Tee Zee

The gang's all here: the in-demand New York session pros that fueled more hit records and seminal fusion cuts that anybody could accurately track down. And who knows how many tracks for TV commercials. Richard Tee came up from North Carolina and added a thick spread of Gospel to the collective sometimes billed as 'Stuff' (and sometimes not billed at all.) Every cut here climbs into a groove and rides.

Digitally re-mastered edition of this 1978 album from the Jazz guitarist. Sunny Side Up was his debut album and a massive hit for all concerned. It contains the Jazz Funk classic "Black Is the Color". The album also includes a much celebrated version of the Bill Withers smash "Lovely Day" while a full cast of musicians on this album includes David Sanborn, Richard Tee, Harvey Mason, Eddie Daniels, Randy Brecker and Eric Gale. Expansion.

Heads is the fifth album by jazz musician Bob James. It was his first album released on his newly formed Tappan Zee label, which was distributed at the time by Columbia Records.

Wilbert Longmire is a guitarist discovered by George Benson and introduced to Bob James to launch his Tappan Zee label through CBS. Like Benson, Wilbert Longmire was a master of the fusion jazz style who could also sing and was prolific in the jazz, funk and soul genres for the 3 albums he made with the label.

This CD holds a very special place in the heart of every true Bob James fan. This may be due in no small part to its sentimental value in relation to nostalgia. HEADS has an overtly sexual quality to it, as may be seen through it's titles (and the number five itself). Musically, it has much to offer. The title song features the interesting sound of the Oberheim polyphonic synth's "tinkle bells". The tour-de-force of the CD is his uptempo version of "We're All Alone", featuring pianist Richard Tee. Bob rides the disco wave in on his version of Peter Frampton's "I'm In You". Both this and the original version of "Nightcrawler" feature saxophonist David Sanborn. Grover Washington, Jr. adds his special touch on "You Are So Beautiful". HEADS closes with an adaptation of Baroque composer Henry Purcell's "One Loving Night", something which can only be skillfully done by arrangers such as Bob James and Don Sebesky. With HEADS, you win!