Bob James - One (1978 Japanese CTI Limited Edition Vinyl LP)

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Sleeve: EX
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Bob James - One Vinyl LP - Limited Edition Japanese CTI Reissue

Bob James' debut as a leader for CTI Records, One established the keyboardist and arranger as a major force in 1970s fusion and jazz-funk. Recorded at Van Gelder Studio between February and April 1974 with an all-star cast and released in this limited edition Japanese pressing in 1978 as part of CTI's Original 1500 Series, the album showcases James' gifts as both a Fender Rhodes virtuoso and a sophisticated arranger capable of blending jazz improvisation with lush orchestration and infectious grooves.

The album opens with "Valley Of The Shadows", immediately establishing the CTI aesthetic: James' electric piano over Steve Gadd's crisp drumming, supported by strings, horns, and Ralph MacDonald's percussion. The production is immaculate, every element perfectly balanced in Rudy Van Gelder's engineering and producer Creed Taylor's vision of accessible, beautifully recorded jazz.

"In The Garden" and "Soulero" continue the fusion of jazz sophistication with pop accessibility. James' arrangements incorporate full string and horn sections (featuring jazz luminaries like Thad Jones, Jon Faddis, and Lew Soloff among the trumpeters) without ever sounding overly orchestrated or saccharine. His keyboard work balances technical facility with melodic clarity, influenced equally by bebop pianists and contemporary R&B.

Side two opens with "Night On Bald Mountain", James' audacious jazz-funk reimagining of Modest Mussorgsky's classical composition. This track exemplifies the early 1970s fusion movement's ambition, taking a 19th-century Russian tone poem and transforming it into a vehicle for contemporary jazz improvisation. Steve Gadd's drumming here is particularly remarkable, his precision and musicality making complex rhythms sound effortless.

"Feel Like Making Love", originally a Roberta Flack hit, receives an instrumental treatment that emphasises its romantic melody while adding jazz harmonic sophistication. The album closes with "Nautilus", which became one of the most sampled tracks in hip-hop history. Built on a hypnotic groove with Idris Muhammad replacing Gadd on drums, the track's infectious bass line (Gary King) and James' electric piano riff have been sampled by countless artists, making this one of the most culturally influential jazz-funk recordings of the era.

The personnel throughout is exceptional. Beyond the rhythm section of King, Gadd, and Muhammad, the album features virtuoso trumpeter Jon Faddis, Count Basie Orchestra veteran Thad Jones, and studio guitarist Richie Resnicoff. The string section, featuring some of New York's finest classical musicians, adds lushness without overwhelming the jazz elements.

This Japanese pressing, manufactured by King Record Co. Ltd. and distributed through their CTI partnership, represents the label's commitment to superior vinyl quality. Part of the CTI Original 1500 Series, this limited edition reissue offers the pristine sound quality essential to appreciating Van Gelder's engineering and the album's detailed arrangements. The CTI aesthetic of beautiful packaging and audiophile-quality pressing makes this an attractive edition for both James collectors and CTI completists.