Don Grusin No Borders

Rare & Hard-To-Find Audio CDs (series)

Personnel: Don Grusin (piano, keyboards, synthesizer), Ricardo Silviera (guitar), Jerry Goodman (violin), Eric Marienthal (alto saxophone), Abraham Laboriel (bass), Alex Acuna (drums), Dori Caymmi, Clydene Jackson Edwards, Kate Markowitz, Arnold McCuller (vocals).

Personnel: Don Grusin (vocals, piano, synthesizer, hand claps); Clydene Jackson, Dori Caymmi , Arnold McCutler, Kate Markowitz, Arnold McCuller (vocals); Ricardo Silveira (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, hand claps); Abraham Laboriel, Sr. (electric guitar, hand claps); Jerry Goodman (violin); Eric Marienthal (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Joseph Davis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Alex Acu¤a (drums, congas, bongos, cymbals, hand claps, percussion).

Photographer: Peggy Pike Grusin.

Despite playing many songs with geographic titles and including a map of the world in the liners, keyboardist Don Grusin's release is not about world music. The performances are actually overly safe and uniformly easy-listening with upbeat melodies, highly competent but anonymous players and gentle background vocalists; only "Rai Baby" generates a little heat. There is little excuse for such bland music from such talented musicians as Grusin, altoist Eric Marienthal, guitarist Ricard Silveira and violinist Jerry Goodman, making this date a distinct disappointment. ~ Scott Yanow