In Modern Times
Encyclopedia
In Modern Times is the twenty-fifth album by Spyro Gyra
recorded and released in 2001 (see 2001 in music
). This was the first album on Heads Up Records.
Spyro Gyra
Spyro Gyra is an American jazz fusion band that was originally formed in the mid-1970s in Buffalo, New York, USA. With over 25 albums released and 10 million copies sold, they are among the most prolific as well as commercially successful groups of the genre...
recorded and released in 2001 (see 2001 in music
2001 in music
See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
). This was the first album on Heads Up Records.
Review
When you consider that 1979 was the year that launched Spyro Gyra onto the pop charts with their number one hit "Morning Dance," for what was essentially a new style of jazz, their achievements seem all the more astounding. With the release of In Modern Times, the group commemorates 25 years of recording and a move to Heads Up International with this fresh, new collection. The enhanced CD, complete with a video and biography, features the talents of its co-founder, Jay Beckenstein, on saxophones, Tom Schuman on keyboards, Julio Fernandez on guitars, Scott Ambush on bass, and Joel Rosenblatt on drums. The 12 original concepts written by members of the group, the inimitable Chuck Loeb, and co-writers Jeremy Wall and Phil Magallanes, keep the listening interesting, sweet, and real. The opening track, "After Hours," is a sultry tune featuring orchestral enhancement, subtle horn charts, and creates a mood that signals the listener is in for a great time. Their retro soul tribute to Grover Washington, Jr., " "Groovin' for Grover" features an excellent soprano saxophone melody by Jay Beckenstein and glistens brilliantly among this great array of contemporary jazz gems. The crown jewel, however, is "Florida Straits," a fiery, danceable, Latin jam. Beckenstein's sax playing lights a fire under Julio Fernandez' Carlos Santana-influenced guitar riffs, who cuts loose on a solo that sets the song ablaze. Along with percussionist David Quarles and drummer Joel Rosenblatt, this descarga helps to set In Modern Times apart from previous chart makers by Spyro Gyra. Another great song is "East River Blue," which features the bluesy bop and soulful resonance of Beckenstein's sax lines and the excellent B-3 organ solo by Tom Schuman. This enhanced CD is dynamic and flows as if self-propelled because of the superior technology, well-written songs, tight horn charts, eclectic grooves, and exceptional contemporary jazz, fusion, and R&B-based performers who mix various elements into a bold, modern sound.Track listing
- "After Hours" (Jay Beckenstein/Chuck Loeb) - 5:08
- "Feelin' Fine" (Jay Beckenstein) - 4:23
- "Julio's Party" (Julio Fernandez) - 5:08
- "The River Between" (Scott Ambush) - 6:45
- "Groovin for Grover" (Tom Schuman) - 5:50
- "Open Door" (Julio Fernandez) - 4:38
- "Florida Straits" (Jay Beckenstein) - 4:18
- "Feelin' Fine Pt. 2" (Jay Beckenstein/Chuck Loeb) - 4:04
- "East River Blues" (Jay Beckenstein) - 6:14
- "Your Touch" (Jay Beckenstein/Tom Schuman) - 5:10
- "Lucky Bounce" (Jeremy Wall) - 4:18
- "Planet J" (Joel Rosenblatt/Phil Magallanes) - 4:42
Personnel
- Jay BeckensteinJay BeckensteinJay B. Beckenstein is a saxophone player, smooth jazz artist and together with Jeremy Wall founded Spyro Gyra...
- SaxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
s - Tom Schuman - KeyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s - Julio FernandezJulio FernandezJulio Fernández may refer to:*Julio Ángel Fernández, Uruguayan astronomer who hypothesised the existence of what became known as the Kuiper belt*Julio M...
- GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - Joel Rosenblatt - DrumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s - Scott AmbushScott AmbushScott Ambush is an American musician, best known as the bass player of jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra.-Biography:He was born April 28, 1960 in Frederick, Maryland to Webster and Jeanette Lofton Ambush. He attended Urbana Elementary School in Urbana, Maryland, West Frederick Middle, and Frederick High...
- BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Additional musicians
- David CharlesDave CharlesDave Charles, also known as David Charles is a British drummer, recording engineer & record producer. He often appears under both names on the same album, e.g. Help Yourself's The Return of Ken Whaley, where Dave Charles is credited with drums and vocals and David Charles as producer.Charles'...
- Percussion - Marc QuinonesMarc QuiñonesMarc Quiñones is an Puerto Rican American percussionist, a longtime player in salsa music, and a member of the Southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band....
- Percussion on "Florida Straits" - Andrew Lippman - TromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
"Planet J"