Repercussions - Charmed Life (1997)

Japanese Import

A weak follow up to 1995's Earth and Heaven, this album loses a big name producer (Gary Katz) and label (Reprise), but it's still got a few tracks of funky, danceable acid jazz and nu soul. With no label backing, there aren't many of the big name guest artists that played on the earlier disc, so this joint is missing the horns and solos of the previous album. It doesn't quite measure up to the earlier release; I'd classify it as a sophomore slump. This is the mixed bag you'd expect from an album with a hodge-podge of lead vocalists and producers. On the first album, the group sounded like its main influence was Incognito; this album sounds more like Soul II Soul for the first half while much of the last half has a drum & bass beat.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart (evidence suggests this album was released only in Japan).

Tracks:  My picks today are Remember, Moving On, and the lead track Love Again which, according to the obi strip (below), is a "super hit tune" and the "ZIP-FM 4th Anniversary Song." Tracks 5 & 8, Let The Games Begin and Love Me Now are a little too hip-hoppy for my tastes so I usually skip those along with From The Control Tower and the drum & bass stuff of the latter half, with the exception of Natural High (the penultimate track), which has a sweet slow groove workin'. The album closes with a below average acoustic number, wha?

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Earth And Heaven (1995)

Robert Randolph & The Family Band - Colorblind (2006)

Feel good music for feel good people. After loving the first two RR albums, I immediately bought this CD the week of its release. This album doesn't quite measure up to those two, but that would be a tough order to fill. No matter, this album has its share of great tracks. If it's possible to shred a pedal steel guitar, Randolph does so, and on every track (he even upstages Eric Clapton on track 5!). Lots of influence here from Mark Batson and Dave Matthews who had recently finished working together on Stand Up. I don't listen to this one as much as I should, probably because when I grab a RR CD from the shelves, I pick up one of the first two albums. Embarrassingly and inexplicably, I haven't purchased the Randolph albums released after this one. I should rectify that shortly.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #75

Tracks:  The stellar tracks here are Ain't Nothing Wrong With That, Deliver Me, and Thrill Of It. Also good are Diane, Stronger (featuring powerful vocals from Leela James), and Love Is The Only Way. I'll skip Angels, the humdrum rote cover of Jesus Is Just Alright, and Blessed.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  None, but I sure wish I had a concert story to go along with this one. I should rectify that shortly.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Unclassified (2003)
Live at The Wetlands (2002)

Tom Scott - Target (1983)

Note: this release was originally purchased as a LP (twice), later replaced by a CD.

A few weeks back, I posted about Prince's Around the World in a Day album and because the packaging was part of the attraction of that CD, I included photos of the contents, including the following:

An astute reader quickly pointed out to me that my CD was a "target CD." Since I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, I assumed this meant that my CD was originally purchased at a Target store - I bought my copy from eBay, so I have no idea as to the original point of purchase. It turns out that "target" refers to the design on the face of the disc (which resembles more of a gun sight than a target, but I digress). I won't go into the whole deal, but these target CDs are sought after for their alleged superior sound reproduction. If you're interested, there's more about target CDs here and here.

Curious, I looked at every CD I own and found only one other target CD on my shelves, Howard Jones' Dream Into Action. After perusing several lists of target CDs, I decided to purchase another to do an A-B type test against vinyl. And what better target CD to get than one titled Target? [rimshot] And that's how we got here today. Now on to the music.

It's not Scott's best album and since I was (am) such a huge fan of Apple Juice, nothing could possibly have lived up to my expectations. Some good tracks, but overall it's hit-or-miss. Downbeat magazine gave the album ★★★ and stated "There are some very tasty moments on this disc" while Thom Jurek over at allmusic.com writes "It's the sound of a restless musician who gets the pop game, or at least has gotten it and is not sure of where to shift his focus next." Sounds about right. Still, I like the album's good tracks enough to buy them 3 times.

As for the target CD sound, all I can testify to is the fact that this CD sounds better than my vinyl or any streaming music delivery system. And thus ends my target CD experiment, thanks for playing along.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #9
• CashBox Jazz: #5
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #2

Tracks:  The top tracks are title number, a stellar cover of Ambrosia's The Biggest Part of Me, and Come Back to Me, an attempt at a soft R&B ballad with vocals from Kenny James. Less enjoyable are Aerobia and Lollopoppin'. Maria Maldaur makes an appearance on the cheesy, drum machine feature He's Too Young while Lee Ving lends his talents to the tune Got To Get Out Of New York. Neither of those two have aged particularly well, but are good enough for an occasional listen. I do enjoy the lyrics to Got To Get Out Of New York as they reference many jazz musicians' penchant for playing only standards without creating new music. Imagine me - listening to lyrics!

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  While this album was released in 1983, I didn't purchase my first copy until 1984. I have specific memories of spinning this album in my college dorm room.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Night Creatures (1995)
Reed My Lips (1994)
Apple Juice (1981)

Faith Hill - This Kiss (1998)

CD Single

A country crossover hit that my wife purchased for minivan listening. I'd rather look at Faith Hill than listen to her, but even I will admit this single is easy to listen to, despite the twang. Never heard the "b-side" (track 2) until today.

Single chart peaks:

• US Billboard Hot 100: #7
• Billboard Adult Contemporary: #3
• Billboard Country: #1

Tracks: We get two, totaling just under 7 minutes. Like I've said, This Kiss is enjoyable, particularly the syncopated chorus. The other track is Better Days, track 5 from Hill's 1997 album, Faith. Pass.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  None

Grover Washington, Jr. - Mister Magic (1975)

The smooth jazz pioneer teams up with some top-notch artists on this release, including keyboardist/composer Bob James, percussionist/composer Ralph MacDonald, guitarist Eric Gale, trumpeter Jon Faddis, and legendary producer Creed Taylor. The whole thing has the unmistakable sound of Washington's music, so I like it. This album has become one of Washington's best-loved among his fans, most likely on the strength of the title track. However, all four tunes included here make great late night/early morning listening (when I'm able to stay up that late).

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "more than a passing acquaintance with Stanley Turrentine, Gene Ammons, Willis Jackson, and, surprisingly, John Coltrane."
• Billboard: "the mood is definitely righteous jazz"
• Record World: "The magic's in the music and the music's in Mister Washington!"
• Stereo Review: "good, if not terribly exciting"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★½
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200 : #10
• Billboard Jazz: #1
• Billboard R&B: #1
• CashBox: #15

Tracks: As occasionally happens, my least favorite track is the longest: the 12+ minute album opener, Earth Tones. That's followed by a beautifully lush arrangement of Billy Strayhorn's 1941 standard, Passion Flower. The highlight of the album is the laid back funk of the title track, which was edited and released as a single (#54 pop, #16 R&B). The album closes with the slow-burn groove of Black Frost. In my mind, tracks 1 and 4 should have been swapped, but that's just me finding something to complain about.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Prime Cuts: The Columbia Years 1987-1999 (1999)
All My Tomorrows (1994)
Time Out of Mind (1989)
Anthology of Grover Washington, Jr. (1985)
Skylarkin' (1980)