Miser Magic Grover Washington Jr. is an American saxophonist, composer, and recording artist. Born on December 12, 1943, in Buffalo, New York, Washington is considered one of the pioneers of the smooth jazz genre. He played a significant role in defining and popularizing the genre during the 1970s and 1980s. Washington's musical career began in the late 1960s when he started working as a sideman for notable jazz artists such as Charles Earland and Grant Green. He soon made a name for himself with his distinct saxophone playing style that combined elements of soul, groove, and jazz.
This is one of Grover Washington, Jr.'s best-loved recordings and considered a classic of r&bish jazz. All four songs (which includes Billy Strayhorn's "Passion Flower") are quite enjoyable but it is "Mister Magic" that really caught on as a major hit. Bob James provided the colorful if somewhat commercial arrangements, there are spots for guitarist Eric Gale, and Washington (mostly on tenor and soprano) is heard in particularly creative form. Highly recommended.
This saxophonist s fourth album was soulfully engaged with the strings-laden production sonics of mid- 70s R B but not at the expense of majestic soloing. There s a sound here that s completely sublime and the album is to Grover s career what the first 2 CTI sets by Bob James were to his a stretched-out, masterpiece of sublime jazzy energy served up with a really spacious sound overall.
He soon made a name for himself with his distinct saxophone playing style that combined elements of soul, groove, and jazz. In 1970, Grover Washington Jr. released his debut album, "Inner City Blues.
Mister Magic
Pure dark magic from Grover Washington – a record that was a megahit back in the 70s, but which still sounds amazing many decades later! There's a sound here that's completely sublime – and the album is to Grover's career what the first 2 CTI sets by Bob James were to his – a stretched-out, masterpiece of sublime jazzy energy – served up with a really spacious sound overall! Grover's sharp-edged sax is at the lead of the set – but the album's also awash in electric piano work from Bob James – and backings that are as lean, clean, and soulful as the best on CTI from the time. Titles include the killer "Black Frost" – a track that we never tire of – plus the hit "Mister Magic", and the cuts "Earth Tones" and "Passion Flower". © 1996-2023, Dusty Groove, Inc.
Very Good
- Vinyl can have some dirt, but nothing major.
- May not shine under light, but should still be pretty clean, and not too dirty.
- May have a number of marks (5 to 10 at most), and obvious signs of play, but never a big cluster of them, or any major mark that would be very deep. Most marks should still not click under a fingernail.
- May not look near perfect, but should play fairly well, with slight surface noise, and the occasional click in part of a song, but never throughout a whole song or more.
- This is clearly a copy that was played by someone a number of times, but which could also be a good "play copy" for someone new.
Additional Marks & Notes
If something is noteworthy, we try to note it in the comments — especially if it is an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record. This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip, cover damage or wear as noted above, or strictly cosmetic flaws.
01. Mister Magic (MacDonald, Salter) (9:01)
02. Black Frost (James, Washington) (6:06)
03. Earth Tones (James) (12:23)
04. Passion Flower (Raskin, Strayhorn) (5:36)
" This album set the tone for his future work by showcasing his ability to blend various genres into a cohesive sound. Throughout his career, he seamlessly incorporated elements of funk, R&B, and pop music into his jazz compositions, which gave birth to the smooth jazz style he became known for. One of Washington's most iconic albums is "Mister Magic," released in 1975. The album's title track, "Mister Magic," became a major hit and established Washington as a leading figure in the smooth jazz movement. The album also features other notable tracks like "Earth Tones" and "Black Frost," which showcase his versatility as a composer and musician. Washington's success continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s with albums like "Feels So Good" and "Winelight." The latter earned him a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance in 1982 and included his most famous song, "Just the Two of Us," featuring Bill Withers. Tragically, Grover Washington Jr. passed away on December 17, 1999, at the age of 56 due to a heart attack. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the world of jazz and smooth jazz continue to be remembered and celebrated. His unique sound and ability to blend genres have influenced countless musicians and paved the way for the smooth jazz genre as we know it today. Miser Magic Grover Washington Jr. will always be remembered as a true jazz pioneer..
Reviews for "The Collaborations that Shaped Misrer Magic Grover Washington Jr.'s Career."
1. Jennifer - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Misrer Magic Grover Washington Jr" based on the intriguing title and the positive reviews I had seen. However, I was ultimately disappointed with the book. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many twists and turns that didn't enhance the story. Additionally, the characters felt underdeveloped and lacking depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. Overall, I found the book to be confusing and not as engaging as I had hoped.
2. Ryan - 1/5 - I regret picking up "Misrer Magic Grover Washington Jr". The writing style was overly complex and pretentious, making it difficult to understand the author's intended message. Moreover, the pacing was uneven, with certain sections dragging on while others felt rushed. I found myself constantly confused and disconnected from the story, which really hindered my enjoyment of the book. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written narrative.
3. Emily - 2/5 - "Misrer Magic Grover Washington Jr" was a disappointment for me. The plot was promising, but the execution fell flat. The writing lacked clarity and often seemed disjointed, making it hard for me to fully understand what was happening. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, which made it difficult for me to care about their struggles. Ultimately, I found myself losing interest and skimming through pages just to finish the book. I was hoping for a magical and captivating read, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.