"Eye Of The Beholder" is the 1977 classic by GRAMMY Award-winning percussionist Ray Barretto. It features Barretto’s signature fusion of Latin-jazz. It includes the standouts “Here We Go Again”, “Tumbao Africano” and “Senor Funk”. It would reach the Top 40 on the Billboard charts.

Sanitize Tom Waits's vocal cords, take some of the rasp out of Dr. John's, put some muscle into Bobby Caldwell's, combine them and you'll have an approximation of the quality of Steve Tyrell's voice. Like his popular 1999 debut, "A New Standard", this is a meticulously recorded album featuring the great American songbook and some of the best jazz soloists alive, including trumpeter Clark Terry, harmonica player Toots Thielemans, and singer Jane Monheit, who plays Lucille Ball and Betty Carter against Tyrell's Red Skelton and Ray Charles on the classic duet "Baby It's Cold Outside".

"Black Byrd" is the pivotal 1973 masterpiece by jazz legend Donald Byrd. This monumental album presented Byrd’s acclaimed brand of fusion. Black Byrd is one of Blue Note’s bestselling albums of all time and highlights Byrd’s undeniable knack for sound. It reached #1 on Billboard’s Top Jazz Albums and #2 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums. It features the thrilling self-titled single, which reached the Top Twenty on Billboard’s Top R&B Singles.

"Amandla" was Miles' perfect departure from "Tutu", and a comeback for himself and his right-hand man, the composer Marcus Miller. The album features investigations into the possibilities of contemporary synthesizers and drum machines. But unlike Tutu, Miles and Miller supply a satisfactory amount of real orchestral instrumentation, real drums, percussion and guitars.

One of three best-selling albums recorded by pianist Joe Sample in the late 1970s and early 1980s, this influential album led the way for contemporary jazz and the smooth jazz/adult contemporary sound of the 1980s. Sample is backed by a large group of musicians, including his former Crusader bandmate Stix Hooper on drums as well as horn and string sections.

One of three best-selling albums recorded by pianist Joe Sample in the late 1970s and early 1980s, "Carmel" is considered among his finest recordings. A tribute to the artistic community of Carmel, Califonia and the Monterey Peninsula, Sample brings the natural beauty of that area to life with this music.

One of three best-selling albums recorded by pianist Joe Sample in the late 1970s and early 1980s, this diverse collection of smooth jazz-pop includes vocal numbers by Flora Purim and other singers as well as the final track, an acoustic song entitled "Sonata In Solitude". Sample composed the entire album himself except for one collaboration with lyricist Will Jennings.

The Crusaders had a tough act to follow after their landmark album and smash hit single "Street Life" in 1979; it was no surprise that "Rhapsody And Blues", released a year later, would continue in the same crossover smooth jazz-pop-soul vein as its predecessor. Despite the lack of any hits to equal "Street Life", the album is still considered memorable and features an appearance from Bill Withers on the first track, "Soul Shadows".

Released in 1979, "Street Life" was a chart-topping success by The Crusaders and featured the hit single "Street Life". The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard Pop albums chart and #18 on the Jazz chart. The album was included in the book '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'.

Sanitize Tom Waits's vocal cords, take some of the rasp out of Dr. John's, put some muscle into Bobby Caldwell's, combine them and you'll have an approximation of the quality of Steve Tyrell's voice. Like his popular 1999 debut, "A New Standard", this is a meticulously recorded album featuring the great American songbook and some of the best jazz soloists alive, including trumpeter Clark Terry, harmonica player Toots Thielemans, and singer Jane Monheit, who plays Lucille Ball and Betty Carter against Tyrell's Red Skelton and Ray Charles on the classic duet "Baby It's Cold Outside".

Whilst Ida Sand's second ACT album "True Love" was to some extent a family affair - an homage to her husband Ola Gustafsson and new born daughter - her third ACT album "The Gospel Truth", signals a return to her roots and a unique combination of European and American soul. Released two years after "True Love", "The Gospel Truth: presents the Swedish Jazz singer following on musically from her 2007 ACT debut, Meet Me Around Midnight", which captivated listeners with a sound which was "distinctively earthy, soaked with the blood of the blues, saturated by gospel, weathered by jazz and infected by soul".

Roles is a studio album by American pianist keyboardist Joe Sample, released in 1987 on MCA Records. The album peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts…

There is a fair amount of variety on this reasonably enjoyable but not essential release from keyboardist Joe Sample. Most of the tunes fall into the area of funky crossover with strong melodies, danceable rhythms and few chances taken…

Pianist Joe Sample is a pioneer at creating melodic and accessible pop-jazz. His recordings of the 1970s and '80s were consistently popular, especially this best-seller. Sample is joined on most selections by fellow Crusader Stix Hooper on drums, electric bassist Abraham Laboriel, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and, often, guitarist Dean Parks…