Note: this release was originally purchased as a CD which was either sold, stolen, traded or lost, then replaced by another CD.
I owned this CD in 1988 when I was trying to finish up my undergraduate studies and recently finding another copy in a used bin was like reconnecting with an old friend. Back in '88, I didn't have many CDs so the few that I had were played quite a bit and this was one of those few. The album features Carlton on acoustic guitar and he receives a lot of support from Kirk Whalum on saxophone and Terry Trotter on keys. There's also a few of Carlton's fellow "West Coast sound" stalwarts in the credits, including Jerry Hey, Rick Marotta, and David Pack. The single released was a cover of the Doobie Brothers' Minute By Minute, which hit #25 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and received a Grammy award in the category of Best Pop Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group or Soloist).
Reviews/ratings:
- CashBox: "bright and melodic fusion date"
- Billboard: "On some past albums, Carlton was seduced by the rock side of fusion, but this leans heavily the other way."
- The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #180
- Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #1
- R&R Jazz Radio National Airplay Chart: #2
- CashBox Jazz: #4
Tracks: It's a smooth listen from top-to-bottom, but my favorites haven't changed since 1988. Of the nine tracks (7 Carlton originals, 2 covers), my top picks include the aforementioned Minute By Minute plus Hello Tomorrow, My Home Away From Home, and a cover of Knock On Wood.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: see above
Previously revisited for the blog:
Fingerprints (2000)
Larry & Lee (1995)
Collection (1990)
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