Mister Magic is the fourth album by jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., released in February 1975. The album topped both the soul and jazz albums chart and peaked at number ten on the pop chart.
Critical reception
Reviewing for The Village Voice in 1975, Robert Christgau found the album "functional" and satisfactory for a commercially successful jazz album: "Washington plays a warm tenor in the pop jazz tradition of Gene Ammons, but the rhythm section percolates danceably, and the result is sexy background music only superficially marred by Bob James's strings."
In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow said that it is "one of Grover Washington Jr.'s best-loved recordings and considered a classic of r&bish jazz." He found Washington to be in "particularly creative form" and called James' arrangements "colorful if somewhat commercial".
Track listing
Personnel Grover Washington Jr. – soprano, alto and tenor saxophones Bob James – piano, Fender Rhodes, arrangements and conductor Eric Gale – guitars Phil Upchurch – bass (1) Gary King – bass (2-4) Harvey Mason – drums Ralph MacDonald – percussion
Brass and reed section Phil Bodner – baritone saxophone Jerry Dodgion – tenor saxophone Tony Studd – bass trombone Wayne Andre – trombone Jon Faddis and Marvin Stamm – trumpet, flugelhorn
String section Charles McCracken and Alan Shulman – cello Alfred Brown and Emanuel Vardi – viola Max Ellen, Paul Gershman, Harry Glickman, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin, David Nadien and Matthew Raimondi – violin
Production Creed Taylor – producer Rudy Van Gelder – engineer Bob Ciano – album design Alen MacWeeney – photography Doug Ramsey – liner notes
Charts Chart (1975) Peakposition Billboard Pop Albums10 Billboard Top Soul Albums1 Billboard Top Jazz Albums1
Singles Year Single Chart positions USPop USR&B1975 "Mister Magic" 54 16
References
External links