Eric Gale-Multiplication (1977)

Despite spending much of his career as a session musician working for other artists, Eric Gale is one of the most refined and talented guitarists in jazz fusion, funk, and soul blues. Born in New York, Gale began playing guitar as a child and eventually became one of the most celebrated guitarists, recording with artists such as Grover Washington Jr., Herbie Mann, Nina Simone, Paul Simon, Bob Marley, Van Morrison, and Al Jarreau, among more than 500 collaborations. In 1973, Gale released his first solo album, "Forecast", followed by "Negril" (1975) and "Multiplication" (1978). On the latter, he collaborated with Bob James on production and keyboards, Eddie Daniels on saxophone, Steve Gadd on drums, and Randy Brecker on trumpet, among other prominent musicians in the jazz scene. "Multiplication" is a remarkable work of jazz fusion/rock in which gospel and funk sounds appear here and there, in a series of skillfully played compositions and even better arrangements courtesy of Bob James. From the gospel-infused "Oh Mary Don't You Weep" to the solid fusion tracks "Multiplication" and "Morning Glory", passing through the funky rhythms of "Thumper", the subtle wailing of his guitar in "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child", and the synth-driven sounds of James and Daniels' saxophone in "Gypsy Jello," the album creates a work brimming with rich musical spaces and very pleasing, consistent jazz fusion lines and rhythms.