WinelightWinelight, featuring the track “Just The Two Of Us,” went platinum and garnered two Grammy awards. Winelight is probably one of Grover Washington’s best-loved albums. It includes Bill Withers’ Grammy Award winning song “Just the Two of Us,” and other well-executed smooth jazz compositions. Washington has long been one of the leaders in R&B-influenced jazz, and this album consolidates his claim to fame as one of the fathers of this often misunderstood sub-genre. Steve Gadd’s smart drumming gives each song a relaxed, infectious groove. The saxophonist really unwinds on tunes such as “Let it Flow (for “Dr. J.)” and “Make Me a Memory (Sad Samba),” improvising over a soulful blend of blues, jazz, and pop, a combination both accessible to mainstream pop listeners and musically compelling to jazz fans. Recorded in June and July 1980. Also available with Come Morning on 1 cassette. Live Recording Personnel: Grover Washington, Jr. (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones); Bill Withers (vocals); Paul Griffin, Richard Tee (Fender Rhodes); Raymond Chew (Clavinet); Bill Eaton, Ed Walsh (synthesizer); Eric Gale (guitar); Marcus Miller (bass); Steve Gadd (drums); Robert Greenidge (steel drums); Ralph MacDonald (percussion); Hilda Harris, Yvonne Lewis, Ullanda McCullough (background vocals). Producers: Grover Washington, Jr, Ralph MacDonald. Personnel: Grover Washington, Jr. (saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Bill Withers (vocals); Eric Gale (guitar); Paul Griffin (Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, keyboards); Richard Tee (Fender Rhodes piano); Ray Chew (Clavinet); Bill Eaton (Oberheim synthesizer); Steve Gadd (drums); Ralph MacDonald (congas, percussion); Robert Greenidge (steel drum); Ullanda McCullough, Yvonne Lewis, Hilda Harris (background vocals). Audio Remixer: Elliot Scheiner. Liner Note Author: David Nathan.
Recording information: Rosebud Recording Studio (06/1980-07/1980).
Photographers: Don Hunstein; Tom Copi; Jim Shea; Robin Kaplan; Scott Weiner.
Arranger: Bill Eaton.
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