Keyboard Explorations in Organized Chaos
James proves he can think beyond the trio format without losing what makes him essential.
Heads finds Bob James at a turning point, moving away from the straightforward trio setting that defined his earlier work and toward something more textured and arranged. This isn't a radical departure—James is still James, all crisp comping and melodic sensibility—but the addition of horns and a fuller ensemble changes how his ideas land. The title track and several others here benefit from real orchestration, strings breathing underneath the keyboards rather than fighting for space.
What's striking is how much James seems to enjoy the collaborative setup. His playing is sharper when he's threading through ensemble passages, less inclined to noodle for its own sake. The tunes themselves are strong without being flashy—they're the work of someone who understands that good songwriting matters more than technical flash. Some tracks lean into a lighter, almost pop-influenced sensibility that wouldn't have seemed out of place on radio, while others dig into more serious harmonic territory. It's a mixed bag in the best sense: variety without feeling scattered.
Heads represents James as a working musician figuring out his voice in the early part of his career, before he became the session fixture everyone wanted. It's not the obvious place to start if you're new to him—Espionage (1962) is sleeker and more focused—but it's worth hearing because it catches him experimenting, trying different textures, seeing what sticks. The record has aged well partly because James never oversells anything. He's just solving problems at the keyboard, and the results are consistently listenable.
Who's playing
Gary Kingbass
Alphonso Johnsonbass
Will Leebass
Eric Galeguitar
Steve Khanguitar
Jeff Laytonguitar
Jeff Mironovguitar
Phil Bodnersaxophone, woodwind
Michael Breckersaxophone
Eddie Danielsclarinet, flute, tenor saxophone
George Margebaritone saxophone, cor anglais, flute
Gerry Niewoodsaxophone
David Sanbornalto saxophone
Grover Washington, Jr.soprano saxophone
Randy Breckerflugelhorn, trumpet
Jon Faddisflugelhorn, trumpet
John Froskflugelhorn, trumpet
Lew Soloffflugelhorn, trumpet
Marvin Stammflugelhorn, trumpet
Wayne Andretrombone
Tom Mitchelltrombone
Dave Taylortrombone
Steve Gadddrums
Andy Newmarkdrums
Allan Schwartzbergdrums
Ralph MacDonaldpercussion
Mike Mainierivibraphone
Gloria Agostiniharp
Lamar Alsopviola
Alfred Brownviola
Jim BuffingtonFrench horn
Harry Cykmanviolin
Max Ellenviolin
Barry Finclairviolin
Paul Gershmanviolin
Peter GordonFrench horn
Diana Halprinviolin
Bob Jameskeyboard
Harold Kohonviolin
Charles McCrackencello
Marvin Morgensternviolin
John Pintavalleviolin
Max Pollikoffviolin
Matthew Raimondiviolin
Alan Shulmancello
Brooks TillotsonFrench horn
Emanuel Vardiviola
Richard Teekeyboard
Where next?
The musicians on this record
Winelight 1980
Grover Washington Jr.
plays soprano saxophone here
plays soprano saxophone here
Pilgrimage 2007
Michael Brecker
plays saxophone here
plays saxophone here
Taking Off 1975
David Sanborn
plays alto saxophone here
plays alto saxophone here
♫
Youngblood 1976
Jon Faddis
plays flugelhorn here
plays flugelhorn here
