Bob James - Touchdown (1978) 2/2

Track List: 4-5 4. Sun Runner (0:00) 5. Caribbean Nights (6:19) Part 1.    • Bob James - Touchdown (1978) 1/2   Part 2.    • Bob James - Touchdown (1978) 2/2   Playlist:    • Bob James +   Touchdown Review by Thom Jurek Bob James' most enduring recording is perhaps one of his least adventurous. Full of simple laid-back melodies, light, airy grooves, and quiet backdrops, it's a smooth jazz "masterpiece." It's an enduring part of his catalog and was the launch pad for many movie and television projects, and for a string of hit recordings for the Warner label in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. In effect, it insured his financial security for the future. The set is notable for its heavyweight cast including David Sanborn, Ron Carter, Idris Muhammad, Steve Gadd, Eric Gale, Hubert Laws, and Earl Klugh. It also netted the monster hit "Angela (Theme from Taxi)," which continued to get airplay on smooth jazz stations into the 21st century. James is a highly developed pianist, arranger, and composer, and while the music here is as safe as milk, it nonetheless spoke to millions. Personnel: Bob James – acoustic piano, Yamaha electric grand piano, Fender Rhodes, Oberheim Polyphonic synthesizer, arrangements and conductor Eric Gale – guitar solo (1), electric guitar (2, 5) Hiram Bullock – electric guitar (2-5), guitar solo (5), vocal solo (5) Earl Klugh – acoustic guitar (3, 4, 5) Richard Resnicoff – rhythm acoustic guitar (3) Gary King – electric bass (1, 2) Ron Carter – acoustic bass (3, 4, 5), piccolo bass solo (5) Idris Muhammad – drums (1) Steve Gadd – drums (2-5) Ralph MacDonald – percussion (1-4) Mongo Santamaria – percussion (5) Brass and Woodwinds Phil Bodner – alto saxophone, flute, oboe Jerry Dodgion – alto saxophone, flute David Sanborn – alto saxophone solo (2) Howard Johnson – baritone saxophone, contrabass clarinet Harvey Estrin – tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute George Marge – tenor saxophone, English horn, flute, oboe, recorder Hubert Laws – flute solo (3, 4, 5) Wayne Andre – trombone Dave Bargeron – trombone Alan Raph – trombone Randy Brecker – trumpet Jon Faddis – trumpet Mike Lawrence – trumpet Ron Tooley – trumpet Strings: David Nadien – concertmaster Jonathan Abramowitz, Seymour Barab, Richard Locker and Charles McCracken – cello Jean Dane, Theodore Israel, Sue Pray and Emanuel Vardi – viola Harry Cykman, Lewis Eley, Max Ellen, Louis Gabowitz, Diana Halprin, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, John Pintavalle, Matthew Raimondi, Herbert Sorkin and Richard Sortomme – violin