Genre: pop
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Oceans Between Us
Company: TappanZee/Columbia
Catalog: JC-35364
Year: 1978
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: original lyric inner sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4679
Price: $15.00
Cost: $66.00
Having found this album at a yard sale I was going to pass on it due to the fact Bob James' Tappan Zee label primarily focused on jazz artists. The back cover band picture didn't exactly inspire me, but Harris and company just didn't look like jazz hipsters. Good thing I picked the album up since 1978's "Oceans Between Us" is a surprisingly impressive debut. Co-produced by James and Joe Jorgensen, I'll readily at that I'm at somewhat of a loss to articulate why I like this album so much. There isn't anything particularly original here andevery time I spin the album I find myself playing 'spot the influences'. On the other hand Harris has a voice that's quite attractive and versatile. Along with second lead singer Christine Cordone the pair turn in some beautiful harmony vocal performances on material such as the title track and 'Goodnight My Lady'. The backing band is also quite good (particularly guitarist Robert Leon) and on tracks like 'Snow Blind' Harris and company show they can rock with considerable conviction. Elsewhere, 'Broadway Life' is kind of interesting for it's weird mesh of Springsteen urban woe and jazz moves (courtesy of Hurbert Laws' funky Latin-flavored flute solo). In case you care, 'Oceans Between Us' b/w '' was released as a single (Tappan Zee/Columbia catalog number 3-10865). By the way, I'm still curious to know how these guys got signed to James' Tappan Zee label. As far as I know, they're the only non-jazz act signed to the label ...
"Oceans Between Us" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Ocean Between Us (Allen Harris) - 4:44
2.) Goodnight My Lady (Allen Harris - Stephen Capan) - 3:18
3.) Snow Blond (Allen Harris) - 4:10
4.) Broadway Life (Allen Harris - Larry J. Smith) - 6:05
(side
2)
1.) Actress (Allen Harris) - 3:50
2.) All In a Dream (Larry J. Smith - Christien Cordone) - 3:31
3.) Changes (Robert Leon - Allen Harris - Christine Cordone) - 3:43
4.) Borderline (Allen Harris) - 5:44