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One is the first solo album by jazz musician Bob James released in 1974. It followed “Bold Conceptions (1963 on Mercury) and “Explosions (1965 on ESP-Disk). It was an important album in the early smooth jazz genre and is famous for its end track, “Nautilus”, which became culturally important to hip hop as one of the most sampled tracks in American music.

Released on April 17, 1974 this album charted at number two on the Jazz Album Charts.

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow:
Bob James’ first recording for his Tappan Zee label is typically lightweight. Although Grover Washington, Jr. has two spots on soprano, and trumpeter Jon Faddis is in the brass section, James’ dated Fender Rhodes keyboard is the lead voice throughout the six pieces, which include two adaptations of classical works. Only a lightly funky version of “Feel Like Making Love” rises above the level of pleasant background music. (http://www.allmusic.com/album/one-mw0000649581).

Track listing:
“Valley Of The Shadows” (Bob James) – 9:42
“In The Garden” (Johann Pachelbel) – 3:06
“Soulero” (Bob James, Richard Evans) – 3:22
“Night on Bald Mountain” (Modest Mussorgsky) – 5:51
“Feel Like Making Love” (Gene McDaniels) – 6:40
“Nautilus” (Bob James) – 5:08

Personnel:
Bob James – Keyboards, Conductor, Arranger
Grover Washington, Jr. – Soprano Saxophone
Idris Muhammad, Steve Gadd – Drums
Gary King – Bass
Richie Resnicoff – Guitar
Eric Weissberg – Steel Pedal Guitar
Ralph MacDonald – Percussion
Dave Friedman – Vibraphone
Hugh McCracken – Harmonica
Jon Faddis, Thad Jones – Flugelhorn
Alan Rubin, Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff, Marvin Stamm, Thad Jones, Victor Paz – Trumpet
Wayne Andre – Trombone
Alan Raph, Jack Gale, Paul Faulise – Bass Trombone
George Marge, Romeo Penque – Alto Flute
Charles Libove, David Nadien, Emanuel Green, Gene Orloff, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin, Max Ellen, Paul Gershman – Violin
Alan Shulman, Anthony Sophos, Charles McCracken, George Ricci, Jesse Levy, Seymour Barab – Cello

Released: 1974
Recorded: February–April 1974
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs
Genre: Jazz fusion, Smooth jazz
Length: 33:49
Label: CTI Records
CTI 6043
Producer: Creed Taylor