Bob James - One, Two and Three

One - (1974)

After putting days and days thinking of a title for his first solo album Bob James finally came up with this.

This is the first of James' legendary Jazz-Funk trilogy that he recorded with CTI and included many of the great musicians that were doing the rounds back in the day. Nautilus also provides samples for almost 60 other artists including Run DMC, Eric B and Rakim, Kruder and Dorfmeister, Ultramagnetic MCs, Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Soul II Soul and Public Enemy.

1. Valley of the Shadows
2. In The Garden
3. Soulero
4.Night On Bald Mountain
5. Nautilus


Personnel includes: Bob James (keyboards); Grover Washington Jr. (soprano saxophone); Jon Faddis, Thad Jones (trumpet, flugelhorn); Hugh McCracken (harmonica); Dave Friedman (vibraphone); Rickie Resnicoff (guitar); Eric Weissberg (pedal steel guitar); Gary King (bass); Steve Gadd, Idris Muhammad (drums); Ralph MacDonald (percussion).


Two - (1975)

After the brain workout involved in naming his début Mr James just went right ahead and stuck with the theme.

Two is just as downright cool as its predecessor and possibly even more sampled because he pretty much sticks with the same musicians that made the previous year's album such a seminal work.

1. Take Me to the Mardi Gras
2. I Feel a Song (In My Heart)
3. Golden Apple
4. Farandole (L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2)
5. You're as Right as Rain
6. Dream Journey

Personnel: Bob James (electric piano, Clavinet); Lani Groves, Patti Austin, Zachary Sanders, Frank Floyd (vocals); Eric Gale (guitar, bass instrument); Richie Resnicoff (guitar); Hubert Laws (flute, electric flute); Eddie Daniels (clarinet); Lew Soloff, Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker, Victor Paz, John Frosk (trumpet, flugelhorn); Peter Gordon , Jimmy Buffington, Al Richmond (French horn); Eddie Bert, Tom Mitchell, Wayne Andre, Tony Studd (trombone); Gary King (bass instrument); Andrew Smith, Steve Gadd (drums); Ralph MacDonald, Arthur Jenkins (percussion).



Three - (1976)

Ok, so now he's just showing off. Three brilliant albums and three original titles.

This is in my opinion the best of the lot. Probably just because of Westchester Lady.


1. One Mint Julep
2. Women of Ireland
3. Westchester Lady
4. Storm King
5. Jamaica Farewell


Personnel: Bob James (keyboards); Eric Gale, Hugh McCracken, Jeff Mironov (guitar); Gloria Agostini (harp); Harold Kohon, David Nadien, Matthew Raimondi (violin); Al Brown (viola); Charles McCracken, Alan Shulman (cello); Eddie Daniels, Hubert Laws, Jerry Dodgion (flute); Grover Washington Jr. (whistle, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff, Marvin Stamm, John Frosk (trumpet); Dave Bargeron, Dave Taylor, Wayne Andre (trombone); Gary King, Will Lee (bass guitar); Harvey Mason, Andrew Newmark (drums); Ralph McDonald (percussion).


One

Two

Three