Two
View on Discogs
View on Wikipedia
View on WhoSampled
Album Summary
Bob James released 'Two' in 1975 on CTI Records, serving as a follow-up to his debut solo album. Produced by Bob James himself, the record was recorded in New York and continued his exploration of jazz-funk fusion, blending lush orchestral arrangements with electric keyboards, rhythm section grooves, and pop-influenced sensibilities. The album reflected the sophisticated studio production aesthetic that CTI Records was known for under the direction of Creed Taylor, featuring polished, high-quality musicianship that distinguished it from more avant-garde jazz releases of the era.
Reception
- The album was well received within the smooth jazz and jazz-funk communities, helping to solidify Bob James's reputation as a leading voice in the genre.
- Critics noted the album's accessible, radio-friendly approach to jazz, which appealed to both jazz enthusiasts and mainstream listeners, contributing to its commercial viability.
Significance
- The album stands as a landmark recording in the development of smooth jazz and jazz-funk fusion, demonstrating how jazz could be blended with orchestral pop production to reach wider audiences.
- The album reinforced CTI Records' cultural role in bridging jazz and popular music during the mid-1970s, influencing a generation of musicians and producers across multiple genres.
- Bob James's keyboard-driven, groove-oriented approach on this album helped lay groundwork for what would later be codified as smooth jazz and contemporary jazz as distinct commercial categories.
Samples
- "Take Me To The Mardi Gras" was sampled in "Passin' Me By" by The Pharcyde in 1992.
- "Farandole (L'Arlesienne Suite #2)" was sampled in "Peter Piper" by Run-DMC in 1986.
Tracklist
-
A1 Take Me To The Mardi Gras 106
5:50
-
A2 I Feel A Song —
5:26
-
A3 The Golden Apple 154
7:20
-
B1 Farandole (L'Arlesienne Suite #2) —
8:24
-
B2 You're As Right As Rain —
5:29
-
B3 Dream Journey —
5:57
Artist Details
Bob James is a silky-smooth jazz pianist and arranger out of Marshall, Missouri, who came into his own in the early 1970s as a key figure at CTI Records before launching his solo career, blending jazz with funk, soul, and lush orchestral arrangements into what the world would come to call jazz fusion or smooth jazz. His records like One, Two, Three, and BJ4 became staples on the airwaves, and his genius for crafting melodic, groove-heavy instrumentals made him one of the most sampled artists in hip-hop history — those opening bars of Nautilus alone built the foundation for countless classic rap tracks decades later. Bob James represents that rare bridge between the sophisticated jazz world and popular culture, earning his place as both a serious musician's musician and a touchstone for generations of artists who came after him.
