Jazz (Smooth-Crossover-Pop) / Easy Listening (Reference)

The reference list includes records that have been obtained and/or rated (in blue) as well as many other records that have been recommended from various sources.

Mindi Abair

• Come As You Are [2004, GRP], B–
• Life Less Ordinary [2006, GRP], B

Greg Adams

• Firefly [2004, 215 Records]

Gerald Albright (1957– )

• The Very Best of Gerald Albright [(2001), Atlantic]
• Kickin' It Up [2004, GRP], B

Herb Alpert (1935– )

• The Lonely Bull [1962, Shout! Factory], C+
• South of the Border [1964, Shout! Factory], B–
• Whipped Cream and Other Delights [1965, Shout! Factory], B
• Sounds Like [1967, Shout! Factory], B–
• Herb Alpert's Ninth [1967, Shout! Factory], C+
• The Beat of the Brass [1968, Shout! Factory], C–
• Christmas Album [1968, A&M]
• Classics, Vol. 1 [1962–70, A&M], B
• Lost Treasures: Rare & Unreleased [1963–74, Shout! Factory], C
• Rise [1979, A&M]
• Classics, Vol. 20 [(1987), A&M]
• Passion Dance [1997, Almo]
• Colors [1999, Almo]
• w/Lani Hall: Live: Anything Goes [2009, Concord], U

Charlie Apicella (1979– )

• w/Iron City: Put the Flavor on It [2008, Carlo Music], B–
• w/Iron City: Sparks [2009, Carlo Music], U

Dave Archer

• Dave Corp: The Sweet Life [2007, Sluggo Music], B–

Roy Ayers (1940– )

• West Coast Vibes [1963, United Artists]
• Ubiquity [1971, Verve], B–
• He's Coming [1971, Verve], B
• Virgo Red [1973, Verve], B–
• Change Up the Groove [1974, Verve], B
• A Tear to a Smile [1975, Verve], C+
• Mystic Voyage [1975, Polydor]
• Vibrations [1976, Verve], C
• Lifeline [1977, Verve], C+
• You Send Me [1978, Verve], C
• Evolution: The Polydor Anthology [1970–81, Polydor, 2 CD]

Jay Azzolina (1952– )

• Local Dialect [2007, Garagista], B–

Bob Baldwin (1960– )

• Rejoice [1990, Atlantic]
• Brazil Chill [2004, A440 Music]

Watler Beasley (1961– )

• Beasley [1987, Verve], B–
• Just Kickin' It [1989, Verve], C
• Intimacy [1992, Verve], C+
• For Your Pleasure [1998, Shanachie]

Pete Belasco

• Get It Together [1997, Polygram]

David Benoit (1953– )

• w/Russ Freeman: Benoit/Freeman Project [1994]

George Benson (1943– )

• w/Jack McDuff: The New Boss Guitar [1964, Prestige OJC]
• Blue Benson [1967, Polydor]
• Shape of Things to Come [1968, Verve], B+(*)
• Tell It Like It Is [1969, Verve], B
• The Other Side of Abbey Road [1969, A&M]
• I Got a Woman and Some Blues [1969, Verve], C
• Beyond the Blue Horizon [1971, CTI]
• Good King Bad [1975, Columbia]
• Breezin' [1976, Warner Brothers], B
• Give Me the Night [1980, Warner Brothers]
• The Essential George Benson [1963–80, Columbia/Legacy, 2 CD], B
• Tenderly [1989, Warner Brothers]
• Essentials: The Very Best of George Benson [(1998), Jive]
• Irreplaceable [2004, GRP], C–
• Songs and Stories [2009, Concord/Monster Music], C+

Boston Horns

• Shibuya Gumbo [2008, Boston Horns], U

Chris Botti

• Midnight Without You [1997, Verve/Forecast]
• A Thousand Kisses Deep [2003, Columbia]
• When I Fall in Love [2004, Columbia], B–

Rick Braun (1955– )

• Body and Soul [1996, Bluemoon]
• Full Stride [1998, Atlantic]
• Kisses in the Rain [2001, Warner Brothers]
• Esperanto [2003, Warner Brothers], B–

Tom Braxton

• Endless Highway [2009, Pacific Coast Jazz], B–

The Brecker Brothers [1975–1981]

• The Brecker Brothers Collection / Volume One [1975–81, Novus], B
• Sneakin' Up Behind You: The Very Best of the Brecker Brothers [1975–81, Arista/Legacy], B
• Return of the Brecker Brothers [1992, Verve], B
• Priceless Jazz Collection [(1999), GRP]

Brian Bromberg (1960– )

• It's About Time: The Acoustic Project [1991, Nova]
• Choices [2004, A440], B
• Downright Upright [2006, Artistry], B

Norman Brown

• Just Between Us [1992, Verve], B
• West Coast Coolin' [2004, Warner Brothers]

Paul Brown

• Up Front [2004, GRP]

Alex Bugnon

• Head Over Heels [1990, Orpheus], B
• Free [2005, Narada], B

Bobby Caldwell (1951– )

• Perfect Island Nights [2005, Music Force]

Ed Calle

• Twilight [2001, Concord Jazz]

Terri Lyne Carrington (1965– )

• Structure [2003, ACT]
• More to Say . . . [2009, Koch], C–

Steve Carter

• Cosmopolis [2008, CDBaby], B

Craig Chaquico (1954– )

• Acoustic Highway [1993, Higher Octave]
• Acoustic Planet [1994, Higher Octave]
• Midnight Noon [2004, Higher Octave], B
• Holiday [2005, Higher Octave], C+

Frankie Cicala

• Frankie Plays! [2006, 3B's], B–

Steve Cole

• Between Us [2000, Atlantic]
• NY LA [2003, Warner Brothers]
• Spin [2005, Narada Jazz], U

Nick Colionne

• Keepin' It Cool [2005, Narada Jazz], B
• No Limits [2008, Koch], B–

Joyce Cooling

• Keeping Cool [1999, Heads Up]
• This Girl's Got to Play [2004, Narada Jazz], C
• Revolving Door [2006, Narada Jazz], B–

Julian Coryell

• Duality [1997, N2K]

The Crusaders (1971–76)

• Pass the Plate [1971, Verve], B–
• Southern Comfort [1974, GRP]
• Chain Reaction [1975, MCA]
• Free as the Wind [1976, MCA]
• Those Southern Knights [1976, GRP]
• Images [1978, Blue Thumb], B
• The Golden Years [1962–81, GRP, 3 CD], B
• Rural Renewal [2003, PRA/Verve], C

Brian Culbertson

• Nice and Slow [2001, Atlantic]
• Come On Up [2003, Warner Brothers], B–

Dapp Theory

• Layers of Chance [2008, Contrology/ObliqSound], B+(**)

Eric Darius

• Night on the Town [2004, Higher Octave Music], B
• Just Getting Started [2006, Narada Jazz], B

Karl Denson (1968– )

• Chunky Pecan Pie [1994, Minor Music]
• Dance Lesson #2 [2001, Blue Note], B
• Lunar Orbit [2007, Bobby Ace], B–
• Brother's Keeper [2009, Shanachie], B+(**)

Down to the Bone [1997– ]

• The Urban Grooves: Album II [1999, Internal Bass]
• Spread the Word: Album III [2000, Atlantic]
• Crazy Vibes and Things [2002, GRP]
• Cellar Funk [2004, Narada Jazz], B–
• Spread Love Like Wildfire [2005, Narada Jazz], B+

George Duke (1946– )

• Faces in Reflection [1974, Verve], B
• Feel [1974, Verve], B–
• I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry [1975, Verve], B
• Brazilian Love Affair [1979, Epic]
• Follow the Rainbow [1979, Epic]
• The Essential George Duke [1977–90, Epic/Legacy, 2 CD], B
• Cool [2000, Warner Brothers]

Richard Elliot

• City Speak [1996, Blue Note]

Eric Essix

• Southbound [2000, Zebra]

Percy Faith (1908–76)

• Music of Christmas [1966, Columbia]
• 16 Most Requested Songs [(1978), Columbia]
• All-Time Greatest Hits [(1978), Columbia]
• Christmas Is ... [(1989), Columbia]
• The Percy Faith Treasure [(1994), Sony]

Patrick Forgas

• L'Axe de Fou / Axis of Madness [2008, Cuneiform], B+(**)

Fourplay [1991– ]

• Journey [2004, Bluebird], C

Michael Franks (1944– )

• The Best of Michael Franks: A Backward Glance [(1998), Warner Brothers]
• The Michael Franks Anthology: The Art of Love [(2003), Warner Brothers]
• Love Songs [(2004), Warner Brothers/Rhino]

Kenny G (1959– )

• Duotones [1986, Arista]
• Greatest Hits [1982–92, Arista]
• Miracles: The Holiday Album [1994, Arista]
• Ultimate Kenny G [1986–2002, Arista], C+
• The Essential Kenny G [1986–2004, Arista/Legacy, 2 CD], C

Garage A Trois [2003– ]

• Emphasizer [2003, Tone Cool]
• Outre Mer [2005, Telarc], A–

Mike Garson (1945– )

• Conversations With My Family [2006, Resonance, CD+DVD], B+(*)

Maxfield Gast

• Eat Your Beats [2009, Militia Hill], B–

Grant Geissman

• Rustic Technology [1993, Blue Moon]
• In With the Out Crowd [1998, Higher Octave]

Gnappy

• Unloaded [2006, Bean Pie], B

Jeff Golub

• Out of the Blue [1999, Atlantic]
• Dangerous Curves [2000, GRP]
• Temptation [2005, Narada Jazz], B
• Blues for You [2009, E1 Music], B

Richie Goods

• Live at the Zinc Bar [2007, RichMan], B+(**)

Euge Groove

• Livin' Large [2004, Narada Jazz], C+
• Just Feels Right [2005, Narada Jazz], B–

Groove Collective [1993– ]

• Dance of the Drunken Master [1998, Shanachie]
• Declassified [1999, Shanachie]

Everette Harp (1961– )

• What's Going On [1997, Blue Note]

Lafayette Harris Jr.

• Lafayette Is Here [1993, Muse]
• In the Middle of the Night [2003–4, Airmen], B

Marsha Heydt

• One Night [2007, Blue Toucan], C+

Warren Hill

• Kiss Under the Moon [1991, Jive/Novus]
• Pop Jazz [2005, Native Language], B–
• La Dolce Vita [2008, Koch], B–

Al Hirt (1922–99)

• At the Mardi Gras [1962, BMG Classics], B
• Greatest Hits [1962–64, RCA], B+
• Super Jazz, Vol. 1 [1975, Monument]
• Bourbon Street Parade [(1994), Intersound]
• The Al Hirt Collection [(1997), Razor & Tie]
• Music to Watch Girls By [(2000), RCA]

Incognito [1981– ]

• Jazz Funk [1981, Ensign]
• The Best of Incognito [(2000), Polygram]
• Adventures in Black Sunshine [2004, Narada Jazz], B+
• Eleven [2006, Narada Jazz], B
• Beer + Things + Flowers [2006, Narada Jazz], C+

Paul Jackson (1947– )

• Funk on a Stick [2005, Backdoor], B+(*)

Paul Jackson Jr (1959– )

• Never Alone: Duets [1996, Blue Note]

Bob James (1939– )

• Explosions [1965, ESP], B+(***)
• Straight Up [1995, Warner Brothers]
• w/Kirk Whallum: Joined at the Hip [1996, Warner Brothers]
• Angels of Shanghai [2004–5, Koch], B

Boney James

• Sweet Thing [1997, Warner Brothers]
• Pure [2004, Warner Brothers], B–

The Jazz Crusaders [1961–1971]

• At the Lighthouse / Pacific Jazz Records [1962, Blue Note], B+(**)
• Live at the Lighthouse '66 [1966, Pacific Jazz]
• Lighthouse '68 [1967, Pacific Jazz]
• The Pacific Jazz Quintet Studio Sessions [1961–70, Mosaic, 6 CD]
• Old Socks, New Shoes . . . New Socks, Old Shoes [1970, Verve], B

Ed Johnson

• Over That Wave [2002, Cumulus]

Ronny Jordan (1962– )

• The Antidote [1992, 4th & Broadway]
• A Brighter Day [1999, Blue Note], C+
• At Last [2001, N2K]

Stanley Jordan (1959– )

• Stanley Jordan [1984, Blue Note]
• Magic Touch [1985, Blue Note]
• Cornucopia [1986, Blue Note]
• Standards, Vol. 1 [1986, Blue Note]
• State of Nature [2008, Mack Avenue], B

Bert Kaempfert

• The Very Best of Bert Kaempfert [(1995), Taragon]

Jeff Kashiwa

• Another Door Opens [2000, Native Language]

Bernie Kenerson

• Just You and Me [2007, Bernup], B

John Klemmer (1946– )

• Blowin' Gold [1969, Cadet/Concept]
• Priceless Jazz Collection [1967–72, GRP]
• Barefoot Ballet [1976, Verve], B+(*)
• Arabesque [1977, Verve], B
• Nexus One (for Trane) [1979, RCA]

Mark Knox

• Places [2006, Dreambox Media], B

Andre Kostelanetz (1901–80)

• 16 Most Requested Songs [(1972), Columbia]
• Wonderland of Golden Hits [(1990), Columbia]

Dave Koz

• Lucky Man [1993, Capitol]
• The Dance [1999, Capitol]

Hubert Laws (1942– )

• Afro-Classic [1970, Columbia]
• The Rite of Spring [1971, Columbia]
• Wild Flower [1972, Atlantic]
• In the Beginning [1974, Columbia]
• Moondance [2004, Savoy jazz]

Ronnie Laws (1950– )

• Pressure Sensitive [1975, Blue Note]
• The Best of Ronnie Laws [1975–80, Blue Note], C+
• Tribute to the Legendary Eddie Harris [1996, Blue Note]

Arthur Lipner

• The Magic Continues [1993, Palmetto], B–

Liquid Soul [1996– ]

• Liquid Soul [1996, Ark 21], B–
• Make Some Noise [1998, Ark 21]
• Here's the Deal [2000, Shanachie], B
• Evolution [2002, Shanachie]
• One-Two Punch [2006, Telarc], B+(**)

Jeff Lorber (1952– )

• The Jeff Lorber Fusion [1977, Inner City]
• Flipside [2005, Narada Jazz], B

Bobby Lyle

• Night Breeze [1985, Evidence]
• Pianomagic [1991, Atlantic]
• Power of Touch [1997, Atlantic]
• Joyful [2002, Lightyear]

Arthur Lyman (1934– )

• More of the Best of the Arthur Lyman Group [(1996), DCC]
• With a Christmas Vibe [(1996), Rykodisc]

Sean Malone

• Cortlandt [1996, Free Electric Sound], B+(*)

Chuck Mangione (1940– )

• Chuck Mangione Quartet [1972, Mercury]
• Alive! [1972, Mercury]
• Together [1973, Mercury]
• Land of Make Believe [1973, Mercury]
• The Best of Chuck Mangione [1973–88, Columbia/Legacy], C
• Greatest Hits [(1996), Feels So Good]

Mantovani (1905–80)

• The Incomparable Mantovani [1964, Polygram]
• Mantovani's Golden Hits [(1967), London]
• More Golden Hits [(1984), London]
• A Night in Vienna [(1988), Bainbridge]
• White Christmas [(1989), London]
• Mantovani's Golden Hits [(1990), Bainbridge)]
• A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening [(1995), Madacy]

Eric Marienthal (1957– )

• Crossroads [1990, GRP]
• Easy Street [1997, Polygram]
• Walk Tall: Tribute to Cannonball Adderley [1998, Polygram]

Keith Marks

• Foreign Funk [2006, Markei], B–

Keiko Matsui

• The Very Best of Keiko Matsui [(2004), GRP]
• Walls of Akendora [2005, Narada Jazz], B+

Marion Meadows

• Next to You [2000, Heads Up]
• In Deep [2002, Heads Up]

Jason Miles

• A Live Affair: The Music of Ivan Lins [2000, Telarc]
• Miles to Miles: In the Spirit of Miles Davis [2005, Narada Jazz], B–
• What's Going On? [2006, Narada Jazz], B–
• Soul Summit: Live at the Berks Jazz Fest! [2007, Shanachie], B+(**)
• 2 Grover With Love [2008, Koch], B–

Marcus Miller (1959– )

• Marcus Miller [1984, Warner Brothers]
• Live and More [1998, GRP]
• The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg [2003, Telarc]
• Silver Rain [2005, Koch], B
• Marcus [2008, Concord Jazz], B

Monsieur Dubois [2004– ]

• Ruff [2004, Challenge], B

Stanton Moore

• Flyin' the Koop [2001, Blue Thumb]
• III [2006, Telarc], B+(*)
• Emphasis on Parenthesis [2007, Telarc], B–

Mörglbl

• Grötesk [1999–2006, The Laser's Edge], B+(*)

Mr. Groove

• Little Things [2007, DiamonDisc], B–

Dave Mullen

• Mahoney's Way [2006, Roberts Music Group], B+(**)

Mylab

• Mylab [2004, Terminus], A–

Najee

• Songs From the Key of Life [1995, EMI]

Peter Nero (1934– )

• Hail the Conquering Hero / New Piano in Town [1961–63, Collectables]
• Peter Nero's Greatest Hits [(1974), Columbia]

Gerry Niewood (1943– )

• Facets [2004, Native Language]

Steve Oliver

• Positive Energy [2002, Native Language]
• Snowfall [2006, Koch], C

Oranj Symphonette

• Plays Mancini [1996, Gramavision], B
• The Oranj Album [1998, Rykodisc]

Kim Pensyl

• Under the Influence [1996, Shanachie]

Pieces of a Dream [1981– ]

• The Best of Pieces of a Dream [1982–89, Blue Note]
• Goodbye Manhattan [1994, Blue Note]

Doc Powell

• Inner City Blues [1996, Discovery]
• Cool Like That [2004, Heads Up], B

Roger Powell

• Fossil Poets [2006, Inner Knot], B+(**)

Boots Randolph (1927–2007)

• Yakety Sax! [1963, Monument]
• Sentimental Journey [1973, Monument]
• A Whole New Ballgame [2006, Zoho], B–

Benny Reid (1980– )

• Findings [2007, Concord]
• Escaping Shadows [2008, Concord], B

Nelson Riddle (1921–85)

• The Best of Nelson Riddle [(1990), Capitol]
• Capitol Years [(1999), EMI]

The Rippingtons [1987– ]

• Moonlighting [1987, GRP]
• Curves Ahead [1991, GRP]
• Black Diamond [1997, Windham Hill]
• Life in the Tropics [2000, Peak]

Thom Rotella (1951– )

• Can't Stop [1997, Telarc]
• Out of the Blues [2007, Four Bar Music], B+(*)

Philippe Saisse

• At World's Edge [2009, Koch], C

Joe Sample (1939– )

• Carmel [1978, MCA]
• w/David T. Walker: Swing Street Café [1978, Verve], B+(*)
• Did You Feel That? [1994, Warner Brothers]
• The Pecan Tree [2002, Universal]

Dave Samuels (1948– )

• Double Image [1977, Enja]
• Caribbean Jazz Project: Afro Bop Alliance [2008, Heads Up], B–

Dave Sharp

• 7 [2009, Vortex Jazz], B

Chip Shelton

• Have Flute Will Travel: Stop 2 Cape May [2007, Chicken Coop]
• Imbued With Memories [2007, Summit], C+

Ben Sidran

• Live at Montreaux [1978, Arista]
• Cool Paradise [1991, Go Jazz]

Dan Siegel

• Northern Lights [1987, Columbia]
• Hemispheres [1994, Playfull/Sunset Blvd.]

Lonnie Liston Smith (1940– )

• Astral Traveling [1973, Flying Dutchman]
• Expansions [1974, Flying Dutchman]
• Visions of a New World [1975, Flying Dutchman/RCA], B–
• Reflections of a Golden Dream [1976, Flying Dutchman]
• Ankhspansion [1991, Novus]

Steve Smith

• Vital Information [1983, Columbia]
• Global Beat [1987, Columbia]

Soulive [1999– ]

• Turn It Out [2000, Orchard]
• Break Out [2005, Concord], U

Spyro Gyra [1976– ]

• Incognito [1982, Amherst]
• Access All Areas [1983, Amherst]
• Breakout [1986, Amherst]
• Dreams Beyond Control [1993, GRP]
• Road Scholars [1997, GRP]
• The Deep End [2004, Heads Up], B–

The Stance Brothers

• Kind Soul [2008, Ricky Tick], B

Daryl Stuermer

• Steppin' Out [1988, GRP]

Andy Summers (1942– )

• I Advance Masked [1982, A&M]
• Earth + Sky [2004, Goldenwire]

Wayman Tisdale (1964–2009)

• Decisions [1998, Atlantic]
• Rebound [2008, Rendezvous], B

Nestor Torres (1957– )

• Sin Palabras (Without Words) [2004, Heads Up], B–

Turning Point

• Matador [2005, Native Language], U

Urban Knights [1995– ]

• Urban Knights V [2003, Narada Jazz], C
• Urban Knights VI [2005, Narada Jazz], C

Andre Ward

• Steppin' Up [2004, Award/Orpheus], B+

Freddie Washington

• In the Moment [2009, RFW], U

Grover Washington Jr. (1943–99)

• Inner City Blues [1971, Verve], B+(*)
• All the King's Horses [1972, Verve], B
• Soul Box [1973, Verve], A–
• Mr. Magic [1975, Motown], B
• Feels So Good [1975, Verve], B+(**)
• A Secret Place [1976, Verve], B
• Reed Seed [1977, Motown], B
• Winelight [1980, Elektra], B
• Come Morning [1981, Elektra]

Kim Waters

• Love's Melody [1998, Shanachie]
• In the Name of Love [2004, Shanachie], C+

Danny Weis (1948– )

• Sweet Spot [2007, Marshmellow], B

Kirk Whallum (1958– )

• And You Know That! [1988, Columbia]
• The Promise [1989, Columbia]
• Unconditional [2000, Warner Brothers]
• Kirk Whallum Performs the Babyface Songbook [2005, Rendezvous]

Peter White (1954– )

• Reveillez-Vous [1990, Chase Music]
• Caravan of Dreams [1996, Columbia]

Pamela Williams

• Saxtress [1996, Heads Up]
• Sweet Saxations [2005, Shanachie], B–

Yellowjackets [1981– ]

• Four Corners [1987, MCA]
• Politics [1988, MCA]
• The Spin [1989, MCA]
• Green House [1990, GRP]
• Like a River [1992, GRP]
• Run for Your Life [1993, GRP]
• Dreamland [1994, Warner Brothers]
• Club Nocturne [1998, Warner Brothers]
• Mint Jam [2002, Yellowjackets]
• Time Squared [2003, Heads Up], B
• Altered State [2005, Heads Up], C
• Twenty Five [2005, Heads Up, CD+DVD], B+(*)
• Lifecycle [2008, Heads Up], B–

Jon Zeeman

• Zeeland [2008, Membrane], B–

Various Artists

• Christmas Break: Relaxing Jazz for the Holidays [1992–98, Telarc], B
• Forever, for Always, for Luther: A Tribute to Luther Vandross [2004, GRP], B
• Forever, for Always, for Luther: Vol. II [2006, Rendezvous], U
• Jazz for Couch Potatoes! [2004, Shanachie], B
• Mizell: The Mizell Brothers at Blue Note Records [1972–76, Blue Note], C+