Ernie Watts - Sanctuary (1986)

This Qwest project was a typical crossover project for Ernie Watts, who recorded a series of commercial sets for Elektra and Qwest. The rhythms are danceable; Watts displays attractive tones on tenor, alto, and soprano; the supporting cast includes top L.A. studio musicians; Don Grusin contributes keyboards and electronic rhythms; among the many vocalists are Larry Williams and Phil Perry; and guitarist Lee Ritenour pops up on a few numbers. Ernie Watts would soon start recording more creative jazz and start to realize his potential, which is largely wasted on this effort. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

 

Qwest Records, 9 25513-1, 1986
Recorded at Monterey Sound Studios, Glendale, California;
and Additional at Starlight Studio, Malibu, California. 

Musicians:
Ernie Watts - Alto (#A1,A3,B1,B3), Soprano (#A2,B1), Tenor (#A2,A4,B2,B4)
Larry Williams - Synth Voice (#A1), Funny Horns (#A2), Horse Hoofs (#A3),
Synth Horn (#B1), Synth Strings (#B4), Vocals [Background]
Don Grusin - Keyboards, Drum & Synthesizer Programming, Vocal Arranger
Lee Ritenour - Guitar (#A1,A3,B2)
Carlos Rios - Guitar (#A2,B3)
Abraham Laboriel, Sr. - Bass (#A4,B2)
Nathan East - Bass (#B1)
John Robinson - Drums (#A1-A3,B3)
Carlos Vega - Drums (#A4,B1)
Paulinho da Costa - Percussion (#A1,A2,B2)
Alex Acuña - Drums (#B2), Percussion (#B2,B4)
Phil Perry - Vocals (#A2,A4,B3), Background Vocals (#A1), Arranger [Vocals]
Kevin Dorsey, Aladrain Elmore, Roy Galloway, Siedah Garrett, Kate Markowitz,
Lillain Tynes Perry, Darryl Phinnessee, Oren Waters - Background Vocals 

Tracks:
A1. Taj {Don Grusin} (4:11)
A2. She Feels Good {Don Grusin} (3:53)
A3. Cowboy Dreams {Don Grusin} (4:22)
A4. Homeland {Phil Perry, Don Grusin} (4:55)
B1. Chinook {Don Grusin} (5:30)
B2. Sanctuary {Ernie Watts} (5:20)
B3. City Speak {Don Grusin} (4:18)
B4. The Peace Offering {Ernie Watts} (3:22) 

Total Time: 35:51 

Credits:
Producer - Ernie Watts
Producer, Mixing [Digital], Arranger - Don Grusin
Executive-Producer - Quincy Jones
Recording Engineer, Mixing [Digital] - Geoff Gillette
Additional Engineering - Don Murray
Assistant Engineer, Digital Mixing - Stan Katayama
Assistant Engineer - Terry Bower
Mastering - Wally Traugott
Art Direction, Design - Gabrielle Raumberger 

"Deep within our souls is a place of peace and love,
where there is no hate, no war, no competition.
This is our true homeland - our sanctuary of the heart."

Dave Kikoski - Persistent Dreams (1991)

Persistent Dreams, which was produced by Walter Becker, jumps between two different genres. While Becker in the liner notes expresses admiration for pianist Dave Kikoski's modern straight-ahead quintet which he had heard a couple of years earlier at the legendary Hollywood jazz club Catalina Bar & Grill, four of the first five selections on this CD are somewhat commercial. Kikoski and his sidemen play well but the material is forgettable. Best on those mostly sleepy tracks are the wordless vocals of Vera Mera during the haunting "Lord of the Vine." Things begin to wake up with David Jensen's fiery tenor on John Coltrane's "Satellite" and Kikoski finally cuts loose on Wayne Shorter's "Toy Tune." The high point is the heated quintet on "Falling in Love with Love," featuring Kikoski, Jensen and trumpeter Randy Brecker. If only the entire CD was at that level. Still, if found at a budget price, this now-obscure CD is worth picking up. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Triloka Records, 7191-2, 1992
Recorded 17th & 18th October, 1991 At Clinton Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Dave Kikoski - Piano, Synthesizer (#1,4,5), Arranger
Randy Brecker - Trumpet (#3,8)
Dave Jensen - Tenor Saxophone (#4,8)
Cecelia Tenconi - Flute (#5)
Vadim Zilbershtein - Guitar (#5)
James Genus - Electric Bass (#1,3,5)
Ed Howard - Acoustic Bass (#2,4,6-8)
Ben Perowsky - Drums (#1-3,5)
Billy Hart - Drums (#4,6-8)
Alex Acuña - Percussion (#1,3,5)
Vera Mera - Vocals (#1) 

Tracks:
1. Lord Of The Vine {Dave Kikoski} (5:25)
2. Morning After {Al Kasha, Joel Hirschhorn, John Williams} (8:11)
3. Train Of Thought {Dave Kikoski} (6:23)
4. Satellite {John Coltrane} (6:27)
5. Green Trees {Dave Kikoski} (5:12)
6. Toy Tune {Wayne Shorter} (5:04)
7. Lonely {Dave Kikoski} (6:58)
8. Falling In Love With Love {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (7:14)
9. Persistent Dreams {Dave Kikoski} (3:28) 

Total Time: 54:22

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Walter Becker
Executive-Producer - K.D. Kagel, Mitchell Markus, Paul A. Sloman
Engineer, Mixing, Editing [Digital], Assemblage, Mastering - Roger Nichols
Engineer [Assistant] - Jackie Brown
Coordinator - June Popowich
Art Direction - The Duke Design Co.