Various Artists – GRP Digital Sampler: On The Cutting Edge (1989)

So I picked up this CD because 1) it came with its longbox (see below), and 2) I've always been a fan of '80s smooth jazz releases on GRP so a sampler should be right in my wheelhouse. But then I gave the CD booklet a closer inspection and I see these words across the top of the album art: "CD+G: The New Revolution in Sight and Sound." What's all this, then?

New to me, it turns out CD+G is a format that takes advantage of unused data channels on a CD to embed low-resolution graphics on the same disc as the audio. If you're interested in the technical specifics of how the CD+G works, check out CD+G Revealed by Jim Bumgardner. I couldn't understand it, but then again, I made grades in science courses that rhyme with "C" and weren't B's.

Here's an example of the graphics contained on this disc, mainly cover art and lyrics. Not much to look at now, but I would have been blown away by this kind of thing back in the late '80s:

Oh, did I mention you need a compatible player that contains video outputs so you can hook up your player to your television to see the video while the CD plays?

Needless to say, the mainstream CD companies opted to use it on a limited basis, if at all. However, such technology played right into the hands of karaoke lovers and they utilized the technology for many years. More on the CD+G format is available at The CD+G Museum and, of course, Wikipedia.

But what about the music here? At first listen, I was put off by all the synths, LinnDrums, and production tricks of the time. But I was eventually able to mentally time-travel back to 1989 and listen with that mindset. As such, I found a number of tunes here to like. Only one tune has previously appeared here on the blog, track 7 taken from the wonderful Lee Ritenour album, Festival.

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

Tracks: 12 tracks, 62 minutes. Links go to CD+G content for each track. Included with the title and artist below is the album and it's peak on one of the Billboard jazz charts.

1. Sailing Through The City by David Benoit from the 1988 album Urban Daydreams (#4).
   Upbeat piece with piano melody from keyboardist Benoit. Written by Don Grusin and features Eric Marienthal on alto sax and Judd Miller on Electronic Valve Instrument, a synth trumpet.
2. Crucial 2 Grooveby Omar Hakim from the 1989 album Rhythm Deep.
   Former member of Weather Report and prolific studio drummer Hakim shows off his writing, playing, and vocal chops on this R&B piece that is definitely of its time.
3. Tourist In Paradise by The Rippingtons from the 1989 album Tourist In Paradise (#4).
   I dig this fun, upbeat instrumental pop from Russ Freeman and the gang. Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, and Korg synths all get a credit but the band (including vocalist Carl Anderson and saxophonist Brandon Fields) sound like they're having a blast.
4. National Amnesia by New York Voices from the 1989 album New York Voices (#9).
   New York Voices are a vocal jazz quintet along the lines of Manhattan Transfer and/or Rare Silk. The lyrics of this original shuffle, written by group member Darmon Meader, tackles timely events such as apartheid and Black Monday. The mix is a bit percussive, but it sure has a catchy chorus.
5. Spain by Chick Corea from the 1989 album Chick Corea Akoustic Band (#1).
   Pianist Corea and the rest of his trio (John Patitucci, bass & Dave Weckl, drums) take on one of Corea's most famous pieces. The acoustic performance is a nice change of pace. The album won the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.
6. Thankful N' Thoughtful by Dave Grusin from the 1984 album Night-Lines (#4).
   Some big names here including Phoebe Snow, David Sanborn, and Marcus Miller. But nobody has any business attempting a smooth jazz cover of a Sly Stone song. When you own the record label, I guess you can do whatever you want.
7. Night Rhythms by Lee Ritenour from the 1988 album Festival (#3).
   A Brazilian-influenced piece from Ritenour on acoustic guitar, along with Dave Grusin, Omar Hakim, Marcus Miller, plus a nice contribution on tenor from Ernie Watts.
8. On The Corner by John Patitucci from the 1989 album On The Corner (#14).
   A funky original with lots of slappin' from bassist Patitucci (who appears quite a bit on this compilation). There's Judd Miller again on the Electronic Valve Instrument which does a great imitation of a trumpet with a Harmon mute.
9. Funny (But I Still Love You) by Diane Schuur from the 1988 album Talkin' 'Bout You.
   Schuur is accompanied by Richard Tee, Will Lee, and Steve Gadd for this bluesy cover of an early Ray Charles tune. With a line up like that, this can't miss. And it doesn't. Tee offers a beautifully restrained solo on piano.
10. Cookin' by Kevin Eubanks from the 1988 album The Searcher (#16).
    A funky original from guitarist Eubanks. An odd one, it's just the bass-like guitar licks underneath Bobby McFerrin-like vocals from Mark Ledford and beat box from Duane "Cook" Broadnax. Eubanks is currently appearing in syndication as Jay Leno's sidekick/straight man on the latest incarnation of You Bet Your Life.
11. I'm Gonna Wait On Your Love by Eric Marienthal from the 1989 album Round Trip.
    A great adult contemporary tune, it was released as a single but failed to chart. Shame. Paticucci is here again on bass, as are fantastic vocals from Chicago singer Lou Pardini. One of the better tunes on the compilation.
12. My Place In The Sun by Special EFX from the 1988 album Confidential (#15).
    Special EFX featured guitarist Chieli Minucci - he wrote the piece and plays both acoustic and electric guitars on this piece. The performances are good and the tune is pleasant enough, just not very memorable.
13. Blackwood by Eddie Daniels from the 1989 album Blackwood.
    Clarinet certainly isn't a typical smooth jazz instrument, but I really dig this piece. Catchy accompaniment lines underneath Daniels' incredible tone.
14. On The Rise by Deborah Henson-Conant from the 1989 album On The Rise.
    I'm not wild about jazz harp and the fact that this piece never really goes anywhere isn't helping. But I'll give it a few bonus points for featuring "Blue Lou" Marini on soprano saxophone.

click images to enlarge.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.