SPYRO GYRA — 20/20 (1997) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Artistically, Spyro Gyra hit an all-time low in the mid-1990s. The use of outside arrangers and pop vocalists had proven detrimental, and the band was sounding even more formulaic than usual on banal albums like 1995's Love and Other Obsessions. More self-contained and devoid of adult contemporary singing, 20/20 is a slight improvement. Though Spyro still sounds contrived and is hardly challenging, a few of the songs are somewhat likable, including the moody "The Unwritten Letter" and the angular "Rockaway to Sunset." Dave Samuels, once a full-time member, makes a guest appearance on the salsa-influenced "South American Sojourn" and the Brazilian-ish "Dark-Eyed Lady" -- both of which, although pleasant enough, aren't nearly as interesting as the music he'd been creating in the Caribbean Jazz Project. And, not surprisingly, fluffy "elevator muzak" such as "Together" sounds like it was designed for only one purpose: radio airplay. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    The Unwritten Letter    5:07
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
2    Ruled By Venus    4:49
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
3    20/20    5:26
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
4    Three Sisters    4:41
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
5    Sweet Baby James    3:51
Written-By – James Taylor
6    The Deep End    6:35
Written-By – Scott Ambush
7    Together    4:31
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
8    Dark-Eyed Lady    4:55
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
9    South American Sojourn    4:12
Written-By – Joel Rosenblatt
10    Rockaway To Sunset    5:48
Written-By – Tom Schuman
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Producer – Jay Beckenstein
Bass – Scott Ambush
Drums – Joel Rosenblatt
Guitar [Electric, Acoustic] – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Percussion – Bobby Allende (tracks: 1, 9), Manolo Badrena
Piccolo Flute – Scott Kreitzer (tracks: 9)
Tenor Saxophone [No Sweat Horns] – Scott Kreitzer
Trombone [No Sweat Horns], Bass Trombone [No Sweat Horns] – Randy Andos
Trumpet – Chris Botti (tracks: 6, 10)
Trumpet [No Sweat Horns], Flugelhorn [No Sweat Horns], Arranged By [No Sweat Horns] – Barry Danielian
Vibraphone, Marimba – Dave Samuels (tracks: 8, 9)
Vocals – Doris Eugenio (tracks: 7, 8), Eugene Ruffolo (tracks: 7, 8), Gabriela Anders (tracks: 7, 8)