SPYRO GYRA — Spyro Gyra (1976-1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Shaker Song 4:49
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
2    Opus d'Opus 5:08
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
3    Mallet Ballet 5:11
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
4    Pygmy Funk 5:34
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
5    Cascade 3:12
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
6    Leticia 6:10
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
7    Mead 4:00
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
8    Paula / Paw Prints 4:01
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
9    Galadriel 4:55
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
Credits :
Bass – Jim Kurzdorfer
Congas – Rubens Bassini (tracks: 1, 5, 6), Umbopha Emile Latimer
Drums – Tom Walsh
Guitar – Freddy Rapillo (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8, 9), Greg Millar (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7)
Marimba – David Samuels
Organ – Jeremy Wall
Percussion – Jay Beckenstein, Jeremy Wall, Tom Walsh, Umbopha Emile Latimer
Piano – Jeremy Wall, Tom Schuman (tracks: 8)
Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Synthesizer – Jeremy Wall, Tom Schuman (tracks: 7), Tom Schuman (tracks: 8)
Tabla – David Samuels (tracks: 1, 4)
Trombone – Fred Marshall (tracks: 6), Rick Bell (tracks: 2)
Trumpet – Tony Garruso (tracks: 6)

SPYRO GYRA — Morning Dance (1979-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Spyro Gyra is the first album by the jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra, released in 1978. The cover shows a picture of DNA in a galaxy in space. This was the group's only record released on Amherst.
Tracklist :
1    Morning Dance 3:57
Alto Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Bass – Jim Kurzdorfer
Congas, Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Drums – Ted Reinhardt
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – John Tropea
Electric Piano – Jeremy Wall
Marimba, Steel Drums – David Samuels
2    Jubilee 4:31
Alto Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Bass – Will Lee
Congas, Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Drums – Steve Jordon
Electric Guitar – John Tropea
Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Jeremy Wall
Marimba – David Samuels
Trumpet, Soloist – Randy Brecker
3    Rasul 3:17
Bass – Jim Kurzdorfer
Drums – Ted Reinhardt
French Horn – John Clark
Guitar – Rick Strauss
Piano [Acoustic Piano], Electric Piano – Jeremy Wall
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
4    Song For Lorraine 3:59
Bass – Jim Kurzdorfer
Congas, Bongos, Percussion – Gerardo Velez
Drums – Eli Konikoff
Guitar – Chet Catallo
Soprano Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Synthesizer – Suzanne Ciani
5    Starburst 5:08
Bass – Will Lee
Congas, Timbales, Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Drums – Steve Jordon*
Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Jeremy Wall
Guitar – John Tropea
Tenor Saxophone [Intro] – Jay Beckenstein
Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Michael Brecker
6    Heliopolis 3:34
Alto Saxophone, Metallophone [Boobams], Percussion – Jay Beckenstein
Bass – Will Lee
Congas, Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Drums – Steve Jordon
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Soloist – Tom Schuman
Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Jeremy Wall
Guitar – John Tropea
Marimba – David Samuels
7    It Doesn't Matter 4:30
Bass – Jim Kurzdorfer
Congas – Gerardo Velez
Drums – Eli Konikoff
Guitar – Chet Catallo
Soprano Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Synthesizer – Jeremy Wall, Suzanne Ciani
8    Little Linda 4:27
Alto Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Bass – Jim Kurzdorfer
Bongos, Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Drums – Ted Reinhardt
Electric Piano, Piano [Acoustic Piano], Percussion – Jeremy Wall
Guitar – Rick Strauss
Vibraphone – David Samuels
9    End Of Romanticism 5:20
Bass – Jim Kurzdorfer
Drums – Ted Reinhardt
Electric Piano – Jeremy Wall
French Horn – John Clark
Marimba – David Samuels
Soprano Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Synthesizer, Soloist – Tom Schuman

SPYRO GYRA — Carnaval (1980) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist
1    Cafe Amore    5:02
 Chet Catallo
2    Dizzy    4:40
 Eli Konikoff / Tom Schuman
3    Awakening    5:48
 Jeremy Wall
4    Cashaca    4:18
 Jay Beckenstein
5    Foxtrot    4:40
 Jay Beckenstein
6    Sweet And Savvy    5:12
 Tom Schuman
7    Bittersweet    4:28
 Jay Beckenstein
8    Carnaval    5:26
 Jeremy Wall
Credits
Bass – Jim Kurzdorfer (tracks: 3), Will Lee IV (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 8)
Cello – David Darling (tracks: 2, 3)
Drums – Eli Konikoff (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7), Steve Jordan (tracks: 4, 8)
Flute, Saxophone [Tenor] – Michael Brecker
Guitar – Chet Catallo (tracks: 1 to 7), Hiram Bullock (tracks: 2, 8), John Tropea (tracks: 3 to 7)
Keyboards – Jeremy Wall (tracks: 3, 8), Tom Schuman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7)
Marimba, Vibraphone – David Samuels (tracks: 2, 5 to 8)
Percussion – Gerardo Velez (tracks: 2 to 6, 8), Richard Calandra (tracks: 3), Steve Kroon (tracks: 4, 8)
Percussion, Congas – Crusher Bennett (tracks: 1, 4, 6 to 8)
Producer – Jay Beckenstein, Richard Calandra
Saxophone [Alto], Piano – Jay Beckenstein
Strings – Guy Lumia, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Jesse Levy, Johnathon Abramowitz, Lamar Alsop, Matthew Raimondi, Peter DiMitriades, Richard Sortomme, W. Sandford Allen
Synthesizer – Rob Mounsey (tracks: 1 to 7)
Trombone – Tom Malone
Trumpet – Randy Brecker

SPYRO GYRA — Catching the Sun (1980-1994 ) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless + FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Catching the Sun is one among many similar-sounding but highly popular albums by premier fusion ensemble Spyro Gyra. The group's songs usually contained catchy melodies, prominent backbeats, and some room for improvisational expression, although it was limited and required quick bursts rather than expansive statements. They were and still are near the top in the light jazz and fusion field.  Ron Wynn
Tracklist
1    Catching The Sun    4:41
 Jay Beckenstein
2    Cockatoo    4:04
 Jay Beckenstein / Chet Catallo / Eli Konikoff / Jim Kurzdorfer / Kim Kurzdorfer / Tom Schuman / Gerardo Velez
3    Autumn Of Our Love    5:09
 Jeremy Wall
4    Laser Material    4:59
 Jay Beckenstein / Tom Schuman
5    Percolator    2:28
 Jay Beckenstein
6    Philly    4:18
 Jim Kurzdorfer / Kim Kurzdorfer
7    Lovin' You (Interlude)/Lovin' You    5:48
 Chet Catallo
8    Here Again    4:56
 Jay Beckenstein
9    Safari    4:52
 Jeremy Wall
Credits
Bass – Jim Kurzdorfer (tracks: 1, 3, 6, 8), Will Lee (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9)
Clarinet – Steve Nathan (tracks: 4)
Congas – Rubens Bassini (tracks: 1, 3, 5 to 9)
Drums – Eli Konikoff
Guitar – Chet Catallo (tracks: 1 to 8), Hiram Bullock (tracks: 1, 9), John Tropea (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8)
Marimba, Steel Drums – David Samuels (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9)
Percussion – Gerardo Velez (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9), Jeremy Wall (tracks: 2), Richard Calandra (tracks: 2)
Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein (tracks: 1 to 6, 8, 9)
Synthesizer – Jeremy Wall (tracks: 1, 3, 7 to 9), Tom Schuman
Trombone – Barry Rogers (tracks: 6, 9)
Trumpet – Randy Brecker (tracks: 1, 2, 4)

SPYRO GYRA — Freetime (1981-1986) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Very good fusion album by the masters, Spyro Gyra. This might be my fave album of theirs. I love the beats and the melody, they always have great hooks, especially their early stuff. Their sound evolved as the 80s went on; Breakout in 1986 was especially good in this period of transition  Russell Seilhamer
Tracklist :
1    Freetime 6:03
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
Written-By – Eli Konikoff, Tom Schuman
2    Telluride 5:18
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
3    Summer Strut 5:07
Guitar – Steve Khan
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
4    Elegy For Trane 4:25
Cello – David Darling
Cymbal – Richard Calandra
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
5    Pacific Sunrise 7:53
Written-By – Tom Schuman
6    Amber Dream 5:07
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
7    String Soup 3:30
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Piano – Richard Tee
Written-By – Jim Kurzdorfer
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute [Clay], Percussion – Jay Beckenstein
Backing Vocals – Casey Cysick, Valerie Simpson
Bass, Backing Vocals – Will Lee
Drums – Eli Konikoff
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer, Piano – Tom Schuman
Guitar – Chet Catallo, John Tropea
Percussion – Crusher Bennett, Geraldo Velez
Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Rob Mounsey
Synthesizer, Piano – Jeremy Wall
Vibraphone, Marimba – David Samuels

SPYRO GYRA — Incognito (1982) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Last Exit    4:17
 Tom Schuman
2    Old San Juan    6:41
 Jay Beckenstein
3    Harbor Nights    4:22
 Jay Beckenstein
4    Stripes    4:01
 Jay Beckenstein
5    Oasis    5:39
 Jeremy Wall
6    Incognito    5:56
 Tom Schuman
7    Sueño    4:05
 Jeremy Wall
8    Soho Mojo    3:47
 Jay Beckenstein
Credits :
Bass – Marcus Miller (tracks: 2 to 8), Will Lee (tracks: 1)
Congas – Crusher Bennett (tracks: 5, 7), David Samuels (tracks: 2, 3, 6 to 8)
Drums – Steve Gadd
Guitar – Chet Catallo (tracks: 3, 4), Hiram Bullock (tracks: 1, 6), John Tropea (tracks: 3, 4, 7), Steve Love
Harmonica – Toots Thielemans (tracks: 4)
Lyricon – Tom Scott (tracks: 5)
Percussion – Gerardo Velez (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 8), Manolo Badrena (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7)
Piano – Jeremy Wall (tracks: 7), Jorge Dalto (tracks: 2), Richard Tee (tracks: 4, 8)
Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Synthesizer – Rob Mounsey (tracks: 2, 3, 5 to 7), Tom Schuman (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8)

SPYRO GYRA — City Kids (1983-1986) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    City Kids    5:10
Alto Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Bass – Kim Stone
Drums – Eli Konikoff
Guitar – Chet Catallo
Percussion – Gerardo Velez
Written-By, Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Tom Schuman
2    Serpent In Paradise    4:45
Bass – Will Lee
Drums – Steve Jordan
Guitar – Chet Catallo, Hiram Bullock
Guitar [Solo], Guitar – Steve Love
Percussion – Gerardo Velez, Manolo Badrena
Synthesizer – Tom Schuman
Written-By, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Lyricon – Jay Beckenstein
3    A Ballad    5:41
 Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Steve Gadd
Guitar – Chet Catallo
Percussion, Congas – Manolo Badrena
Piano – Jorge Dalto
Vibraphone – Dave Samuels
Written-By, Soprano Saxophone, Lyricon – Jay Beckenstein
4    Nightlife    4:30
 Alto Saxophone, Lyricon – Jay Beckenstein
Bass – Will Lee
Drums – Steve Jordan
Electric Piano – Richard Tee
Guitar – Hiram Bullock
Guitar [Solo], Guitar – Steve Love
Marimba – Dave Samuels
Percussion – Steve Gadd
Written-By, Piano, Synthesizer – Jeremy Wall
5    Islands In The Sky    6:43
 Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Steve Gadd
Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Tom Schuman
Guitar – Chet Catallo, Steve Love
Percussion – Gerardo Velez
Percussion, Congas – Manolo Badrena
Soprano Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Vibraphone, Marimba – Dave Samuels
Written-By, Synthesizer – Jeremy Wall
6    Conversations    5:32
 Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Steve Gadd
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Soprano Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Vibraphone, Marimba – Dave Samuels
Written-By, Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Tom Schuman
7    Silver Linings    4:36
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Steve Love
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Steve Jordan
Guitar – Hiram Bullock
Guitar [Solo] – Chet Catallo
Percussion – Gerardo Velez
Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Tom Schuman
Written-By, Alto Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
8    Haverstraw Road    5:00
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums, Percussion – Steve Gadd
Guitar – Chet Catallo, Steve Love
Piano, Electric Piano – Richard Tee
Written-By, Alto Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Tenor Saxophone – Lou Marini
Trombone – Dave Bergeron
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Alan Rubin, Lew Soloff

SPYRO GYRA — Access All Areas (1984) FLAC (tracks), lossless

An excellent live double album, it includes live versions of songs from early albums. Paul Kohler
Tracklist :
1    Shaker Song    6:57
 Jay Beckenstein
2    Serpent In Paradise    5:52
 Jay Beckenstein
3    Heliopolis    11:12
 Jay Beckenstein
4    Harbor Nights    6:52
 Jay Beckenstein
5    Conversations    8:16
 Tom Schuman
6    Schu's Blues    4:36
 Tom Schuman
7    Morning Dance    5:25
 Jay Beckenstein
8    Islands In The Sky    6:21
 Jeremy Wall
9    Sea Biscuit    5:22
 Jay Beckenstein / Chet Catallo / Eli Konikoff / Tom Schuman / Gerardo Velez
10    Latin Streets    7:58
 Jorge Dalto / Gerardo Velez
Credits :
Bass – Kim Stone
Drums – Richie Morales
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Percussion – Gerardo Velez
Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Vibraphone – Dave Samuels

SPYRO GYRA — Alternating Currents (1985-1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Featured is great songwriting and playing, and nice work by keyboardist Tom Schuman. Paul Kohler
Tracklist :
1    Shakedown 4:22
 Jeremy Wall
2    Alternating Currents 4:28
 Jay Beckenstein
3    Taking The Plunge (For Jennifer) 4:58
 Jay Beckenstein
4    Binky's Dream No. 6 4:13
 Jay Beckenstein / Julio Fernandez / Richie Morales / Tom Schuman / Kim Stone / Gerardo Velez
5    PG 4:15
 Jay Beckenstein
6    Heartbeat 4:48
 Jeremy Wall
7    Mardi Gras    6:04
 Dave Samuels
8    I Believe In You 5:31
 Tom Schuman
9    Sunflurry 5:01
 Tom Schuman
Credits :
Bass – Kim Stone
Drums – Richie Morales
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Percussion – Gerardo Velez
Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Vibraphone – Dave Samuels

SPYRO GYRA — Breakout (1986) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

An album with more midtempo jazz-style tunes and nice arrangements, it features Julio Fernandez and synth programming by Eddie Jobson. Paul Kohler
Tracklist :
1    Bob Goes To The Store 4:36
Written-By – Kim Stone
2    Freefall 4:52
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
3    Doubletake 4:05
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
4    Breakout 4:37
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
5    Body Wave 4:09
Written-By – Mark Gray, Richie Morales
6    Whirlwind 5:37
Written-By – Dave Samuels
7    Swept Away 5:43
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
8    Guiltless 5:10
Written-By – Tom Schuman
Credits :
Bass – Kim Stone
Drums – Richie Morales
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Saxophone, Lyricon – Jay Beckenstein
Vibraphone, Marimba, Synthesizer [Kat] – Dave Samuels

SPYRO GYRA — Stories Without Words (1987-1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

A nice mix of jazz, with tenor and soprano sax melodies that really sing. Paul Kohler
Tracklist :
1    Cayo Hueso 5:29
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
2    Serpentine Shelly 4:33
Written-By – Tom Schuman
3    Del Corazon 6:25
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
4    Early Light 4:23
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
5    Nu Sungo 4:10
Written-By – Manolo Badrena
6    Chrusalis 4:12
Written-By – Dave Samuels
7    Joy Ride 4:55
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
8    Pyramid 6:25
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
Credits :
Bass, Vocals – Roberto Vally
Drums – Richie Morales
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Marimba, Vibraphone – David Samuels
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Saxophone, Producer – Jay Beckenstein

SPYRO GYRA — Rites Of Summer (1988) APE (image+.cue), lossless

1998's Rites of Summer is the album on which Spyro Gyra once and for all abandons every pretense toward being anything other than a slickly commercial instrumental pop outfit with occasional feints toward the smoothest of smooth jazz. As always with Spyro Gyra, the slower and more impressionistic tunes are much more interesting than the upbeat songs. Where "Daddy's Got a New Girl Now" sounds like the backing track to an unreleased Deniece Williams single and "No Man's Land" and "Captain Karma" sound as if they were written as background music for the local forecasts on The Weather Channel, "Claire's Dream," by bandleader and saxophonist Jay Beckenstein, is haunting and memorable, and keyboardist Tom Schuman's "Innocent Soul" is a downright lovely mélange of Brian Eno and Erik Satie at their most lyrical. Fans who admired the more complex and occasionally even edgy sound of Spyro Gyra's earliest albums will be disappointed, but those who liked the rest of their '80s releases will find this comfortingly familiar. Stewart Mason
Tracklist :
1    Claire's Dream    5:38
 Jay Beckenstein
2    Daddy's Got A New Girl Now    4:02
 Jay Beckenstein
3    Limelight 4:27
 Dave Samuels
4    Shanghai Gumbo 4:28
 Julio Fernandez
5    Innocent Soul    4:52
 Tom Schuman
6    No Man's Land    5:37
 Jeremy Wall
7    Yosemite    5:21
 Jeremy Wall
8    The Archer 4:59
 Richie Morales
9    Captain Karma    5:40
 Tom Schuman
Credits :
Bass – Oscar Cartaya
Drums – Richie Morales
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Percussion – Dave Samuels
Producer, Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming By] – Steve Shapiro

SPYRO GYRA — Point of View (1989) APE (image+.cue), lossless

1989's Point of View is a much more up-tempo collection than Spyro Gyra had delivered on their last several albums; only Dave Samuels' lovely vibes- and percussion-enhanced "Riverwalk" counts as a ballad, and even it has a moderately sprightly tempo. The problem is that Spyro Gyra's slower and more impressionistic tunes have always been their most interesting, and the lack of ballads is a fairly big strike against Point of View. Also, the too-concise arrangements -- only the woefully misnamed "Swamp Thing" breaks the six-minute barrier, and over half the songs don't even hit five -- keeps the group members, who are all fine soloists when they get the opportunity, from breaking out long enough to really build something interesting. Not quite jazz, not quite pop, Point of View is a record made only for unobtrusive listening in the background of chain restaurants. Even Kenny G. fans might find this stuff insipid. Stewart Mason
Tracklist :
1    Slow Burn    4:07
 Dave Samuels
2    Swing Street    5:13
 Jay Beckenstein
3    Fairweather    4:46
 Benny Golson / Tom Schuman
4    The Unknown Soldier    5:16
 Jay Beckenstein
5    Hannibal's Boogie    5:59
 Jay Beckenstein
6    No Limits    4:41
 Jay Beckenstein
7    Carolina    4:31
 Richie Morales
8    Riverwalk    4:28
 Dave Samuels
9    Swamp Thing    6:25
 Jeremy Wall
10    Counterpoint    3:54
 Jeremy Wall
11    Gotcha    4:10
 Oskar Cartaya
Credits :
Bass – Oscar Cartaya
Drums – Richie Morales
Guitar – Jay Azzolina
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Percussion – Roger Squitero (tracks: 1, 7, 11)
Producer, Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Rhythm Guitar – Julio Fernandez (tracks: 5)
Synthesizer [Mallet-triggered], Marimba, Vibraphone – David Samuels

SPYRO GYRA ft. JAY BECKENSTEIN — Fast Forward (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Spyro Gyra's first album for MCA after their longtime label, GRP-Crescendo, was absorbed into its corporate parent, 1990's Fast Forward carries the curious band subtitle "featuring Jay Beckenstein." Saxophonist Beckenstein has certainly always been the band's leader, writing a good chunk of the material and producing the albums, but given that the lineup is basically unchanged from the previous few Spyro Gyra albums, the new nomenclature is puzzling. It also goes against Spyro Gyra's entire musical aesthetic, as the group's unabashedly commercial and melodic style works against the traditional jazz concept of soloists and sidemen. Everyone on Fast Forward plays the melody, the whole melody, and nothing but the melody, with no improvisations or sidebars. The resulting tunes are unfailingly pleasant -- there's nothing here that would cause anyone to leap immediately to the forward skip button on their CD player -- but this relentlessly safe smooth jazz is unfortunately deficient on memorable songs, expressive playing, or foot-tapping tunes. It doesn't really "feature" anyone in particular. Stewart Mason
Tracklist :
1    Pipo's Song 4:53
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
2    Introduction To Breathless 1:05
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
3    Breathless 5:19
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
4    Introduction To Real Time 0:23
Written-By – Dave Samuels
5    Real Time 3:56
Written-By – Dave Samuels
6    Jennifer's Lullaby 5:40
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
7    Whitewater 6:12
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
8    Inside Your Love 4:07
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
9    Nothing To Lose 5:03
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein, Julio Fernandez
10    Three Wishes 4:47
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
11    Gliding 4:50
Written-By – Dave Samuels, Jay Beckenstein
12    Cabana Carioca 5:18
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
13    Rollercoaster 4:29
Written-By – Tom Schuman
14    Three Wishes Reprise 1:41
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
Credits :
Bass – Scott Ambush
Drums – Joel Rosenblatt
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Marimba, Vibraphone – Dave Samuels
Percussion – Sammy Figueroa
Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein, Larry Williams
Trombone, Bass Trumpet – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Gary Grant
Trumpet, Arranged By [Horn Section] – Jerry Hey

SPYRO GYRA — Three Wishes (1992) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Pipo's Song 4:53
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
2    Introduction To Breathless 1:05
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
3    Breathless 5:19
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
4    Introduction To Real Time 0:23
Written-By – Dave Samuels
5    Real Time 3:56
Written-By – Dave Samuels
6    Jennifer's Lullaby 5:40
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
7    Whitewater 6:12
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
8    Inside Your Love 4:07
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
9    Nothing To Lose 5:03
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein, Julio Fernandez
10    Three Wishes 4:47
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
11    Gliding 4:50
Written-By – Dave Samuels, Jay Beckenstein
12    Cabana Carioca 5:18
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
13    Rollercoaster 4:29
Written-By – Tom Schuman
14    Three Wishes Reprise 1:41
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
Credits :
Bass – Scott Ambush
Drums – Joel Rosenblatt
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Marimba, Vibraphone – Dave Samuels
Percussion – Sammy Figueroa
Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein, Larry Williams
Trombone, Bass Trumpet – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Gary Grant
Trumpet, Arranged By [Horn Section] – Jerry Hey

SPYRO GYRA — Dreams Beyond Control (1993) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Spyro Gyra mostly sticks to their formula of danceable melodic music on this GRP release but there are a few temporary departures. The harmonica of the talented Howard Levy is used prominently on "Breakfast at Igor's," two different horn sections pop up on a few songs and there are a pair of throwaway pop vocals from Alex Ligertwood. However, longtime Spyro Gyra fans have little to fear for the solos of saxophonist Jay Beckenstein and vibraphonist Dave Samuels are predictably pleasant, the light funk rhythms push the ensembles and the band's sound remains distinctive, familiar and comfortable. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Walk The Walk 4:20
Baritone Saxophone [Tower Of Power Horns] – Stephen "Doc" Kupka*
Tenor Saxophone [Tower Of Power Horns] – David Mann, Emilio Castillo
Trumpet [Tower Of Power Horns] – Al Chez
Trumpet [Tower Of Power Horns], Arranged By [Tower Of Power Horns] – Greg Adams
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
2    Patterns In The Rain 4:38
Vocals – Alex Ligertwood
Written-By – Foster Paterson
3    Breakfast At Igor's 5:23
Baritone Saxophone [Tower Of Power Horns] – Stephen "Doc" Kupka
Harmonica – Howard Levy
Tenor Saxophone [Tower Of Power Horns] – David Mann, Emilio Castillo
Trumpet [Tower Of Power Horns] – Al Chez
Trumpet [Tower Of Power Horns], Arranged By [Tower Of Power Horns] – Greg Adams
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein, Scott Ambush
4    Waltz For Isabel 4:43
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
5    South Beach 5:13
Percussion – Marc Quiñones
Tenor Saxophone [No Sweat Horns], Flute [No Sweat Horns], Piccolo Flute [No Sweat Horns] – Scott Kreitzer
Trombone [No Sweat Horns], Bass Trombone [No Sweat Horns] – Randy Andos
Trumpet [No Sweat Horns], Flugelhorn [No Sweat Horns], Arranged By [No Sweat Horns] – Barry Danielian
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
6    Send Me One Line 4:57
Backing Vocals – Lani Groves, Vaneese Thomas, Will Lee
Vocals – Alex Ligertwood
Written-By – John Martyn
7    Bahia 5:08
Percussion – Cyro Baptiste Ciari, Marc Quiñones
Tenor Saxophone [No Sweat Horns], Flute [No Sweat Horns], Piccolo Flute [No Sweat Horns] – Scott Kreitzer
Trombone [No Sweat Horns], Bass Trombone [No Sweat Horns] – Randy Andos
Trumpet [No Sweat Horns], Flugelhorn [No Sweat Horns], Arranged By [No Sweat Horns] – Barry Danielian
Written-By – Dave Samuels
8    Kindred Spirit 4:05
Written-By – Tom Schuman
9    Birks Law 4:36
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
10    Same Difference 5:25
Tenor Saxophone [No Sweat Horns], Flute [No Sweat Horns], Piccolo Flute [No Sweat Horns] – Scott Kreitzer
Trombone [No Sweat Horns], Bass Trombone [No Sweat Horns] – Randy Andos
Trumpet [No Sweat Horns], Flugelhorn [No Sweat Horns], Arranged By [No Sweat Horns] – Barry Danielian
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein, Julio Fernandez
11    The Delicate Prey 5:33
Percussion – Cyro Baptiste Ciari
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
12    Friendly Fire 4:57
Credits :
Bass – Scott Ambush
Drums – Joel Rosenblatt
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Percussion [Mallets] – Dave Samuels
Saxophone, Producer – Jay Beckenstein

SPYRO GYRA — Love & Other Obsessions (1995) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Maybe things were simpler in the '70s, when the birth of what we now call contemporary jazz or pop instrumental really occurred. Long before anyone gave much thought to what to call it, there was one thing we could count on: the fact that a bunch of solid jazz players from Buffalo with a funny band name could dish it up and make it fun. In an industry where the latest sonic trends emerge and disappear in brief flashes of expectation and disappointment, Spyro Gyra's constantly evolving musical vision has made them the most consistent, popular, and enduring of all contemporary jazz ensembles. While their previous effort, the stirring Dreams Beyond Control, aimed for an expansive array of sounds and colors in larger settings, Love & Other Obsessions featured a more focused direction and a definite leaning towards modern R&B and African influences. In an effort to keep things fresh, Beckenstein also chose this time to work with more outside arrangers like Russell Ferrante, Chieli Minucci (of Special EFX), Alex Acuña, and Scott Kreitzer, who contributed the collection's two vocal pieces. Vocals aside, and despite the revised listing of Dave Samuels as a contributing player rather than full-time group member, Spyro is at its best when doing what it does best: adding a practiced oomph to a picture perfect hummability, darting through a few island paradises, returning to the city for the Big Apple vibe, and improvising and rocking where it counts. Most Spyro Gyra collections get off to a trademark rocking start, but this time out, Beckenstein aimed to begin with a smoother mood swing, full of breezy and even romantic subtleties. The saxman's own "Lost and Found" sets such a tone, and founding member Jeremy Wall keeps the hot silk dripping on "Ariana." Then the real fun begins, highlighted by the hooky, playful, decidedly African meets the Caribbean vibe of "Serengeti" (vintage Samuels, naturally), a soulful strut through the diverse humanity along New York's "Third Street," and the aptly titled "Group Therapy." This one is perhaps the disc's most fascinating work, a spontaneous jam session in which each member of the band works out his musical emotions and aggressions in a fun, free-form setting. Everything goes here, from Tom Schuman's spacy synth soloing to Beckenstein gushing some monstrous soprano licks. Jonathan Widran
Tracklist :
1    Lost And Found 5:09
Arranged By, Composed By – Jay Beckenstein
2    Ariana 5:07
Arranged By – Chieli Minucci
Composed By – Jeremy Wall
Drum Programming – Steve Skinner
Vocals – Vaneese Thomas
3    Serengeti 4:54
Arranged By – Alex Acuña
Composed By – Dave Samuels
Keyboards, Arranged By – Russell Ferrante
Lead Vocals – Billy Cliff
4    Fine Time To Explain 4:40
Backing Vocals – Anthony Michael Pompa, Jana Jillis, Keith Fluitt
Co-producer, Arranged By, Composed By – Scott Kreitzer
Lead Vocals – Billy Cliff
5    Third Street 4:48
Arranged By, Composed By – Jay Beckenstein
Drum Programming – Sammy Merendino
6    Group Therapy 5:45
Arranged By, Composed By – Dave Samuels, Jay Beckenstein, Joel Rosenblatt, Julio Fernandez, Scott Ambush, Tom Schuman
7    Horizon's Edge 5:01
Arranged By – Scott Kreitzer
Composed By – Jay Beckenstein
8    Let's Say Goodbye 4:32
Arranged By, Composed By – Anthony Pompa*, Scott Kreitzer
Backing Vocals – Anthony Michael Pompa, Billy Cliff, Jana Jillis, Keith Fluitt, Wondress Hutchinson
Co-producer – Scott Kreitzer
Lead Vocals – Barrington Henderson, Deniece Williams
9    On Liberty Road (For South Africa) 5:52
Arranged By, Composed By – Scott Ambush
10    Rockin' A Heart Place 5:23
Arranged By, Composed By – Julio Fernandez
11    Baby Dreams 4:43
Arranged By, Composed By – Tom Schuman
Credits :
Bass – Scott Ambush
Drums – Joel Rosenblatt
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Percussion – Bashiri Johnson
Percussion [Mallets], Percussion [Mallet Synthesizer], Percussion [Marching Drum] – Dave Samuels
Saxophone [No Sweat Horns], Bass Clarinet [No Sweat Horns], Flute [No Sweat Horns], Alto Flute [No Sweat Horns], Arranged By [Horns] – Scott Kreitzer
Saxophone, Producer – Jay Beckenstein
Trombone [No Sweat Horns], Bass Trombone [No Sweat Horns] – Randy Andos
Trumpet [No Sweat Horns], Flugelhorn [No Sweat Horns] – Barry Danielian

SPYRO GYRA — Heart Of The Night (1996) APE (image+.cue), lossless

There are a few departures from their previous efforts on this Spyro Gyra CD. Dave Samuels, the group's longtime marimba and vibraphonist, was no longer a regular member of the group but does make guest appearances on four of the 11 selections. Trumpeter Randy Brecker solos on "Midnight," and the "No Sweat Horns" (a three-piece horn section) pop up on two other selections. In addition, background vocalists are utilized on "Heart of the Night" and a couple of cellists are added on two numbers. Most interestingly, some of the numbers have straightahead sections and, not too surprisingly, altoist-leader Jay Beckenstein shows that he is quite capable of jamming in that setting. The 1996 version of Spyro Gyra (Beckenstein, guitarist Julio Fernandez, keyboardist Tom Schuman, bassist Scott Ambush and drummer Joel Rosenblatt) also performs some funkier and more commercial tunes but overall this is a stronger-than-usual recording from a jazz standpoint, and a good example of this popular band. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Heart Of The Night 4:34
Arranged By – Chieli Minucci
Composed By – Jay Beckenstein
2    De La Luz 5:14
Composed By – Julio Fernandez
3    Westwood Moon 4:56
Composed By – Julio Fernandez
4    Midnight 4:26
Composed By – Jeremy Wall
5    Playtime 4:34
Composed By – Jay Beckenstein
6    Surrender 4:47
Composed By – Jay Beckenstein
7    Valentino's 4:56
Composed By – Tom Schuman
8    Believe 5:11
Composed By – Julio Fernandez
9    As We Sleep 4:58
Composed By – Scott Ambush
10    When Evening Falls 4:59
Composed By – Jay Beckenstein
11    J Squared 4:49
Composed By – Jay Beckenstein, Joel Rosenblatt
Credits :
Bass Guitar – Scott Ambush
Cello – Eugene Moye (tracks: 2, 9), Jesse Levy (tracks: 2, 9)
Drum – Joel Rosenblatt
Drum Programming – Steve Skinner (tracks: 1)
Ensemble – The No Sweat Horns (tracks: 3, 5)
Flute – Scott Kreitzer (tracks: 3, 5)
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Marimba – Dave Samuels (tracks: 2, 7, 9, 10)
Percussion – Bashiri Johnson
Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein, Scott Kreitzer (tracks: 3, 5)
Trombone – Randy Andos (tracks: 3, 5)
Trumpet – Barry Danielian (tracks: 3, 5), Randy Brecker (tracks: 4)
Vocals – Julio Fernandez (tracks: 2), Porter Carroll (tracks: 1), Vaneese Thomas (tracks: 1)

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)

SPYRO GYRA – Road Scholars (1997) FLAC (tracks), lossless

As boring and formula-driven as Spyro Gyra has often been in the studio, the band's live shows of the 1980s and 1990s could be just the opposite -- exciting, loose and spontaneous. This stems from the fact that on stage, Spyro wasn't catering to commercial radio's rigid formats, and was much more inclined to take risks, improvise and gamble with inspiration. Undeniably Spyro's best release of the 1990s, Road Scholars documents its 1997 tour and finds saxman/leader Jay Beckenstein, keyboardist Tom Schuman, guitarist Julio Fernandez and others in generally good form. Spyro sounds inspired rather than calculated on familar material like "Morning Dance" and "Shaker Song," and meaty solos are the rule. Road Scholars' only studio offering is "Best Friends," a routine, pedestrian number with a Najee-meets-George Howard flavor. But on the whole, the release of this CD proved to be a pleasant surprise. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    Heart Of The Night    6:43
2    Breakfast At Igor's    7:22
3    The Unwritten Letter    5:46
4    Morning Dance    4:16
5    Shaker Song    10:16
6    Shanghai Gumbo    6:29
7    Innocent Soul    6:27
8    South American Sojourn    5:38
9    Ariana    6:09
10    De La Luz    8:26
11    Daddy's Got A New Girl Now    6:00
Credits :
Bass – Scott Ambush
Drums, Percussion – Joel Rosenblatt
Guitar [Guitars] – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Producer, Saxophone [Saxophones] – Jay Beckenstein