Pianist-composer Bob James has been a mainstay on the contemporary jazz scene from the early '70s to today. His bell-like electric piano sound made him a radio favorite and a Grammy Award winner. This two-CD set contains James's greatest hits. There are the hip-hop sampled, snappy CTI label smashes like "Nautilus" and "Westchester Lady," as well as the plaintive "Touchdown" and the popular "Angela (The Theme from Taxi)" from his Columbia Records days. But there's also "Hockney" and the classical work, "Farandole," which showcase his beautiful acoustic jazz piano sound and his overlooked arranging skills. This compendium includes a multitude of sideman and collaborators, including Hubert Laws, Jon Faddis, Earl Klugh, Ron Carter, and David Sanborn. "Brighton by the Sea" with Grover Washington Jr. (originally appearing on James's H album), is rhythmically revamped with a zesty 21st-century drum & bass remix, showing that the music of Bob James is melodic, moving, and modern. --Eugene Holley Jr.

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Media Type: CD
Artist: JAMES/SANBORN
Title: DOUBLE VISION
Street Release Date: 07/07/1987
Domestic
Genre: JAZZ

2009 two CD release, the ultimate retrospective of one of the most widely respected, influential and successful Jazz artists of the last 30 years. Packaged in a deluxe digipak with a 32-page full color booklet including many rare photos, extensive notes and an interview with Bob James conducted last year by respected journalist Charles Waring. 26 tracks including 'Angela (Theme From Taxi)'. Salvo.

Adorned with contributions from roughly two dozen friends and guests, Joy Ride serves as a smooth-jazz group hug, and at its center is pianist Bob James, exuding warmth and ample feel-good energy throughout this disc's 12 selections. Concluding his fourth decade as a recording artist, the ageless pianist surrounds himself with a new guest list on almost every track, and the diversified results are flavorful, predictable, and eminently satisfying for fans of the genre. James's rotating ensemble at times included guitarist Chuck Loeb (who also produced and helped write two cuts), Boney James (who glows on the album's lone sax-dominated tune, "Raise the Roof,"), Chris Botti, Lee Ritenour, Norman Brown, Jonathan Butler and, well, on it goes. Name a musical flavor--urban, pop, funk, R&B, even faint traces of world music--and James stirs it into his stew for all seasons. --Terry Wood