Spyro Gyra (album) explained

Spyro Gyra
Type:	studio
Artist:	Spyro Gyra
Cover:	Spyrogyra-st.jpg
Released:	1977 (re-released in 1978)
Recorded:	1976 (re-recorded in 1977)
Studio:	Mark Studios (Clarence, NY); Blue Rock Studio (New York, NY).
Genre:	Jazz fusion, smooth jazz
Label:	Crosseyed Bear
Producer:	Jay Beckenstein, Richard Calandra
Next Title:	Morning Dance
Next Year:	1979

Spyro Gyra is the debut album by the jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra, released in 1978. The album was self-released on the label Crosseyed Bear Productions before the band signed with Amherst Records and re-released it with a different cover.

Rankings

At Billboard magazine, the album reached No. 99 on the Top 200 Albums chart^[1] and also No. 99 in Canada.^[2] "Shaker Song" reached No. 16 on the Adult Contemporary singles chart,^[3] No. 90 on the Hot 100 singles chart, and was covered by the Manhattan Transfer on the album Extensions.^[4] In Canada, "Shaker Song" made No. 99 in the Top 100 chart,^[5] and No. 26 in the AO chart.^[6]

Personnel

Band

• Jay Beckenstein – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, percussion, arrangements
• Jeremy Wall – acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Minimoog, ARP Odyssey, ARP String Ensemble, Hammond organ, percussion, arrangements
• Jim Kurzdorfer – bass guitar
• Tom Walsh – drums, percussion
• Umbopha Emile Latimer – congas, percussion

Guests

• Tom Schuman – Minimoog (7), acoustic piano (8), Fender Rhodes (8)
• Greg Millar – electric guitar (1, 2, 5, 7)
• Freddy Rapillo – electric guitar (3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
• Rubens Bassini – congas (1, 5, 6)
• Dave Samuels – marimba (1, 4), tabla (1, 4)
• Rick Bell – trombone (2)
• Fred Marshall – trombone (6)
• Anthony Gorruso – trumpet (6)

Production

• Jay Beckenstein – producer
• Richard Calandra – producer
• Jeremy Wall – assistant producer
• Chuck Madden – engineer
• Craig Bishop – mixing
• Larry Swist – mixing
• Jim Bonnefond – mix assistant
• Rusty Payne – editing
• Michael Cobb – cover design

Notes and References

1. Web site: Top 200 Albums. Billboard. 16 May 2017.
2. Web site: RPM Top 100 Albums - July 22, 1978.
3. Web site: Adult Contemporary Music Chart. Billboard. 16 May 2017.
4. Web site: Extensions. AllMusic. 16 May 2017.
5. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles - July 29, 1978.
6. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles - August 19, 1978.