Just over 20 years ago, long before the coining of the terms "new adult contemporary" and "smooth jazz," keyboardist Jeff Lorber generated a loyal following for a synthesis of sound so fresh and distinctive that only one n... more »ame could really define it: the Jeff Lorber Fusion. Drawing elements from the artists he admired--Earth, Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, Miles Davis, and Weather Report--Lorber fashioned a jazzy funk hybrid that--with the exception of a few disco effects--sounds more fresh than retro even today. The Definitive Collection picks gems from the six Jeff Lorber Fusion LPs that Arista released between 1979 and 1985. The buoyant funk tune "Fusion Juice" sums up the spirit and percussive energy the band had and that the keyboardist has carried into his popular 1990s work. The 16 tracks perfectly represent a time that postdates hard-core, early 1970s jazz-fusion and predates smooth jazz. Despite the glorious melodies, beautiful keyboard passages, and irresistible funk, a few of the spacey synth solos are conspicuously cornball when played today. While Lorber lovers and serious modern-jazz collectors will no doubt thrill to get their hands on this wealth of classic material, fans of both smooth jazz and pop music who don't know Lorber from Count Basie may want to hear it for another reason: the early development of a then-obscure Seattle saxophonist known as Kenny Gorelick (later known as multimillion selling Kenny G). G fans will immediately recognize his soprano tones on the dreamy "Tierra Verde" but will have a harder time picking out his funkier style in the slamming, discoesque "Fusion Juice." This collection is perfect for fans of Lorber's recent smooth-jazz recordings as well as longtime fans that would love to hear these classics fully remastered, without pops and hisses. --Jonathan Widran« less
All Artists:Jeff Lorber Title:Definitive Collection Members Wishing: 4 Total Copies: 0 Label:Arista Original Release Date: 2/22/2000 Release Date: 2/22/2000 Album Type: Original recording remastered Genres:Jazz, Pop Style:Smooth Jazz Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC:078221463928
Synopsis
Amazon.com
Just over 20 years ago, long before the coining of the terms "new adult contemporary" and "smooth jazz," keyboardist Jeff Lorber generated a loyal following for a synthesis of sound so fresh and distinctive that only one name could really define it: the Jeff Lorber Fusion. Drawing elements from the artists he admired--Earth, Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, Miles Davis, and Weather Report--Lorber fashioned a jazzy funk hybrid that--with the exception of a few disco effects--sounds more fresh than retro even today. The Definitive Collection picks gems from the six Jeff Lorber Fusion LPs that Arista released between 1979 and 1985. The buoyant funk tune "Fusion Juice" sums up the spirit and percussive energy the band had and that the keyboardist has carried into his popular 1990s work. The 16 tracks perfectly represent a time that postdates hard-core, early 1970s jazz-fusion and predates smooth jazz. Despite the glorious melodies, beautiful keyboard passages, and irresistible funk, a few of the spacey synth solos are conspicuously cornball when played today. While Lorber lovers and serious modern-jazz collectors will no doubt thrill to get their hands on this wealth of classic material, fans of both smooth jazz and pop music who don't know Lorber from Count Basie may want to hear it for another reason: the early development of a then-obscure Seattle saxophonist known as Kenny Gorelick (later known as multimillion selling Kenny G). G fans will immediately recognize his soprano tones on the dreamy "Tierra Verde" but will have a harder time picking out his funkier style in the slamming, discoesque "Fusion Juice." This collection is perfect for fans of Lorber's recent smooth-jazz recordings as well as longtime fans that would love to hear these classics fully remastered, without pops and hisses. --Jonathan Widran
CD Reviews
At Last!
Kimberly Smith | 03/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a die-hard fan of Jeff Lorber for 20 years! I used to wistfully think to myself..."if only Jeff Lorber would make a CD of his old stuff..." All I can say is THANK YOU!"
This Collection is a God Send!
Tracey L. Love | Chicago, IL | 05/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a Jeff Lorber fan for about 16 years. I had all of his earlier albums and cassettes but unfortunately they were stolen and i've been looking ever since for his recordings especially the Arista series. This won't replace my Jeff Lorber Fusion collection but it will bring back some fond memories. Thanks to whomever is responsible for this discography."
The way it was....how sweet!
D. Crudup | Inglewood, CA USA | 03/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first got hip to Jeff Lober when I started playing bass(1981). The first album I bought was Wizard Island. I learned a lot playing along with that album. Years later I let a drummer used it (hoping he would learn how to keep a pocket). I never saw the album again. I'm very glad to see this CD. It has a lot of good ol jams that I learned on. It truly brings back sweet memories of the good ol days when fusion was fusion. This is what it is all about. I stopped listening to the WAVE type "jazz" about a week and half after they started playing that type of music. I don't know what they are playing now but I know it is not good as what's on this album. I wish the label would re-release the orginals on CD."
Do it right or not at all...
BR | Williamsburg, VA | 03/16/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've also been a Lorber fan since the late 70s, and also have always been annoyed that his recordings from that timeframe have not been available on CD. When I heard about a "Greatest Hits" album, I admittedly had a lukewarm reaction; I hoped for a 2 CD set, which even then would be hard-pressed to include what I feel it should as a minimum Lorber collection. When I found it was only 1, I decided to hold off and just listen to my old albums, since so many great tunes have been left out. For example, everything from Wizard Island and Lift Off should be here. Kenny G? Please - some of Jeff's best stuff had little if any Kenny G on it ("Reflections," for example). But if you're one of these "smooth jazz" fans who would be happy with a sampler of Jeff Lorber's older stuff, it's worth the purchase."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1