David Matthews Orchestra - Grand Connection (2014)

A grand connection from David Matthews – one of the keyboardist's fusion sets for the Japanese Electric Bird label, who gave Matthews a great showcase for his electric grooves in the 80s! The sound here is kind of an extension of the funky electric big band sides that Matthews scored for Kudu and CTI in the late 70s – smoother than his funky work from the early days, in the Japanese fusion style of the time, but with a bit more big band leanings – given a slightly larger lineup. Players include Grover Washington Jr on tenor and soprano sax, George Young on alto and flute, Gerry Niewood on tenor and flute, Joe Shepley on trumpet, Mark Egan on bass, and Earl Klugh on guitar – and titles include "Sugar", "Sails Of Your Soul", "Begin The Beguine", and "Soft & Funky".