Herb Alpert | Keep Your Eye On Me
Herb Alpert | Keep Your Eye On Me
I'm Back folks...taking way too much time off. I needed it. Finding a new job in Southern Cal is no joke, but I got one.
Back in 1987 on A&M Records, modern Jazz Trumpeter Herb Alpert got a little funky for R&B & gave us, "Keep Your Eye On Me". A rather appealing soul-funk jazz piece that was on the strength & startled the R&B fans of Janet Jackson, who probably didn't know she participated on the record until they heard the monster slow jam "Making Love In The Rain" - produced by none other than Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Did you guys remember the cut? How about listening to it again from the video below:
Then, she shows up again for "Diamonds", another bona fide hip joint stimulated from the production controls of Jam & Lewis. I actually grooved senseless to this one back in the 80's, especially when it was hard to fathom seeing Herb bounce to the rhythm & zip the air pockets with the horn to it. Kinda like the way Tom Browne held his own in those years with "Rockin Radio" & "Funkin' Fo Jamaica" & Donald Byrd in "Places & Spaces". Jazz Funk my hard boppin' old school lovers.
Chances are, since Jam & Lewis's touch on the record out matched the remainder of the tracks, I thought the overall album was pretty decent. With Herb taking on numerous arrangements in similar taste: "Hot Shot", & "Rocket To The Moon".
However, Jam & Lewis gave the listeners plenty of reasons why they came out to master the groove with "Keep Your Eye On Me" & "Pillow". Significant cuts that left a extensive impression of feel, sleek arrangements & a reflection of what to expect from Jam & Lewis no mattered what style of music they came to represent. A badd MoFo for Jazz music that brought about a different sound for Herb & shed light on how much 'Control' Janet Jackson had on us in the 80's & beyond. And another reason to wear those 'Johannesburg' slacks with the hat to match whenever we stepped to the club to 'bump' to anything coming from the Flyte Time Production dept.
The record is a keeper & a must have for the jazz music collection, music seekers.
And Marvin, please 'keep your eye on me'. More juicy fruit reviews are coming dawg.
Peace,
Charles F. Sherard
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 8/17/2009 5:34 AM 
Categories: Urban Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, Videos, Old School Jazz
Categories: Urban Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, Videos, Old School Jazz
I am not hating, that review was off the chain,
can't wait for more, glad you found something. hope everything works out.
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Hey Charles, welcome back man. This was a cool review & good flashback. Thanks.
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Where can I find more information on the topic of this article?
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