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Hands Down is the tenth studio album by Bob James, released in 1982. This was a turning point in James career, with the tracks “It’s Only Me” and “Spunky” being early exponents of electronic jazz.

Track listing
All songs written by Bob James, unless where noted.

“Spunky” – 6:59
“Macumba” (Rod Temperton, Bob James) – 5:11
“Shamboozie” – 5:17
“Janus” – 5:51
“Roberta” (Mike Lawrence) – 6:53
“It’s Only Me” – 5:24

Personnel
Bob James – Fender Rhodes (1–3), synthesizers (1–4, 6), synth bass (2, 6), drum programming (2, 6), acoustic piano (4–6)
Steve Khan – guitars (2, 3)
David Brown – guitars (4)
Gary King – bass (1, 2, 5)
Marcus Miller – bass (3)
Doug Stegmeyer – bass (4)
Harvey Mason – drums (1, 5)
John Robinson – drums (2, 3)
Liberty DeVitto – drums (4)
Leonard ‘Doc’ Gibbs Jr. – percussion (1–4)

Brass and Woodwinds

Rob Zante – lyricon (2)
Jay Beckenstein – alto saxophone (3)
Eddie Daniels – woodwinds (2, 3, 5), tenor saxophone (4)
George Marge – woodwinds (2, 3, 5)
Wally Kane – woodwinds (2, 3)
Whit Sidener – woodwinds (2, 3)
Mark Colby – woodwinds (5)
Jim Pugh – trombone (2, 3, 5)
Dave Taylor – trombone (2, 3, 5)
Wayne Andre – trombone (5)
Jon Faddis – trumpet (2, 3, 5)
Mike Lawrence – trumpet (2, 3)
Ron Tooley – trumpet (2, 3)
Randy Brecker – trumpet (5)
John Frosk – trumpet (5)
Marvin Stamm – trumpet (5)

Strings on “Roberta”

David Nadien – concertmaster
Jonathan Abramowitz, Warren Lash, Richard Locker and Charles McCracken – cello
Lamar Alsop, Alfred Brown and Emanuel Vardi – viola
Elena Barer, Lewis Eley, Max Ellen, Barry Finclair, Theodore Israel, Marvin Morgenstern, Jan Mullen, John Pintavalle, Matthew Raimondi, Joseph Rubushka, Richard Sortomme and Gerald Tarack – violin

Vocals on “Macumba”

Patti Austin, Vivian Cherry, Milt Grayson, Yvonne Lewis, Zach Sanders and Luther Vandross
Rod Temperton – vocal arrangements

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Released: August 15, 1982
Recorded: March–June 1982
Studios:
A&R Recording, CBS Studios and Mediasound (New York City, New York)
Minot Sound (White Plains, New York)
Length: 34:51
Label: Tappan Zee
Producer: Bob James