Recorded in December 1985, J MOOD heralds the start of a second phase in Wynton’s career and the formation of a new band featuring the “J Master,” Marcus Roberts, on piano. Wynton’s evolving collaboration with the “J Master,” which continued through the early 1990s, has already become a landmark in recent jazz history. Bob Hurst’s impeccable bass lines and Jeff “Tain” Watts’ mercurial drumming complete the line-up.

A seminal groover from Wynd Chymes – a group with a groove that’s as catchy as their name! The Atlanta combo only cut a few records, but all of them are great – and this debut does a great job of mixing modern soul with harmony vocals – all with a tight funky undercurrent that’s right in the best mode of some of the bigger RCA soul acts of the time – particularly Keni Burke or Michael Wycoff! A few mellower cuts mix in with the uptempo numbers, creating a nice balance that almost reminds us of late 70s Earth Wind & Fire – particularly in the way the horns are fused into the rhythms – and titles include “Checkin Out Your Stuff”, “Love Has Come Again”, “Stylin & Profilin”, “Girl It’s Alright”, “Ain’t It Good”, “Do It”, and “Arrival”.