Flim The Bb's

Released in 1986, this album not only stands as a genre-defining primer on what has become known as smooth jazz, but it also helped launch the careers of various artists whose music has been crucial to the genre's vitality. In addition to composer/guitarist/producer Russ Freeman and the Ripps, there's David Benoit (playing a gorgeous piano melody on "Mirage"), keyboardist Gregg Karukas, bassist Jimmy Johnson (who scored hits with Flim & the BBs), saxmen Brandon Fields and Dave Koz (whose floating Electronic Wind Instrument melody guides the silky "Dreams"), and some soprano-wielding guy named Kenny G.

Live In Japan 1984 marks an end-point in the first phase of Allan Holdsworth’s touring career as group leader. It’s his first posthumous release approved by his family estate.Herein is the closing live set of Holdsworth’s “I.O.U.” band, featuring live versions of material from his first three studio releases starting with Allan Holdsworth, I.O.U., and followed by the Grammy-nominated Rood Games. With a young, new rhythm section recruited locally after his permanent move to Southern California, Holdsworth continued with the core of this band as a power trio featuring drummer Chad Wackerman and Jimmy Johnson…

Live In Japan 1984 marks an end-point in the first phase of Allan Holdsworth’s touring career as group leader. It’s his first posthumous release approved by his family estate.Herein is the closing live set of Holdsworth’s “I.O.U.” band, featuring live versions of material from his first three studio releases starting with Allan Holdsworth, I.O.U., and followed by the Grammy-nominated Rood Games…