Dr. Lani

For his ninth contemporary jazz release, Bob James brings in the multitalented Rod Temperton, and an all-star vocal cast including Patti Austin, Lani Groves, Major Holley, Luther Vandross, and many others for what only can be described as pure musical magic. The macabre "Hypnotique" with its unintelligible vocals is the ultimate "daytime nightmare". The tempo picks up on the funky "The Steamin' Feeling". We are transported to magical lands with the dreamy "Enchanted Forest". Spyro Gyra frontman Jay Beckenstein shows his stuff on "Unicorn". Bob shows amazing dexterity on both the acoustic piano and Oberheim polyphonic synth. The title song features the vocal cast, as well as some interesting sound effects by Tabby Andriello.

Having hit upon another smash formula – cover versions of pop/rock hits backed by lavish strings, a simplified bossa nova rhythm, and the leader's piano comping – Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 produced two more chart-busting singles, again turning to the Beatles for sustenance with the title track (number six) and Simon & Garfunkel for "Scarborough Fair" (number 16). But again, the bulk of the album was dominated by Brazilians, and by one in particular: the hugely gifted Edu Lobo, whose dramatic "Casa Forte" and infectious "Upa, Neguinho" were the best of his four songs. The tracks were longer now, the string-laden ballads (arranged by Dave Grusin) more lavish and moody, and Lani Hall emerged as the vocal star of the band, eclipsing her new partner, Karen Philipp (although Hall is upstaged on "Lapinha" by future Brasil '77 member Gracinha Leporace).

Richard Wagner - Parsifal - Ein Bühnenfestspiel in drei Aufzügen WWV 111
Christian Elsner / Franz-Josef Selig / Rundfunkchor & Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin / Marek Janowski
4x SACD ISO (2.0/MCH): 10,40 GB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Pentatone # PTC 5186 401 | Country/Year: Netherlands 2012
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic, Opera

"…This dramatic and involving 'Parsifal' raises Marek Janowski's epic Wagnerian journey to a new level of excellence that one hopes will be maintained in the performances and recordings yet to come - an exciting prospect for all Wagnerites!" ~sa-cd.net

An entry within Metro Doubles series, One, Two, Three & BJ4: The Legendary Albums is a two-CD set containing Bob James' first four albums, presented in chronological order. The set is a good way to pick up these four James' discs – not only is it a convenient, concise way to get the records, but they're presented well with good liner notes, including track-by-track commentary by Chris Ingham.