James Rhodes

There's very little to distinguish Lucky Seven from Heads, Sign of the Times, Touchdown and other forgettable studio albums that Bob James recorded in the late 1970s. The keyboardist had carved out a niche for himself playing uncreative background music, and he obviously felt that the easiest way to maintain his commercial success was to make sure one studio project was as contrived and formulaic as the next. Despite employing such talented musicians as Michael & Randy Brecker, Eric Gale and Steve Khan, Lucky Seven is remarkably boring. "Rush Hour" and "Big Stone City" sound like 1970s movie music at its corniest, and the adult contemporary number "Friends" is unbearably insipid. Whether you're looking for jazz, R&B, disco or pop, Lucky Seven is among the many James albums that should be avoided.

James Taylor had scored eight Top 40 hits by the fall of 1976 when Warner Brothers marked the end of his contract with this compilation.

Bob James walked the line between jazz and electronica on this album from 1982, which was his follow-up to the very successful pop-influenced Sign of the Times.