Danny Gottlieb: Aquamarine (1987)

For a while there in the late 1980s there was a short-lived fusion comeback. The Chick Corea Electrik Band was having some success. The new Mahavishnu band was attracting attention. Musicians such as saxophonist Bill Evans, drummer Dennis Chambers, keyboardist Clifford Carter, bassist Mark Egan and others began to develop a following. Guitarist Allan Holdsworth was making a mark. Soon, however, the record companies clamped down on any creativity coming from this branch of jazz in favor of the now burgeoning "smooth jazz" movement. (Pardon me; I need a moment to gag.) Recording contracts and promotional funds evaporated faster than a bubble on a gas burner.

Danny Gottlieb was among those shortchanged by this corporate attitude. Gottlieb had been part of the very popular Pat Metheny Group and later the reformed Mahavishnu. Along with his musical partner, the wonderful bassist Mark Egan, he had formed the very impressive band Elements. Unfortunately, Aquamarine became one of his few bites of the apple. It is nonetheless a delicious bite.

An infectious semi-Caribbean percussive riff opens the title cut, which is a pleasing ballad powered by the sailing guitar synthesizer of John Abercrombie, Doug Hall's keyboards and Gottlieb's backbeat. Its beautiful melody even makes "Aquamarine" a potential smooth jazz vehicle. (Pardon me; I need another moment to gag.) Luckily, thanks to the players' advanced improvising, that terrible fate does not befall this memorable melody, and in time the ingratiating opening riff returns to keep everything afloat. This isn't deep-sea diving. But a little scuba in the coral reef can make for an exciting outing. The rest of the album ain't chum either.

Tracklist:
1. Aquamarine 
2. Monterey 
3. The Aviary 
4. Alaska 
5. Waterfall 
6. Being 
7. Duet 
8. Upon A Time. 
9. Peace Of Mind 

Personnel: Danny Gottlieb (drums), Doug Hall (keyboards, rhythm guitar), John Abercrombie (guitar synthesizer), Cafe (percussion), John McLaughlin, Steve Khan, Joe Satriani, Jeff Mironov (guitars), Mark Egan (bass), Mitchel Forman (keyboards), Bill Evans (sax), Dave Samuels (vibraphone)

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Bob James: Obsession (1986)

As usual, Bob James is joined by an all-star cast on this 1986 release. Steve Khan, Marcus Miller, Randy and Michael Brecker, saxophonists Andy Snitzer and Kirk Whalum, Jon Faddis, and vocalist Lisa Fischer all lend their talents to this R&B flavored recording. The seven tracks blend smoothly together, delivering something approaching the more packaged and produced '90s Bob James sound.

Tracklist:
01. Obsession 6:04
02. Gone Hollywood 6:11
03. 3 A.M. 5:24
04. Rousseau 6:01
05. Rain 6:53
06. Steady 5:41
07. Feel The Fire 4:32
Personnel:
Bob James - keyboards, programming
Marcus Miller - bass
Michael Brecker - saxophone, EWI
Steve Khan - guitar
Kirk Whalum - saxophone
Jon Faddis - trumpet
Randy Brecker - trumpet
Andy Snitzer - saxophone
Nicky Moroch - guitar
Lenny White - drum Programming
Michael Colina - programming, drum programming
Sharon Bryant - Vocals
Renee Diggs - vocals
Lisa Fischer - vocals
Vaneese Thomas - vocals
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Harvey Mason: Stone Mason (1982)

Rare album of the fantastic drummer Harvey Mason who played with the best jazz funk musicians during the 70s. This album was only issued in Japan and was produced by Lee Ritenour and Harvey Mason. This LP includes a killer modern soul tune "What goes around" and a good remake of Donny Hathaway's song "Someday We'll All Be Free".

Tracklist:
A1 It All Comes From You
A2 Appassionata
A3 Autumn Flow
A4 Grusin's Groove
B1 What Goes Around
B2 Love Letters
B3 Hot Summer Nights
B4 Someday We'll All Be Free
Personnel:
Backing Vocals – Arnell* (tracks: B1), Deon Estus (tracks: B2), G. Kronstadt (tracks: B2), Harvey Mason (tracks: B1, B2), J.D.* (tracks: B1), King Floyd (tracks: B2), Pages (3) (tracks: B3), Ray Parker* (tracks: B1)
Bass – Abe Laboriel* (tracks: B4), Anthony Jackson (tracks: A3, A4), Gary King (tracks: A1, A2), Scott Edwards (2) (tracks: B1), Welton Gite (tracks: B2)
Drums – Harvey Mason
Engineer – Don Murray, Humberto Gatica, Joe Jergenson*, Keith Seppanen, Peter Chaiken
Flugelhorn – Kenny Mason (tracks: A3)
Guitar – Cash McCall (tracks: B2), John Tropea (tracks: A2), Lee Ritenour (tracks: B3, B4), Ray Parker* (tracks: B1), Steve Kahn (tracks: A1 to A4)
Lead Vocals – Karen Floyd (tracks: B2), Kelly McNulty (tracks: B1), Lisa Nemzo (tracks: B3)
Lyricon – Rod Zantey (tracks: A1, A2)
Marimba, Bells [Orchestra] – Harvey Mason (tracks: A1)
Percussion – Harvey Mason (tracks: A1, A3, A4), Jack Ashford (tracks: B1)
Piano – Bob James (tracks: A1, A2)
Piano [Accord] – Bernard Wright (tracks: A3, A4), David Paich (tracks: B3), Teuneson Stevens (tracks: B2)
Piano [Fender] – Bob James (tracks: A1)
Piano [Rhodes] – Dave Grusin (tracks: A3, A4), David Foster (tracks: B4), Sylvester Rivers (tracks: B1), Teuneson Stevens (tracks: B2)
Producer – Harvey Mason, Lee Ritenour (tracks: B3)
Recorder – Phil Ayling (tracks: B4)
Saxophone [Alto] – Dave Boruff* (tracks: B2)
Saxophone [Tenor] – Tom Scott (tracks: A2)
Synthesizer – Bob James (tracks: A2), Dave Grusin (tracks: A4), Harvey Mason (tracks: B1, B2), Ian Underwood (tracks: A1), Jeremy Lubbock (tracks:
A1, B4), Jerry Peters (tracks: B1, B2), Steve Pocaro* (tracks: B3)
Synthesizer [Keyboard Bass] – David Paich (tracks: B3)
Vibraphone – Harvey Mason (tracks: A3, A4)
Vocals – Harvey Mason (tracks: A1), Stephanie Spruill (tracks: B4)
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Patti Austin: Havana Candy (1977)

CTI was having its troubles financially at the time. They recycled arrangements for all their artists and limited their budgets. Austin sang this undistinguished material with as much conviction as she could muster, but the general pallid air lingering over the production also affected her vocals. -- AMG

Tracklist:
01. That's Enough For Me (5:50)
02. Little Baby (4:15)
03. I Just Want To Know (4:57)
04. Havana Candy (4:37)
05. Golden Oldies (4:44)
06. I Need Somebody (4:32)
07. We're In Love (4:03)
08. Lost In The Stars (5:02)
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Steve Khan: Parting Shot (2011)

Parting Shot represents a most special moment for Steve, because it is the first time that he has felt ready to present an entire recording dedicated to Latin Jazz. Anthony Jackson, Manolo Badrena, and Steve are together yet again, alongside their bandmate of 20 years, Dennis Chambers, where, joined by master Latin musicians, Marc Quinones and Bobby Allende, they have crafted these 10 pieces of music. It is their hope that everyone will enjoy the recording to the fullest, Vaya!!!

Tracklist:
1. Chronology
2. Los Gaiteros
3. Change Agent (El Catalizador)
4. Bye-ya
5. Maria Mulambo
6. Influence Peddler (Traficante de Influencias)
7. When She s Not Here (Cuando Ella no Esta)
8. Blues Connotation
9. Zancudoville
10. Just Deserts
Personnel:
Steve Khan: guitar
Anthony Jackson: contrabass guitar
Dennis Chambers: drums
Manolo Badrena: percussion, voice (5, 10)
Marc Quinones: timbale, bongo, percussion
Bobby Allendes: conga
Rob Mounsey: keyboards (9), orchestrations (2, 4, 6 7)
Tatiana Parra: voice (6)
Andres Beeeuwsaert: voice (6)
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