Bob James - Touchdown

Just in case you're totally oblivious, Bob James titled his 6th album Touchdown because that's how many points kicking a homerun is worth. He avoided the whole record execs "invested" my revenue and stuck me with the tax liability thing by having his own personal label from the get go. I think it's named after a bridge that isn't named that anymore, or something.

He's also, as you surely know, the godfather of Hip Hop, because somebody has to make smooth jazz before you can sample and rap over it, so why not Bob James? 

Fun fact, he wrote the title track Touchdown as the original theme for Taxi, but after the show execs heard the track he wrote for an incidental 3rd episode character named Angela, they decided to use that as the theme instead. Who cares as long as they're paying you for something, am i right? 

If i had the brainpower to spare i'd ressurect my imaginary HR manager Sandra for some delightful innuendo, but i don't, so insert your own endo wherever you deem necessary. 

Egads this is good, though. Sure, i could call it the Yacht Rock of Jazz if i wanted to be a jerk, but that synth sound on Sun Runner is so delightfully goofy i'd just be pretending to not enjoy every millisecond. 45 musicians on this thing, i counted, and every single one of them can play. I'm not going to dissect or analyze it, this is just pure feelgood melodic escapism, and it's absolutely delightful. Totally cheesy 70s radio/department store jazz, but sometimes that's exactly what you need. There's even a Doowop/scat solo on Carribean Nights. You can't possibly not enjoy this, you just can't. Touchdown slam dunks a birdie from the pro tee with a croquette mallet, and i simply will not accept any argument to the contrary.