ProJazz.net

Lucky Seven is the seventh album by jazz keyboardist Bob James, released in 1979. It peaked at No. 42 on the Billboard 200.

“As much as I am constantly saddened by the Smooth Jazz trend that sucked jazz artists away from the funky and adventurous music of 1975-76’s peak years of Jazz-Rock Fusion (with, I’m sure, considerable pressure from their record labels), I must here acknowledge the continuous trend of maturity and sophistication I’ve seen in Bob James’ work since his debut album. And he does get some great, really high-quality performances out of his studio musicians.

B/four stars; an excellent contribution to the better side of the Smooth Jazz lexicon.” (Jazz Music Archive).

Track listing:
All songs are written by Bob James except where noted.

“Rush Hour” – 6:39
“Blue Lick” – 5:31
“Look-Alike” – 5:30
“Big Stone City” – 5:42
“Friends” (Neil Jason, Kash Monet, Jeff Schoen) – 4:41
“Fly Away” – 6:44

Personnel:
Bob James – acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Oberheim Polyphonic synthesizer, arrangements and conductor
Hiram Bullock – electric guitar (1, 4–6)
Eric Gale – electric guitar (2, 3)
Steve Khan – acoustic guitar (3)
Richard Resnicoff – acoustic guitar (5, 6)
Neil Jason – bass (1, 2, 4, 5)
Gary King – bass (3, 6)
Steve Gadd – drums (1, 2)
Andy Newmark – drums (3)
Idris Muhammad – drums (4–6)
Jimmy Maelen – percussion (1, 2, 4–6)
Ralph MacDonald – percussion (3)

Brass and Woodwinds:

Michael Brecker – saxophone solo (4)
David Sanborn – saxophone
George Marge – woodwinds
Wayne Andre – trombone
Dave Taylor – trombone
Randy Brecker – trumpet
Jon Faddis – trumpet
Mike Lawrence – trumpet
James Buffington – French horn
Peter Gordon – French horn

Strings:

David Nadien – concertmaster
Jonathan Abramowitz and Charles McCracken – cello
Lamar Alsop and Theodore Israel – viola
Lamar Alsop, Max Ellen, Barry Finclair, Diana Halprin, Harry Lookofsky, Marvin Morgenstern, Herbert Sorkin and Richard Sortomme – violin

Vocals:

Patti Austin – backing vocals
Hiram Bullock – backing vocals
Bob James – backing vocals
Neil Jason – lead vocals (5)
Jeff Schoen – backing vocals

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Released: August 1979
Recorded: 1979
Studio:
A&R Recording, Mediasound, Sound Mixers and The Power Station (New York City, New York)
Length: 34:51
Label: Tappan Zee
Producer: Bob James