Jess Roden - The Player Not The Game (1977, SHM 2010)⭐

Artist: Jess Roden
Title Of Album: The Player Not The Game
Year Of Release: 1977/2010
Label: Island Records
Country: UK
Genre: Blue eyed jazzy soft rock
Audio codec: FLAC (*.flac)
Rip type: tracks+.cue

Many British musicians have been influenced by American soul music, and today we'd like to introduce Jess Roden, a white soul singer who, despite being white, provides a funky beat and a sound that makes use of fakery and shouting.

He originally debuted in 1967 with the Alan Brown Set and was a member of the Bats Band, which featured members of Bronco and The Doors + Gonzales, but made his solo debut in 1974 with ``Jess Roden,'' produced by Allen Toussaint.

This is his second album, released in 1977, and arranged by Leon Pendarvis (well known for his work with Quincy Jones and Roberta Flack). Jess Roden is an extraordinary singer who effortlessly sings a wide range of genres including ballads, jazz and R&B. Since his music is based on R&B and soul, his singing is better than that of most AOR singers.

The soft and mellow intro to Misty Roses, and Jess Roden's vocals backed by electric piano, are enough to make you expect this to be a great album. The solo is also sophisticated, as it is played by saxophone rather than guitar. The next track, Sensation, is a jazzy ballad with a pleasant electric piano and resonating vibraphone.

Roden gives us a George Benson-esque scatting performance, intertwined with virtuoso John Tropea's impressive solo. The funky mid-tempo track 3Lonely Avenue, sung by Ray Charles, is truly dark with its punchy vocals and gospel-style chorus work.

The Quiet Sound of You and I, which features a magnificent string arrangement, and The Hardest Blow, which also features strings, electric piano, and saxophone, are also great songs to listen to. These are the perfect songs to enjoy Roden's vocals.

The last song is the funky up tune In Me Tonight, which has a great percussion beat. Thanks to the use of top New York musicians such as Anthony Jackson, Francisco Centeno, John Tropea, and Arnold McCuller, the album has a sophisticated sound.

Tracks
1. Misty Roses (Tim Hardin) - 4:00
2. Sensation (Jess Roden, Stephen Vincent) - 4:43
3. Lonely Avenue (Doc Pomus) - 3:38
4. The Quiet Sound Of You And I (Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Bruce Roberts) - 4:27
5. The Hardest Blow (John Cartwright) - 3:04
6. Drinking Again (Johnny Mercer, Doris Tauber) - 6:35
7. Woman Across the Water (Jess Roden) - 4:13
8. In Me Tonight (Jess Roden) - 4:37