No one in jazz has had a career quite like Bob James’s. From hair-raising avant-garde to slick smooth jazz with barely a blip. Scott Walker in reverse. The American keyboard player beloved of yuppies and rappers alike is now swerving the synths to focus on…Continue Reading @ THE TIMES.
Browsing February, 2022
Jazz Times Reviews FEEL LIKE MAKING LIVE!
Bob James made his name in fusion and smooth jazz, but some of us believe the pianist’s acoustic trio records represent his highest art. His 1996 album Straight Up, with bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade, and 2004’s Take It from the Top, with bassist James Genus and drummer Billy Kilson, are career highlights and gems of their genre. Those records will never escape the shadow of 1978’s Touchdown or 1975’s One, but now James gives us the best of both worlds, revisiting his biggest hits in a trio format and tossing in other tunes.
Despite its title, Feel Like Making LIVE! isn’t a concert recording. It was recorded “live in the studio” with old pal Kilson and young bassist Michael Palazzolo, who’s been in James’ bands for several years now. Rather than swing like a bop trio, they play classy, R&B- and pop-tinged jazz that’s both accessible and adventurous.
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Why So Blu Examines FEEL LIKE MAKING LIVE! (Blue-Ray)
For Jazz enthusiasts and those in the music industry, the name Bob James rings true with that of an accomplished musician and composer. For the unfamiliar, it likely sounds as the most common of names. Rest assured that his accomplishments and skill are not of the common variety though. The 4k Blu-ray release, Feel Like Making LIVE! Bob James Trio, both recaps his background and highlights his band’s talent, with a certain emphasis on the latter. Let’s delve into the DNA of this ultra high definition disc and breakdown the anatomy of its delivery.
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DownBeat Review of FEEL LIKE MAKING LIVE!
Pianist/composer Bob James and his trio waste no time presenting his popular credentials with “Angela,” and from here across the tracks, so to speak, to “Westchester Lady,” it’s smooth elegant
sailing for the music veteran. An almost uninterrupted mood of easy listening pervades FEEL LIKE MAKING LIVE! as James and bassist Michael Palazzolo and drummer Billy Kilson give fresh turns to several tunes from the keyboardist’s standard repertoire. “Feel Like Makin’ Love” is at the center of these reflections — from which the album’s title is derived — and it brings back memories even if devoid of Roberta Flack’s incomparable voice or David McMurray’s flute in a subsequent date a decade ago.
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Straight No Chaser with Bob James
Bob James chats with Jeffrey Siegel on the award-winning podcast “Straight No Chaser” to talk about touring again, the new album FEEL LIKE MAKING LIVE!, and fOURPLAY.
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Jazz Across the Pond Interview
Bob James sits down with Jazz Across the Pond with hosts Roger “The Jazz Cat” Lee & Kevin “Mr. G” Goolsby.