Grover Washington, Jr. – Winelight (Chardonnay Colored Vinyl Edition) (Rhino/Elektra)

The beginnings of smooooooth

Jazz musicians don’t often have hit singles.  So, when “Just the Two of Us” rocketed to #2 in 1980, it was a big deal.  Of course, it got a big assist from the soulful vocals of the ever-reclusive Bill Withers.  The song and album both won Grammys, giving a jumpstart to what would eventually be called “smooth jazz.”  Rhino has just reissued the influential album on special “Chardonnay colored vinyl” as part of Elektra’s 75th anniversary.  

There are subtleties here that make this album great.  Like the gentle washing of synths that open “Winelight.”  That’s accompanied by a funky bass, and a hypnotic guitar line.  Then, Washington, Jr enters, and his sax is as silky as that glass of wine on the album cover.  Although the track starts sensual, it builds behind the excellent rhythm section of Marcus Miller on bass and Steve Gadd on drums, creating this interlocking groove on which Washington, Jr really soars.  Rarely is a lengthy song (this one is 7:30) this exhilarating.  

And that is basically the template for this entire album, lure you in seductively, then take you on a joy ride.  “Let it Flow (For Dr. J)” opens with Rhodes piano and a slinky bass, but by the 5:00 mark, Washington, Jr is letting it loose. “Take Me There” is really sexy, but at 1:30, the intensity, increases and the funk gets going.

The standout here is “Just the Two of Us.”  The 7:20 album version contains, or all things, a lengthy steel drum solo!  The instrumental passages really cook, while Withers’ soulful delivery calm everything down again. 

Winelight isn’t exactly jazz, or funk or soul – it’s something entirely different, grabbing the best elements of all three. This album paved the way for everything from Kenny G to Sade and Norah Jones.  Mellow  enough to be dinner music, but exciting enough to be enjoyed at any moment.  —Tony Peters