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
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
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