Prime Cuts: The Greatest Hits 1987-1999 [Enhanced]

1. Take Five (Take Another Five)

2. Sacred Kind of Love

3. Only for You (Siempre Para Ti)

4. Please Send Me Someone to Love

5. Strawberry Moon

6. Summer Nights

7. Heat Index

8. Next Exit

9. Blues for D.P.

10. Soulful Strut [The Top Down Version]

11. Love in His Infant Eyes

12. Night Fantastic

13. Protect the Dream

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Includes Exclusive Track 'my Foolish Heart', Not on the USA Version. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Prime Cuts: The Greatest Hits 1987-1999,Jr. Grover Washington,Sony,Crossover Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Jazz-Pop,Pop,Quiet Storm,Smooth Jazz,Soul-Jazz

Jazz

Music

jazz

Tracks:

Take Five (Take Another Five)
Sacred Kind Of Love
Only For You (Siempre Para Ti Sere)
Please Send Me Someone To Love
Strawberry Moon
Summer Nights
Heat Index
Next Exit
Blues For DP
Soulful Strut (The Top Down Version)
The Love In His Infant Eyes
The Night Fantastic
Protect The Dream

Amazon.com

Washington's Columbia material wasn't quite as rapturous as his landmark records from the '70s (most notably Inner City Blues and Mister Magic), which minted the template for the smooth jazz. But Prime Cuts offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of a surprisingly adventurous period in the soulful saxophonist's career, which was tragically cut short by his death at age 56 in late 1999. There are classic Washington grooves like "Strawberry Moon" and his version of Brubeck's "Take Five," both songs showcasing his luminescent tone and sinuous inflections. "Only for You" and "Summer Nights" pour soothing horn phrases over lively percussion, while "Blues for D.P." puts Washington in a more straightforward, postbop setting with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Grady Tate. Of the three previously unissued tracks, "Heat Index," suffers from a stilted arrangement and not enough bottom-tone organ; a new rendition of "Soulful Strut" is marvelous but only marginally different than the original; and "The Night Fantastic" is a relatively standard workout enhanced by Washington's dulcet modulations and quickly punctuated crescendoes. The closer, "Protect the Dream," delivers the giddy eddies and melodic swoons most listeners now associate with Kenny G--except that Grover's are invested with twice as much soul. --Britt Robson

Customer Reviews:

Groover Rocks!.......2005-08-30

I'm new to Jazz and I'm only familiar with Kenny G's music, so I decided to explore contemporary jazz. This is my first Grover Washington cd and I have to say that Grover is probably one of the best contemporary jazz artist. I just love his style; you won't be dissapointed.

Final album to start with.......2004-11-23

This is definitely one of the ones I'ma keep into my collection sooner or the other. This is great start for him since he was with Columbia Records. Like to say this, this is one of his final compilation CDs before he passed just a week after it was released. It was sad to hear that he died from a heart attack while performing a segment for the CBS Saturday Early Show on that day. I was 15 when that happened. So maybe does he left us a lot of legacies he left behind. Even he not's here anymore, he still lives on. He's my inspiration to follow which I said.
This is highly recommended to those who want the real Grover.
Rest in Peace, Grover. Your spirit lives on in us.

A Must.......2000-09-21

Grover Washington Jr was a Class Act.His Music is Timeless&this Set Showcases His Depth&Tone To His Instrument.unlike The Watered Down Junk that gets called Jazz Today I Won't Name Names Because everyone in the Know Knows who it is or Groups.This Music here is Straight from the Soul&Heart.it has Passion&Drive.He Creates Different Styles&Combines them into one.a Must for Fans of True Musicianship&Creativity.

An honorable collection of a late great.......2000-07-28

One of the founding fathers of the "smooth jazz" genre, pioneering the blending of jazz with pop and R&B elements, Grover Wsahington consistently produced work of a high order: strong choice in material, enticing arrangements, and rich, soulful saxophone work. This collection sums up twelve years with Columbia Records neatly but thoroughlly.

His takes on classics were always exciting, and Washington breathing new life into Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" and the standard "Please Send Me Someone to Love" are no exceptions. But even the newer compositions sounded timeless, whether it was the sensual rhythmic vibe of "Only for You (Siempre Para Ti Sere)," the head-bobbing infectiousness of "Soulful Strut," or the sheer beauty of "Strawberry Moon," a gorgeous composition that has rightfully established itself as a classic smooth jazz cut. And then there's "Sacred Kind of Love," a duet with Phyllis Hyman that is the epitome of bittersweet: it's hard not to wonder, a bit sadly, what Washington and Hyman might have stood to accomplish if they were alive today. Still, hearing them pair up at the height of their artistry is a priceless thrill.

Throw in two tracks recorded especially for this collection before Grover's untimely passing (the slick and inviting "Heat Index" and "The Night Fantastic") and you have a satisfying compilation of one of jazz's most beloved saxophonists. If soul and technique are the meat of musical recordings, these are prime cuts indeed.

Great Grover !.......2000-06-15

A collection of award winning tracks in the inimitable style that was Grover's unique hall mark. A truely great talent and a benchmark in modern jazz. Once again his passion for truely great music shines through in this celebration of his most vibrant work.