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Title: Sophisticated Sample
Review: I've been a Joe Sample fan since his Crusaders days, and while his music has always been suave, Spellbound stands out as one of his most sophisticated works. Here is an album full of a variety of styles which complement each other instead of clashing. I like almost every song on the album and frequently listen to it on my many road trips. I have seen Joe Sample perform several times and can attest to his inspired and inspirational virtuosity on the piano. On Spellbound, every instrumental is a winner. Among the vocals, Michael Franks on "Leading Me Back To You" and Take 6 on "U Turn" are the standouts. Tommy LiPuma, who has produced albums for the likes of Michael Franks and the Mark-Almond Band, produces another winner here. In my opinion, this is Joe Sample's best album since The Hunter. It behooves every real jazz fan to go out and add this one to the CD collection.
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