Though he has recorded a couple of straight jazz albums, most of his recordings contain "pop-jazz" which is a type of instrumental pop music. Bob James was an important figure in turning 1970s fusion jazz more commercial. For their album One on One, Earl Klugh and Bob James received a Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1981.
"Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date.
With his song "Take Me To The Mardi Gras", Bob James secured his place in hip-hop history when the song was sampled by Run-DMC in their song "Peter Piper" from the Raising Hell release. "Take Me To The Mardi Gras" has been sampled in numerous hip-hop songs since "Peter Piper", including Eric B. & Rakim's "Don't Sweat The Technique", the Beastie Boys' "Hold It Now, Hit It", and by Timbaland, in Missy Elliot's "Work It".
Another song by Bob James that has also been frequently sampled by the hip-hop and electronic music community is "Nautilus", being sampled by artists such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Cam and Luke Vibert, and Ghostface Killah. Nautilus has been covered by current touring acts as diverse as Greyboy Allstars and Sound Tribe Sector 9.
Bob James' recordings have practically defined pop/jazz and crossover during the past few decades. Very influenced by pop and movie music, James has often featured R&B-ish soloists (most notably Grover Washington Jr.), who add a jazz touch to what is essentially an instrumental pop set. He actually started out in music going with a much different direction.
In 1962, Bob James recorded a bop-ish trio set for Mercury, and three years later his album for ESP was quite avant-garde, with electronic tapes used for effects. After a period with Sarah Vaughan (1965-1968), he became a studio musician, and by 1973 was arranging and working as a producer for CTI.
In 1974, James recorded his first purely commercial effort as a leader; he later made big-selling albums for his own Tappan Zee label, Columbia, and Warner Bros., including collborations with Earl Klugh (Cool, One on One) and David Sanborn (Double Vision). Listeners who prefer challenging jazz to background dance music will be consistently disappointed by Bob James' post-1965 albums.
James is a member of smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay and is a Yamaha Artist.
Jamaica Farewell
Bob James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
Down the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
'Akey' rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Down the way where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
The lyrics to Bob James's song Jamaica Farewell paint a vivid and contrasting picture of Jamaica. The first verse describes the beauty and joy of the island, with the sun shining daily on the mountain top and the nights being gay. The singer takes a trip on a sailing ship and reaches Jamaica, but unfortunately, he cannot stay for long. The second verse introduces the harsher reality of the island, with ladies crying out in the market while carrying their goods and the singer being forced to leave his lover behind in Kingston. The final verse brings us back to the joyful side of Jamaica, with sounds of laughter and dancing girls in the air. Despite traveling from Maine to Mexico, the singer's heart remains in Jamaica, but he must leave for now.
Overall, the lyrics speak to the idea that a place can be a mixture of beauty and hardship, of happiness and sadness. Jamaica is presented as a complex and multifaceted place that can tug at a person's heartstrings. The singer is torn between the pleasure of being in Jamaica and the pain of having to leave. The song captures this emotional conflict in a simple yet poignant way.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the way where the nights are gay
In a place where cheerful people spend their evenings
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
The bright sun blesses the mountaintop every day
I took a trip on a sailing ship
I traveled on a ship powered by sails
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
I halted my journey and visited Jamaica
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Regrettably, I must inform that I'm departing
Won't be back for many a day
It will take a considerable time for my return
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I'm deeply saddened, and my emotions are in turmoil
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I had to part ways with a special girl in the town of Kingston
Down the market you can hear
You can perceive the market nearby
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Women shout while carrying heavy objects on their heads
'Akey' rice, salt fish are nice
They sell 'akey' rice and delicious salted fish
And the rum is fine any time of year
Furthermore, the rum is of high quality all year round
Sounds of laughter everywhere
The environment is filled with the sound of laughter
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
As the girls dance, they sway back and forth
I must declare my heart is there
I must confess that my heart belongs there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
Although I've traveled from Maine to Mexico
Sad to say I'm on my way
Unfortunately, I have to leave
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Irving Burgie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ytownman1
I played this song when my oldest son was a baby...it always put him...and me... to sleep! Beautiful memories!
@paulsunny2441
Bob James is my all time number in jazz. I know they are many jazz great musicians. I listened to lot of jazz music. But anytime listen to Bob James's Jamaica farewell, I fill refresh.
@okeynjere9828
Reminds me of my growing up. Great piece
@izzy_is_oran9eyt694
Izzy love's jazz 🎸 💘 Enjoy 1974.
@kanayombachu492
Bob, thanks a million for a tremendous music
@kanayombachu492
Bob's.truly one of a kind, period
@dvsn23
I'm just finding Bob James today. He had some really awesome and diverse music! Thanks for posting.
@throck1569
Listen to Bob James & Earl Klugh "One on One" Album/CD... And you'll be glad you did!!
@mthumathuthu3924
@@throck1569 1 0n 1 is amazing
@thequietrevolution7390
Bob James - Keyboards, Grover Washington, Jr. - Tin Whistle, Eric Gale - Guitar, Gary King - Bass, Harvey Mason - Drums,
Ralph MacDonald - Percussion, Lord Burgess - Writer, Arranged & Conducted by Bob James