Two Dave Grusin

This set works very well. Dave Grusin and his younger brother Don Grusin use a variety of keyboards to create a series of colorful duets. Other than Dori Caymmi's "Southern Wind," all of the fairly spontaneous yet well-planned performances are originals by one or both of the brothers. Even listeners who are not that much into electronics will find much of interest on this melodic and funky, yet often unpredictable set.

BRASIL, the new album by Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin is a showcase for the unique talents of two of the most successful and influential musicians of their generation - It has been an enduring friendship and collaboration, from playing the famed Baked Potato in Los Angeles in the 70s, to collaborations on Dave's records and films and Lee's albums, plus years of touring together on the biggest stages

BRASIL, the new album by Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin is a showcase for the unique talents of two of the most successful and influential musicians of their generation - It has been an enduring friendship and collaboration, from playing the famed Baked Potato in Los Angeles in the 70s, to collaborations on Dave's records and films and Lee's albums, plus years of touring together on the biggest stages

BRASIL, the new album by Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin is a showcase for the unique talents of two of the most successful and influential musicians of their generation - It has been an enduring friendship and collaboration, from playing the famed Baked Potato in Los Angeles in the 70s, to collaborations on Dave's records and films and Lee's albums, plus years of touring together on the biggest stages

It's much more a classical album rather than jazz. A blend of original compositions and respectful reworkings of timeless classics from Bach, Bartok, Villalobos, Mompov, and Segovia, the collection – which features stellar guest performances by opera star Renee Fleming, violinist Gil Shaham, and cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber – finds Ritenour and Grusin joyously reconnecting with their rich classical roots.

A fabulous title track and a unique place in jazz history. These are just two of the elements which make “Mountain Dance” easily one of the most significant of Dave Grusin's musical offerings. Although originally recorded for JVC in 1979, this was the first Dave Grusin album to be released on his own label, Arista-GRP, in 1980. It not only represented the beginning of the digital age in jazz, but brought forth a piece which could easily be regarded as the Grusin signature tune, the always dazzling and exhilarating “Mountain Dance.” Starting off with the bouncy and infectious charmer, Dave Grusin's own “Rag Bag,” we move on to the mellow “Friends and Strangers,” a real anthem of the smooth side of the GRP sound (concert version to be heard on "GRP All-Stars Live In Japan").

A fairly typical Dave Grusin date from the early days of GRP, this set features five of the keyboardist/producer's originals. The music is often atmospheric and a bit cinematic, with Grusin assisted by the soprano of Grover Washington and flutist Dave Valentin (along with top rhythm section players) on two songs apiece; "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" has Grusin's keyboards joined just by Ron Carter's bass.