Luxury Experience - GRP 30: The Digital Master Company 30th Anniversary

GRP, The Digital Master Company, is celebrating 30 fantastic years with the release GRP 30: The Digital Master Company 30^th Anniversary. The 30-track release features music from three-decades with performances from Dave Grusin, Larry Rosen, Lee Ritenour, Patti Austin, George Benson, Arturo Sandoval, Ramsey Lewis, Michael Brecker, Gary Burton, B.B. King, Diane Schuur, Kevein Eubanks, Dizzy Gillespie, Larry Carlton, The Yellowjackets, Spyro Gyra, the GRP All-Star Band, and more.

GRP 30: The Digital Master Company 30th Anniversary: DISC 1: Serengeti Walk (Slippin' in the Back Door); Footprints (Live); I Just Found Out About Love; King of the Lobby; Kid Gloves; Cotton Tail; Kei's Song; Opening Night; People Make The World Go ‘Round; Reunion; Makossa Beat; Tower Of Inspiration; She Likes To Watch; A Mis Abuelos; Cruise Contol Disc 2: Blue Train (Live); Every Mornin'; Move; The Thrill Is Gone; Escher Schetch (A Tale Of Two Rhythms); Walt For Isabel; Sandstone; Blackwood; Early A.M. Attitude; Jamaica Heartbeat; On The Corner; Steepian Faith; Free Hand; First Time Love; How Long Has This Been Going On?

Personnel: Dave Grusin, Larry Rosen, Lee Ritenour, Patti Austin, George Benson, Arturo Sandoval, Ramsey Lewis, Michael Brecker, Gary Burton, B.B. King, Diane Schuur, Kevein Eubanks, Dizzy Gillespie, Larry Carlton, The Yellowjackets, Spyro Gyra, GRP All-Star Band, and more.

GRP 30: The Digital Master Company 30^th Anniversary was produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen and was released on the Verve Music Group Label. The release is a compilation of 30-tracks featuring many of the label's top artists from three decades of progressive jazz.

The 30^th Anniversary release is a collector's must have with a Who's Who of musicians. The Digital Master Company is known by audio enthusiasts for their ability to capture the "best" music and sound quality on every release and on GRP 30^th Anniversary they did not miss a beat.

Disc 1 opens with the track Serengeti Walk (Slippin' in The Back Door) (Dave Grusin and The NY-LA Dream) that leads in with the rhythmic clapping of the audience in time with the music. You will feel like you are at the concert as the recording is accented by the crisp punch of the horns and the cymbals along with sharp chords from the piano to embrace the listener in waves of sound. The live version of Diane Schuur & The Count Basie Orchestra doing I Just Found Out About Love is a magnificent recording that captured the breathtaking energy and vibe of the live show; this is Diane Schuur at her best.

David Benoit's Kei's Song is a piano ballad that is brilliantly rendered and remains one of my all time favorite songs. She Likes to Watch by The Rippingtons is funky and is an in your face sound that typifies the power and freshness of The Rippingtons.

A Mis Abuelos by Arturo Sandoval opens with a Spanish guitar solo that leads to the soft passionate trumpet sound of Arturo Sandoval before he opens the door and rocks the CD with his rousing trumpet work.

Disc 1 features many outstanding tracks that need to be heard to appreciate the artistry of the performer and the recording. Disc 1 closes with the powerful sound of George Benson's Cruise Control, a fitting closing track that will have you anticipating what awaits you on Disc 2.

Disc 2 opens with The GRP All-Star Band Live playing Blue Train. The horn section calls the audience to attention while the powerful jazz wheels get turning as the band, and a commanding trumpet solo by Arturo Sandoval, has the audience clapping, cheering, and yelling bravo. The track Every Mornin', by Dizzy Gillespie, captures Dizzy's energy in a command performance with his band and especially Kenny Kirkland on piano.

One of B. B. King's trademark songs, The Thrill is Gone, is captured live and B. B. King is in special voice on this track. An inspiring rendition that has "Lucille" singing the blues along with B. B.'s deep bluesy vocals.

Another great track from Disc 2 is Waltz for Isabel by Spyro Gyra from their 1993 release Dreams Beyond Control, a beautiful and stirring song. The Yellowjackets take their turn with the track Sandstone from their 1993-release Like A River; a driving improvisational jazz track featuring Williams Kennedy's energetic drums, Russell Ferrante's phenomenal keyboard work, Bob Mintzer's gripping horns, and Jimmy Haslip's dancing fingers on the bass.

Disc 2 closes with the track How Long Has This Been Going On? by Dave Grusin, and unlike the song's title, this release is not a look back as much as it is a testament to the quality, taste, and what lies ahead. The GRP 30^th Anniversary release has it all, there is no need to flip through your music files and try to select 30 great tracks, just spin the GRP 30^th Anniversary release, you could not have chosen a better selection of music.

Websites where you can procure GRP 30: The Digital Master Company 30th Anniversary are Amazon, iTunes, and eMusic.