a wonderful listening experience and a necessary addition to their collections.

"Bob James made an indelible impression on me first with his incredible work on the CTI Label, his own solo records and also his arrangements for other artists. A Bob James record always had plenty of room in the track for each instrument and his work always showed a wonderful flair for melody and thematic development. He excels in so many different areas as an orchestral arranger or in a small ensemble, not to mention his
completely unique sound as a pianist and soloist. He was also a pioneer i the use of synthesizers in jazz as well as pushing the envelope sonically. His records always sound amazing. Here's to a great songwriter, innovator and most of all to me, an inspiration." - Jeff Lorber

"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