Various Artists - Smooth Grooves: Smooth Jazz, Vol. 2 (2000)

Holy smokes! If this isn't the best smooth jazz compilation ever produced, I haven't heard a better one yet. Heck, I've listened to the thing four times just this weekend. From Rhino, naturally, this disc mainly delves into the catalogs of the Elektra and Warner Bros. labels which were all a part of Time Warner when this CD was produced. Tunes selected are from the years 1975-85, which is my sweet spot as that's when I was discovering the genre, often through the very albums represented here.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: Tracks!!! 12 tracks over almost 70 minutes. Included with the title and artist  below is the album and it's peak on the Billboard Jazz LP chart (if you have an interest in those jazz charts, you might enjoy this Whitburnesque aggregate I put together a few years back: Billboard Best Selling Jazz LPs 1976-85) .

1. Come Morning by Grover Washington, Jr. from the 1981 album Come Morning (#1).
2. Love Will Find A Way by George Howard from the 1985 album Dancing In The Sun (#1).
3. As We Speak by David Sanborn from the 1982 album As We Speak (#1).
4. Westchester Lady by Bob James from the 1976 album Three (#2).
5. First Light Of Morning by Dexter Wansel from the 1977 album What The World Is Coming To (#24).
6. Old Town by Steps Ahead from the 1984 album Modern Times (#11).
7. Standing Tall by The Crusaders from the 1981 album Standing Tall (#2).
8. Touch by John Klemmer from the 1975 album Touch (#6).
9. Modern Times Blues by Jean-Luc Ponty from the 1984 album Open Mind (#5).
10. Countdown (Captain Fingers) by Lee Ritenour from the 1981 album "Rit" (#4).
11. Claire's Song by Yellowjackets from the 1983 album Mirage à Trois (#7).
12. Sometimes Bubba Gets Down by Stuff from the 1977 album More Stuff (#7).

I'd rank 'em for ya, but it would be a 7 or 8 way tie for first place and those sorts of lists are pretty much useless.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but I ga-ron-tee I'll find the other two volumes quick like Liam Neesons finds kidnappers (or wolves. or robot boats). Look for them shortly. 🤞

Note: If you like the tracks on this compilation, the following blog should appeal to you: JAZZ LPS - Digging deep into Jazz LPs and charts from the 1970's & 1980's