Grover Washington, Then & Now.
The only Grover album that is based in traditional jazz, rather than the soft quasi-jazz pablum that came to be known as smooth-jazz. This album is smooth too, in that Grover Washington is an extraordinary saxophonist who has a true mastery over his instrument, but there is nothing pablum about it. I believe this record was made for Grover himself and not for the commercial success that his records so often sought and achieved. Helped by Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Tommy Flanagan and a crew of talented sidemen, Then & Now is warm and rich, melodic and dramatic and simply beautiful. With the exception of electric bass, all of the instruments used are acoustic which helps create the traditional sound. All around a beautiful record. What a shame that it was the only one of its style that he recorded.
All time top ten favorite.
