Bob James - Sign Of The Times (1981)

For Sign Of The Times, his tenth contemporary jazz release, Bob James brought in the multi-talented Rod Temperton (he of Quincy Jones, James Ingram and Michael Jackson fame), and an all-star vocal cast including Patti Austin, Lani Groves, Major Holley, Valerie Simpson, Luther Vandross, and many others.
Hypnotique opens the album, built largely around a afro-centric percussion with some tribal background vocals punctuated by an  interlude of thick synthesizer grooves on the choruses. That Steamin' Feelin' is one of the strongest numbers on the album; a foot stomping jazz-funk stepper based on Temperton's trademark bluesy jazz-funk melodies played through beautifully arranged layers of synthesizers. Enchanted Forest showcases James basically being himself, yet the melodicism of the composition itself grows yet more complex from his already elaborate compositions.
Unicorn is a nine minute piece, with a strong latin percussion flavour that's juxtaposed by a melodic sax solo by Jay Beckenstein of Spyro Gyra and glittering electronic synthesizers. Love Power concludes the album on a slow grooving funk note featuring primarily the vocal talents of Vandross and a lean, mean bass line.
And last but by no means least, the title track is a favorite of mine; another classic Temperton number featuring Simpson, Austin and Vandross on some wonderfully eccentric harmonic vocals along with the swinging jazz fanfare on the refrains. As well as being a fine song in its own right, it has been immortalised by being sample by De La Soul in 1991's Keeping The Faith, and most famously by Warren G and Nate Dogg in the 1994 track Regulate.


- FVHK5K

Three Michael Jackson Tracks - Just Not The Obvious Ones

There was a time that Michael Jackson was just known for the music, but then of course as his fame grew, the juggernaut of everything else that attached itself to his image grew and people didn't really take notice of the music.
Strip away the plastic surgery, the chimps, the kids and all that other b.s. and early MJ is still fantastic to the ear.

We're Almost There was released in 1975 and which was the first release off his final Motown album, Forever, Michael. The single showcased Jackson's tenor more prominently than in previous releases the past year. The song is a soul-type of ballad that sparked a departure from the singer's previous material and really showed the first sign of Michael's maturing vocals.

It's the Falling in Love (1979) (a duet with Patti Austin) is a ballad from the Off The Wall album, written & produced by the dynamic duo of Quincy Jones & Rod Temperton.

The Lady In My Life (1982) is an-oft overlooked track from the Thriller album, again a product of Messrs Jones & Temperton. While you have the bells-and-whistles of Beat It, Billie Jean and Thriller catching the public's attention, tracks like this bubble gently in the background and remind you that behind the moonwalk (which probably originated from Cab Calloway in the 1930's, who himself was probably inspired by the stationary walk a mime artist does), MJ's soulful side was still in evidence.