Top Jazz Albums of July 9, 1983

Let's take a look at what was topping the various jazz album charts on July 9, 1983.

	Billboard	Cash Box	Radio & Records
1	Jarreau Al Jarreau	In Your Eyes George Benson	Low Ride Earl Klugh
2	Low Ride Earl Klugh	Travels Pat Metheny Group	In Your Eyes George Benson
3	The Hunter Joe Sample	Jarreau Al Jarreau	Jarreau Al Jarreau
4	Star People Miles Davis	The Genie Bob James	Journey to a Rainbow Chuck Mangione
5	The Genie Bob James	Low Ride Earl Klugh	The Genie Bob James
6	Friends Larry Carlton	Star People Miles Davis	Les Fleurs Ramsey Lewis
7	Autumn George Winston	Friends Larry Carlton	Friends Larry Carlton
8	Mirage a Trois Yellowjackets	The Hunter Joe Sample	Mirage a Trois Yellowjackets
9	Dave Grusin and the New York/L.A. Dream Band	Mirage a Trois Yellowjackets	Travels Pat Metheny Group
10	In Your Eyes George Benson	Journey to a Rainbow Chuck Mangione	The Hunter Joe Sample

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Exclusive MFD meta-analysis of the above charts:

1. Jarreau (26 points)
2. Low Ride (25 pts)
3. In Your Eyes (20 pts)
4. The Genie (19 pts)
5. Friends (14 pts)
6. (tie) The Hunter and Star People (12 pts)
8. Travels (11 pts)
9. (tie) Mirage a Trois and Journey to a Rainbow (8 pts)
11. Les Fleurs (5 pts)
12. Autumn (4 pts)
13. Dave Grusin and the New York/L.A. Dream Band (2 pts)

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Listen to selected tracks from the above albums and other 1983 releases, courtesy of Dr. Smooth:

MFD Random Five #43

In which I click the shuffle icon on the iTunes app and listen to the first five songs that pop up from the years 1976-85.

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1. "Trouble in Paradise" by Al Jarreau (1983, Warner Bros.)
   I consider Jarreau to be one of the best albums of 1983 and this is one of the better songs on said album. Everything works - I don't even mind the synth toms. Even the fact there's no bridge doesn't bother me because the chorus is so good. Released in the fall of 1983, this single peaked at #63 pop and #10 adult contemporary. I think I even have the sheet music to this one around here somewhere - BRB.
   
   


2. "He Could Be the One" by Josie Cotton (1982, Elektra)
   I first heard this one via the Valley Girl movie and the Rhino compilation CD. I liked it so much I subsequently purchased the Convertible Music album so I could hear more Josie. Cotton's retro-60's pop sound is immediately accessible. She sings the entire song as if she's on talking on the phone to her girlfriend, on the verge of a giggle fit, which makes the whole song completely endearing.


3. "Back Seat Betty" by Miles Davis (1981, Columbia)
   As usual, I have no idea what Miles is up to here, but it did remind me of this recent quote I read from Wayne Shorter: "When Miles and I talked, he would ask me a question. 'Hey Wayne -- do you ever get tired of playing music that sounds like music?' Before I answered him, he said, 'I know what you mean.' Like, he's answering his own question." It's great to hear the interplay between Miles and bassist Marcus Miller. At 11+ minutes, it's a bit long for this guy, but I'll still listen to it because it's Miles.


4. "Groovitation" by Deodato (1980, Warner Bros.)
   Too much disco influence to be smooth jazz, but it's pretty close. Deodato lifts his own backbeat from Kool & The Gang's "Ladies' Night," buts a funky bass line on it and tries to milk it for six minutes - doesn't quite work, though.


5. "Sign of the Times" by The Belle Stars (1982, Stiff)
   Catchy, but not great. Sounds like Bananarama (you have to decide for yourself if that's a compliment or an insult).

Vintage Music Pinbacks #3

Third in a series.

Buttons, badges, pinbacks - whatever you call 'em, I've got a shoebox full. Here's a few of my vintage music pinbacks from the late '70s and early '80s:

1.  1x2" The Atlantics, Big City Rock, 1979
2.  1.25" Bow Wow Wow, "Do You Wanna Hold Me?" 1983
3.  3 cm. MTV  (pinback dated 1984)
4.  1.25" Haircut One Hundred, ca. 1982
5.  2" Adam Ant, Friend or Foe, 1982
6.  2.25" Miles Davis, Dr Pepper Music Festival, WPLJ, 1982
7.  1" Police, ca. 1979
8.  1.25" Joe Jackson, Night and Day, 1982