Various Artists - Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz: Vocals (1999)

Let's spin this Rhino compilation I recently discovered in a used bin. (If you're new to the blog, our motto around here regarding Rhino CD's is: buy it when you see it because they weren't in print for long. So I did. And only $2!) This disc is part of a 4 volume CD series. Tracks date from the years 1969-1994 and many are more pop than jazz, but just because there's seemingly no rhyme or reason to the song selection and sequencing doesn't mean it's a bad compilation at all.

Ironically, the cover includes the words "Joel Whitburn presents." Ironic because, to my knowledge, Whitburn's Record Research imprint has never compiled a book based on the various Billboard jazz charts. But you know who has? This guy right here: Billboard Best Selling Jazz LPs 1976-85.

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

Tracks: 10 tracks, 44 minutes. Included with the title and artist below is the album and it's peak on the Billboard Jazz LP chart. If the single charted elsewhere, that is noted as well.

1. Compared To What (#85 pop, #35 R&B) by Les McCann & Eddie Harris from the 1969 album Swiss Movement (#1).
2. You Are My Starship (#27 pop, #4 R&B) by Norman Conners from the 1976 album You Are My Starship (#2).
3. Walking In Rhythm (#6 pop, #4 R&B, #5 AC) by The Blackbirds from the 1974 album Flying Start (#2).
4. Birdland by The Manhattan Transfer from the 1979 album Extensions (#2).
5. Just The Two Of Us (#2 pop, #3 R&B, #2 AC) by Grover Washington, Jr. from the 1981 album Winelight (#1).
6. Better Days (#44 R&B) by Dianne Reeves from the 1987 album Dianne Reeves (#1).
7. Say You Love Me by Patti Austin from the 1976 album End Of A Rainbow (#31).
8. Louisiana Sunday Afternoon by Diane Schuur from the 1988 album Talkin' 'Bout You (#1).
9. Lies (#27 pop, #5 R&B, #16 AC) by Jonathan Butler from the 1987 album Jonathan Butler (#12).
10. I'll Be Around by Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons from the 1994 album Sahara (#2).

Mostly accurate liner notes
(click image to enlarge)

Today, my top picks are tracks 1-10, with Just The Two Of Us peeking out above the rest. However, I've fallen completely in love with the cuts from Dianne Reeves and Patti Austin - wow! While those two artists can stand completely on their own, the tracks remind me of Anita Baker and Minnie Riperton, respectively.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but it occurs to me that I own far too few of the albums mentioned above. Challenge accepted.