ProJazz.net

Love and Other Obsessions is a studio album by the American jazz group Spyro Gyra, released in 1995 by GRP Records.

Reception

“Maybe things were simpler in the ’70s, when the birth of what we now call contemporary jazz or pop instrumental really occurred. Long before anyone gave much thought to what to call it, there was one thing we could count on: the fact that a bunch of solid jazz players from Buffalo with a funny band name could dish it up and make it fun. In an industry where the latest sonic trends emerge and disappear in brief flashes of expectation and disappointment, Spyro Gyra’s constantly evolving musical vision has made them the most consistent, popular, and enduring of all contemporary jazz ensembles. ” – AllMusic.

Track listing
“Lost and Found” (Jay Beckenstein) – 5:09
“Ariana” (Jeremy Wall) – 5:07
“Serengeti” (Dave Samuels) – 4:54
“Fine Time to Explain” (Scott Kreitzer) – 4:40
“Third Street” (Beckenstein) – 4:48
“Group Therapy” (Beckenstein, Scott Ambush, Julio Fernandez, Joel Rosenblatt, Samuels, Tom Schuman) – 5:45
“Horizon’s Edge” (Beckenstein) – 5:01
“Let’s Say Goodbye” (Kreitzer, Anthony Pompa) – 4:32
“On Liberty Road (for South Africa)” (Ambush) – 5:52
“Rockin’ a Heart Place” (Beckenstein, Rosenblatt) – 5:23
“Baby Dreams” (Schuman) – 4:43

Personnel
Spyro Gyra:

Jay Beckenstein – saxophones, arrangements (1, 5, 6)
Tom Schuman – keyboards, arrangements (6, 11)
Julio Fernandez – guitars, arrangements (6, 10)
Scott Ambush – bass, arrangements (6, 9)
Joel Rosenblatt – drums, arrangements (6)

Additional Musicians, Arrangements and Vocals:

Russell Ferrante – keyboards (3), arrangements (3)
Steve Skinner – drum programming (2)
Sammy Merendino – drum programming (5)
Bashiri Johnson – percussion
Dave Samuels – vibraphone, marimba, mallet synthesizer, marching drum, arrangements (6)
Chieli Minucci – arrangements (2)
Alex Acuña – arrangements (3)
Vaneese Thomas – vocals (2)
Billy Cliff – lead vocals (3, 4), backing vocals (8)
Keith Fluitt – backing vocals (4, 8)
Jana Jillis – backing vocals (4, 8)
Anthony Michael Pompa – backing vocals (4, 8), arrangements (8)
Barrington “Bo” Henderson – lead vocals (8)
Deniece Williams – lead vocals (8)
Wondress Hutchinson – backing vocals (8)

No Sweat Horns:

Scott Kreitzer – saxophones, alto flute, flute, bass clarinet, horn arrangements, arrangements (4, 7, 8)
Randy Andos – trombone, bass trombone
Barry Danielian – trumpet, flugelhorn

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Released: March 14, 1995
Recorded: 1994–1995
Studio:
BearTracks Studios (Suffern, New York)
Length: 55:54
Label: GRP
Producer: Jay Beckenstein Jeremy Wall