Paradise
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Album Summary
Grover Washington, Jr. laid down 'Paradise' in 1979 and delivered it to the world through Elektra Records — a label that understood what it had in this man and his horn. Coming off one of the most creatively abundant stretches of his career, Washington arrived at this album with a full head of steam, bringing together seasoned studio architects to build something lush, warm, and undeniably soulful. The production lives squarely in that sweet spot Washington had been carving out for years — jazz improvisation wrapped in silky R&B grooves and dressed with pop-leaning arrangements that made the whole thing feel like a cool breeze on a summer night. This was a man who knew exactly who he was in the studio, and 'Paradise' is the sound of that confidence in full bloom.
Reception
- The album performed respectably on the jazz and R&B charts, holding consistent with Washington's well-established commercial pull during this era and drawing in both dedicated contemporary jazz listeners and crossover soul fans.
- Critics took note of Washington's signature saxophone tone — that warm, conversational voice he coaxed out of the instrument — and the album's richly layered production, even as some jazz traditionalists viewed the polished, pop-leaning direction as more of a commercial refinement than an artistic reinvention.
- 'Paradise' further cemented Washington's standing as one of the dominant forces in contemporary jazz as the decade turned, a reputation built on his rare ability to move units without ever losing the soul at the center of his sound.
Significance
- 'Paradise' arrived at a moment when smooth jazz was hardening into its own commercial identity, and this album stands as a textbook example of the late-1970s crossover sound that carried jazz instrumentation deep into R&B and pop territory — reaching ears that a straight-ahead jazz record never could have touched.
- Washington's body of work during this period, 'Paradise' very much included, helped lay the foundation for the mainstream smooth jazz explosion that would define so much of the 1980s and 1990s, casting a long shadow over artists who followed in his wake.
- The album captures something real about where jazz was culturally in 1979 — a music actively negotiating between artistic integrity and the realities of radio, and Washington handled that negotiation with more grace and authenticity than almost anyone else of his generation.
Samples
- Asia's Theme — sampled by numerous hip-hop and R&B producers, recognized as one of the more sought-after grooves from this album's catalog.
- Paradise — has been sampled in hip-hop productions drawn to Washington's melodic saxophone phrases and the track's smooth rhythmic foundation.
Tracklist
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A1 Paradise —
7:55
-
A2 Icey —
3:48
-
A3 The Answer In Your Eyes —
8:24
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B1 Asia's Theme —
5:03
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B2 Shana —
5:06
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B3 Tell Me About It Now —
5:27
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B4 Feel It Comin' —
5:15
Artist Details
Grover Washington, Jr. was an American jazz saxophonist born on December 12, 1943, in Buffalo, New York, who became one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary jazz and smooth jazz throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Blending elements of jazz, R&B, funk, and soul, Washington developed a lush, accessible sound that appealed to both jazz purists and mainstream audiences, helping to define and popularize the genre that would later be known as smooth jazz. His landmark albums, including Mister Magic (1975) and Winelight (1980), were massive commercial successes, with Winelight earning him Grammy Awards and featuring the iconic Bill Withers collaboration Just the Two of Us, which became one of the best-known jazz-pop crossover hits of the era. Washington's ability to bridge the gap between jazz sophistication and popular music accessibility made him a pivotal figure in expanding jazz's audience during a period when the genre was struggling commercially. He remained a beloved and influential performer until his sudden death on December 17, 1999, and his work continues to shape contemporary jazz and the smooth jazz genre to this day.
