''Obsession'' is an album by
Bob James. It was James's first solo album for
Warner Bros. Records after around a decade with CBS.
Review
On
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Music ...
, Jason Elias wrote: "''Obsession'' displays the often chilly sounds of period synthesizers. The only vocal track, 'Gone Hollywood', co-written by Lenny White, has good keyboard textures and plaintive vocals from
Lisa Fischer
Lisa Fischer (born December 1, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter. She found success with her 1991 debut album ''So Intense'', which produced the Grammy Award–winning hit single "How Can I Ease the Pain". She has been a back-up singer ...
and blistering guitar solos from
Steve Khan.
..While many might be put off by the pure 1980s production values of '3AM' and 'Rousseau', luckily, they have compelling arrangements to ward off boredom. The album's best song, 'Rain', is a methodical and pretty track that is an essential for devotees of the often-maligned late-1980s jazz-pop era. ''Obsession'' certainly works better than ''12'' and is a suitable continuation of the style of early-'80s albums ''The Genie'' and ''Sign of the Times''.
Track listing
#"Obsession" (Micheal Colina, Bob James) - 6:04
#"Gone Hollywood" (Alan Palanker, Vaneese Thomas, Lenny White) - 6:11
#"3 A.M." (Lenny White, Bernard Wright) - 5:24
#"Rousseau" (Micheal Colina) - 6:01
#"Rain" (Bob James) - 6:53
#"Steady" (Bob James) - 5:41
#"Feel the Fire" (Gary King) - 4:32
Personnel
*
Bob James – keyboards, computer programming
*
Michael Colina – computer programming, drum programming
*
Steve Khan – guitar, guitar solo (2)
* Nick Moroch – guitar, guitar solo (3)
*
Marcus Miller
William Henry Marcus Miller Jr. (born June 14, 1959) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his work as a bassist. He has worked with trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Herbie Hancock, singer Luther Vandros ...
– bass guitar
* Ray Bardani – drum programming
* Lenny White – drum programming (2)
*
Michael Brecker
Michael Leonard Brecker (March 29, 1949 – January 13, 2007) was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. He was awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of M ...
– saxophone,
EWI solo (4)
* Andy Snitzer – saxophone
*
Kirk Whalum
Kirk is a Scottish and former Northern English word meaning "church". It is often used specifically of the Church of Scotland. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it.
Basic meaning and etymology
As a common noun, ''kirk' ...
– saxophone, sax solo (6)
*
Randy Brecker
Randal Edward Brecker (born November 27, 1945) is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer. His versatility has made him a popular studio musician who has recorded with acts in jazz, rock, and R&B.
Early life
Brecker was born on No ...
– trumpet
*
Jon Faddis
Jon Faddis (born July 24, 1953) is an American jazz trumpet player, conductor, composer, and educator, renowned for both his playing and for his expertise in the field of music education. Upon his first appearance on the scene, he became known ...
– trumpet
*
Sharon Bryant – vocals
* Renee Diggs – vocals
*
Lisa Fischer
Lisa Fischer (born December 1, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter. She found success with her 1991 debut album ''So Intense'', which produced the Grammy Award–winning hit single "How Can I Ease the Pain". She has been a back-up singer ...
– vocals, lead vocals (2)
*
Vaneese Thomas
Vaneese Yseult Thomas (born August 24, 1952) is an American R&B, jazz and soul blues singer, best known for her 1987 US ''Billboard'' R&B chart hit single, "Let's Talk It Over". In addition, in more recent times, she has supplied backing vocal ...
– vocals
Production
* Bob James – producer
* Michael Colina – producer
* Ray Bardani – producer, engineer, mixing
*
George Marino – mastering
* Janet Levinson – art direction, design
* James Endicott – illustration
* John Russell – photography
;Studios
* Recorded at Minot Sound (White Plains, New York) and Remedi Sound (Ardsley-On-Hudson, New York).
* Mixed at Minot Sound
* Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York).
References
{{Authority control
1986 albums
Bob James (musician) albums
Albums produced by Bob James (musician)
Albums produced by Michael Colina
Warner Records albums