Release Date: 17. 4. 1974
Label: CTI
Genre: Jazz Fusion, Smooth Jazz, Pop,
Running Time: 33:58
The debut album by American jazz pianist/keyboardist and Quincy Jones protégé Bob James, simply titled “One” landed in April 1974 to fairly lukewarm reception, only receiving a 2/5 from the Rolling Stone Jazz Album Guide, but the album itself is anything but lukewarm.
Recorded with an all star cast of talent from the then burgeoning scene of jazz fusion, with Gary King on bass, Steve Gadd and Idris Muhammad on drums, Ralph MacDonald on percussion and Grover Washington Jr on soprano sax including many more, at the legendary Van Gelder Jazz Studio with the man himself Rudy Van Gelder serving as engineer.
With this release James solidified his sound and a strong blend of pop sensibilities along with funky, groovy jazz fusion sounds of the 70’s.
Almost guaranteed to be a favorite among samplers, the haunting sounds of the longer tracks like “Night On Bald Mountain” and “Valley Of Shadows”, the soulful, joy and tenderness of “Feel Like Making Love” and pure groove of “Nautilus” make this a 33 minute adventure.
Key highlights:
Night On Bald Mountain
Valley Of Shadows
Feel Like Making Love
Nautilus
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