JAMES MASON — Rhythm Of Life (review)

JAMES MASON — Rhythm Of Life album cover Album · 1977 · RnB Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Rokukai
Funky and greasy, slick and cool, the lone release from multi-instrumentalist James Mason is a defining album of what some call rare groove. Original presses number less than a thousand. Mason rarely was heard on record again. It's only available in the USA as an import CD (last I checked, which was years ago). That's right, it's obscure folks!

Mason's real claim to fame is his guitar on Roy Ayers 1977 club hit "Runnin' Away". "Rhythm of Life" continues in the same club vein (but NOT disco). A few of these songs are considered acid jazz classics (Sweet Power of Your Embrace, Slick City, the title track) and the project flows gracefully. Vocalist Clarice Taylor bears a forceful presence on many tracks, and Mason uses an incredible variety of instruments to create a breezy, spacey, and funky atmosphere.

I'm not too familiar with contemporary jazz, but this album sounds like THE precursor to the acid jazz movement. If the Brand New Heavies were better and around in the late seventies, this is what they would sound like. If that sounds like your taste, you'll love this album. Otherwise, because of it's obscurity, pick it up at any opportunity. I was lucky and had a buddy spring for a sixty dollar import. I'm stuck with a ripped copy and liner notes I scanned. But hey, I'll take it if it's the only way I can feel the "Sweet Power of Your Embrace" and travel to "Slick City"

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Gratitude Post Bop
SHAREL CASSITY
Buy this album from MMA partners
Bluer Than Blue Post Bop
CAILI O'DOHERTY
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Eternal Fusion
BILLY MOHLER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Lettuce with the Colorado Symphony Fusion
LETTUCE
Buy this album from MMA partners
When Shadows Dance Post-Fusion Contemporary
EYOLF DALE
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

When shadows dance
EYOLF DALE
js· 1 day ago
Jazz Detectives
FRODE KJEKSTAD
js· 2 days ago
Khruangbin - A LA SALA (Full Album)
KHRUANGBIN
js· 3 days ago
Jimsaku - Blaze Of Passion (1995) FULL ALBUM HD
JIMSAKU
snobb· 3 days ago
?? Jimsaku - Mega db (FULL ALBUM)
JIMSAKU
snobb· 3 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed