Jazz / Jazz-Pop; Crossover Jazz; Smooth Jazz
There's very little to distinguish Lucky Seven from Heads, Sign of the Times, Touchdown and other forgettable studio albums that Bob James recorded in the late 1970s. The keyboardist had carved out a niche for himself playing uncreative background music, and he obviously felt that the easiest way to maintain his commercial success was to make sure one studio project was as contrived and formulaic as the next. Despite employing such talented musicians as Michael & Randy Brecker, Eric Gale and Steve Khan, Lucky Seven is remarkably boring. "Rush Hour" and "Big Stone City" sound like 1970s movie music at its corniest, and the adult contemporary number "Friends" is unbearably insipid. Whether you're looking for jazz, R&B, disco or pop, Lucky Seven is among the many James albums that should be avoided.
---Alex Henderson, allmusic
Bob James - Synthesizer, Vocals, Keyboards, Piano, Arranger
Steve Khan - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar
Mike Lawrence - Trumpet
David Sanbor - Saxophone
George Marge - Woodwind
Charles McCracken - Cello
Marvin Morgenstern - Violin
Andy Newmark - Drums
Richie Resnicoff - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar
Jeff Schoen - Vocals
Richard Sortomme - Violin
Herbert Sorkin - Violin
Peter Gordon - Horn, French Horn
Ralph MacDonald - Percussion
Jimmy Maelen - Percussion
David Taylor - Trombone
Jonathan Abramowitz - Cello
Lamar Alsop - Violin, Viola
Wayne Andre - Trombone
Randy Brecker - Trumpet, Horn
James Buffington - Horn, French Horn
Max Ellen - Violin
Barry Finclair - Violin
Steve Gadd - Drums
Eric Gale - Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
Diana Halprin - Violin
Harry Lookofsky - Violin
Idris Muhammad - Drums
Theodore Israel - Viola
Neil Jason - Bass, Vocals
Gary King - Bass
Michael Lawrence - Trumpet
Patti Austin - Vocals
Phil Bodner - Wind
Michael Brecker - Saxophone
Hiram Bullock - Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Vocals
Jon Faddis - Trumpet, Horn |
