Eric Gale - In The Shade Of A Tree

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1982
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:32
Size: 74,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:38)  1. The Doctor Knows
(4:47)  2. Lonely In A Crowd
(5:31)  3. In The Shade Of A Tree
(4:24)  4. Tropicamour
(4:46)  5. Aware And Innocent
(4:50)  6. Gulf Stream
(3:33)  7. Étoile

After releasing Blue Horizon, Eric Gale released In The Shade Of A Tree in Japan later in 1982. Stylistically, the album was similar to Blue Horizon, and was well received in Japan. In The Shade Of A Tree also sold well in Japan, where Eric was a popular artist. It was ironic that Eric Gale’s music was more popular halfway around the world than in his home country. Maybe his next album for Elektra/Musician would see Eric Gale’s fortunes improve in America?  Having released In The Shade Of A Tree, Eric Gale was constantly busy with various projects. He was a member of the NY-LA Dream Band, and had toured Japan with them. Then on his return, he had only a few days before he headed out to Montreux to record a live album. On his return, Eric Gale’s thoughts turned to his next album for Elektra/Musician.  For what became Island Breeze, Eric chose four cover versions. This included Bob James’ Boardwalk and Dark Romance. The other covers were Joe Sample’s My Momma Told Me So and Jeff Medina’s Island Breeze. Eric Gale’s new musical director Jimmy Kachulis penned We’ll Make It, Sooner Or Later and I Know That’s Right. These songs were recorded by a new lineup of Eric Gale’s band.  Since the recording of Blue Horizon, the lineup of Eric’s band had changed quite dramatically. The rhythm section now featured drummers Webb Thomas and Joey DeFrancesco bassist Neddy Smith and rhythm guitarists Mark Mazur and Jimmy Kachulis. They were joined by keyboardists  Ted Lo and Andy Schwartz. This new lineup headed to Rosebud Recording Studio, New York, where Eric Gale took charge of production and played lead guitar. Once Island Breeze was complete, the album was released in 1983.  Before the release of Island Breeze, critics had their say on the followup to Blue Horizon. The reviews were positive, with critics enjoying an album of music that ranged from beautiful ballads to smooth fusion to reggae, funk, jazz and soul. For many, the  uber funky, dancefloor friendly I Know That’s Right which closed Island Breeze was the highlight of the album.  When  Island Breeze was released, it reached just thirty-five on the US Jazz charts. This was a huge blow for Eric Gale,  especially considering the quality of music on Island Breeze, which brought Eric Gale’s career at Elektra/Musician to an end.

Personnel: Eric Gale - lead guitar, arranger;  Winston Grennan - drums;  Mark Mazur - rhythm guitar;  Nasser Nasser - percussion;  Peter Schott - keyboards, arrange;   Neddy Smith - bass;   Freddie Waits - drums; Grover Washington, Jr. - saxophone, guest

In The Shade Of A Tree

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