I never thought I'd hear Spyro Gyra on ANY reaction channel!! They represent the roots of what's known as SMOOTH jazz, and it's definitely a fun genre to listen to and zone out to. Another song from Spryo Gyra that you might dig is "Limelight" on their "Rites of Summer" album from 1988. Smooth jazz is a slippery slope. Before you know it, you'll be reacting to the Rippingtons and Lee Ritenour! Y'all might actually like the vocalist, Michael Franks. He's super smooth with a jazzy "islandy" feel. For some classic jazz, however, you could start with the song "Old Folks"by Miles Davis 1961. Glad you're stepping into the world of jazz as it covers a wide spectrum with many flavors and colors.
A lot of Oldies instrumental arrangements Telstar The Tornados Because Thery're Young Duane Eddy Tequilla The Champs Take Five Dave Brubeck Green Onions Booker T and the MG's Apache The Shadows Walk, Don't Run The Ventures The Magnificent Seven John Barry Bumble Boogie B. Bumble and the Stingers A Summer Place Percy Faith Love is Blue Paul Muriat Wipeout The Surfaris Pipeline The Chantays Classical Gas Mason Williams
Seriously. I never thought it either. The first time I heard thi I fell in love with it. Only a very smal handful of songs can I say that about. Classical Gas Jennifer Juniper Lucy -Linus [ theme song], Movin’ On [ by “Missouri] What Is Life [ George Harrison],
I start every morning with this, special to me, song. My husband came home with this album when I was pregnant with our first child. Two months after his passing, I won outdoor concert tickets to see them perform live at a local park. So on a cool April night, I looked up at the stars and knew he was listening with me to some special music. (Gee, y'all made me cry)
Now you're jammin' with some SMOOTH JAZZ! This song always gets me in a happy mood. You guys simply MUST try a live jazz club. Aint nothing wrong with just instrumentals, especially when played with such skill!
Breezing' was such a huge cross genre hit. It was my first Jazz album purchase. Then Herbie Hancock Rockit had me buying another album and next thing I know I am knee deep in Methany, Wes Montgomery, Chet Baker...
Love the smooth jazz/pop sound of this. Another terrific pop jazz vocal artist is Basia. She is a Polish native that moved to the UK. She was most popular late 80's/early 90's. My favorite by her is "Cruising for Bruising" but she also had hits with "Time and Tide", "New Day for You" and "Promises", as well as a great cover of Stevie Wonder's "Until You Come Back to Me.".
You’re hearing an alto sax. In a few weeks when you revisit Spyro Gyra, please give “Catching The Sun” consideration. It bookends nicely with “Morning Dance” and has a tasty little guitar break that feeds into a muted horn, then keys.
Love hearing this!! Another artist you have to hear is Grover Washington, Jr.! His music goes from instrumentals to duets with great singers like Bill Withers. An instrumental - "Mr. Magic", and with Bill Withers "Just The two of Us"!
Oh, NOW you're right up my street! I've been listening to Spyro Gyra for literal decades! They practically invented smooth vibe! There's a whole bunch of material to draw from, from a huge catalog! Enjoy, and look forward to more from them in the future! Great reaction as always!
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "Starburst" and many other tracks off this album!!! 'Morning Dance' is the title cut from their 2nd album. Also: "Just Around the Corner"- Herbie Hancock (keyboardist) a song from his album 'Mr. Hands' is funky and more upbeat!! Herbie has 6 Grammy awards in 3 different genres and an Academy Award for Best Original Score!!
Other great jazzy instrumental tracks: Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good (lots of horns) .... Dale Jacobs - Cobra ----- Rock classics "Edgar Winter Group - Frankenstien" .... Two great tracks from an amazing band that take you from instrumental into a song: Alan Parsons Project - I Robot/I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You .. Alan Parsons Project - Sirius/Eye In The Sky
"I am the eye in the sky, looking at you I can read your mind I am the maker of rules, dealing with fools I can cheat you blind" Prophetic. Did they know?
So reminds me of the summer of 78. A friend was so into jazz and that's all he would play. Speaking of which, please try George Benson Masquerade. I promise you will love it!
The late Dave Samuels on the vibraphone was awesome. I got to see him play this song live with Spyro Gyra in 1990. Later Dave Samuels started the band "Caribbean Jazz Project." I got to see them live also.
The vocalese version by The Manhattan Transfer is no slouch, either. There are enough references in the lyrics to keep these cats reacting to jazz for a decade.
@@ToABrighterFuture They should play the Weather Report followed by the Manhattan Transfer version to appreciate the brilliance of the vocalese. I bought my first Manhattan Transfer album because it had Birdland on it.
When I got my first CD player for my 13th birthday, my sister gave me the Catching the Sun album by Spyro Gyra, and I listened to it all the time! Such a great way to soak up the music.
WHAT?!!! This was my teen & college years soundtrack! While my contemporaries were into Zepplin, Aerosmith, Queen, etc..I was the odd duck that was into Gino Vanelli, Toto, Steely Dan & Spyro Gyra among others. Love it!! I saw them in 1980 at the Agora in Dallas TX. I loved all the rock of the 70’s, but I also leaned into the jazzier progressive stuff that most didn’t listen to at that time. Thx for this one. Jay Beckenstein is the founder (sax) of SG. Those were the days. Wow!
David Benoit- Freedom After Midnight. I'm so happy you are diving into this genre. You will not regret it. Also, in the instrumental genre, especially with Holidays coming soon, please check out Mannheim Steamroller. Their Christmas music is a must every holiday season!!
I had forgotten how good this group is. Thanks again, guys for the memories. 💓 My 2nd grade teacher played a xylophone and kept one in our classroom. She played for us all the time and also taught us French. What a great teacher.
Wow! Spyro Gyra! takes me back to high school when I discovered this stuff. As stated earlier, this is sometimes called Smooth Jazz or also Fusion Jazz, since it is a melding between pop-rock and jazz. And Spyro Gyra was one of the best groups doing it. I will highly recommend their tune "Old San Juan" for a listen. It is a real rocker - one of their best tunes, I think - and it has a nice horn back-up line, which I know you guys like.
Thank you. This is one of my all time favorite bands. I try to catch them whenever they come to town. This is no lounge act. Straight up arena jazz. They play to 1000s not a few dozen. This is their biggest hit and best song but there have a rabbit hole. Some jazz legends passed through their ranks. That opening sound is marimba, which is similar to a Xylophone. It was played by the late great Dave Samuels.
Mangione & Spyro Gyra were my intro to jazz. Now I'm more into Coltrane, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, and Bill Evans (4 of the greatest instrumental jazz artists), but I still have love for my earliest jazz heroes.
Jay and Amber, loved this reaction. What a treat to hear Spyro Gyra on here. I still have all their vinyl albums from the 70's. This song was the first tune I performed as a brand new professional saxophonist back in 1989. I am so glad you guys enjoyed this wonderful classic. And FYI Jay, the saxophonist is also Jay!
This was released in 1979, and it was a huge hit! Another prime example of what an eclectic and hodge-podge of wildly popular songs, no matter what the genre! This was a real treat for me, as I went through my teens in the 70s! Thank you for this reaction and for the great memories!
Another Spyro Gyra hit is "Catching the Sun" I miss those smooth jazz radio stations from the 1980s/90s, they're all gone now at least here in Miami Florida.
It's a while since I heard that. A real summer sound. Though, for a summer sound, the albums "Night Birds" and "Invitation" by Shakatak always give me that "driving in the sun, carefree" vibe. The title tracks were hit singles in the UK. Worth a listen. Bill Sharpe played some mean piano.
I first heard this LIVE in 1983 in Scottsdale Arizona, and it immediately became my favorite piece of music. I bought the album and played it often. Such great memories to hear this now, and thanks for introducing this to your audience. Wonderful!
Here are my favorite instrumental songs. Both were big hits on the radio! #1 Mason Williams - "Classical Gas" (1968), there are many versions of it, but I love the one from the "Smothers Brothers show" (Mason was a writer for the show at the time.) #2 is "Dueling Banjos" (1972) (from a sort of strange movie, Deliverance--not my cup of tea, but had this great instrumental)
So happy you took my suggestion for this song, thank you! Knew you'd love that xylophone. Amber, a couple great jazz sax players to give a listen to are Ronnie Laws & John Klemmer.
Jay & Amber, the main instrument at the beginning, the one that gives this a Caribbean (or island) feeling, is the steel drum (aka steel pan, aka pan). It is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE instrument after the human voice. Literally anything, from classical to jazz to rock to any genre you can think of, can be played on steel drums, but with a wonderfully distinctive sound created by no other instrument. Steel drums were invented in Trinidad by cutting off the end of a steel oil drum, pounding, & tempering it until a musical scale is achieved. I've heard 2 origin stories. They were either created because of all the empty oil drums the U.S. military left behind after WWII, or from oil drums from the island's oil refineries. Please do more reactions to steel drum music. It is wonderfully unique!
Spyro Gyra melodies are so catchy and smooth. So glad to see you reacting to this song. "Catching The Sun" was the gateway album that took me on a journey from Rock to a love for Fusion and Jazz music! Great bopping around the house doing chores music.
When I was still in preschool, my dad used to put this on the TURNTABLE, and we would listen to it before he took me to daycare. I’d dance and laugh; he’d play bongos on pots or whatever was at hand-earliest, best memories! I never thought anyone would ever react to them-I’m so pleased. You guys are truly the best!
In the 90's I used to go to the Blues and Jazz fests in Chicago. I have seen Spyro Gyra live twice--jazz under the stars is unforgettable. And living in Indianapolis, the Wes Montgomery Fest would book acts like Isaac Hayes (Shaft!) and other genre benders like the Ohio Players and the Neville Brothers. I miss it! I am in Kentucky now and Jazz is as rare as hen's teeth.
If y'all are going to get into Spyro Gyra, "Old San Juan" is a *must!* And getting back to Chuck Mangione y'all should give a listen to "Children of Sanchez". And if y'all want an *all horn* group, Hynotic Brass Ensemble has a couple of tracks for you: "Frankincense" and "Balicky Bon". And give Ramsey Lewis some time: "7-11" and "Come Back Jack" might be your speed.
This group was from Tucson on all places and as a teenager/ young adult i used to see them at a resort called The Westward Look in the cantina, Sunday afternoon jazz. Every Sunday were different bands & they played there often! It was dirt cheap, always a great show, and outdoors on a beautiful patio up against a gorgeous Arizona sunset... PRICELESS MEMORIES
Amber & Jordan, U guys like Jazz, here;s a couple that U guys need to react. 1)Champagne by Kenny G; 2)One Wish by Hiroshima; 3)Gotcha by Tom Scott; 4)Boom Town by Richard Elliot; 5)The Hit by Richard Myhill; 6)Trans-Am Highway by Richard Myhill; 7)Dynamics by Richard Allen Harvey; 8)Jet Set by Mike Vickers; 9)Chase by Giorgio Moroder; 10)1980 by Herb Alpert; 11)Rise by Herb Alpert. These all nice Jazz songs that U both have to react to. U can here all those instruments.
The best setting to hear this song is sitting on a Key West beach watching a sunrise or a sunset... definitely an island vibe with those steel drums in there.
@@deborahabston4222 I'M SO JEALOUS!!!! I've always wanted to see them live. I'm a walking encyclopedia of concerts. I've seen so many shows, especially in the 80's and early 90's. Best show I've ever seen was Sir Paul McCartney. As soon as he hit the stage, I started to cry....lol.
This song was Spyro Gyra's one and only Top 40 hit. The song peaked at the #24 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the summer of 1979. The man on the lead sax is Jay Beckenstein. He's also the lead founder of Spyro Gyra. What a beautiful banger of a song indeed!!! By the way, this song is a old-school smooth jazz classic!!!
Here some good instrumentals: A Taste of Honey by Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass,Love is Blue by Paul Mauriat,Classical Gas,Mason Williams,Dueling Banjos by Eric Weissberg, Fifth of Beethoven by Walter Murphy,Love “s Theme by Love Unlimited Orchestra,White Summer/Black Mountain Side Jimmy Page acoustic guitar
"Grazing In The Grass" by Hugh Masekela and "Green Onions" by Booker T & The M.G.'s I would throw in there, as well. Can't keep "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck off also. I always loved "Airport Love Theme" by Vincent Bell, "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles and "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited, as well. Going back there a bit with these. To get a bit different "Popcorn" by Hot Butter. One of my special secret Disco instrumentals would be "Spring Rain" by Silvetti (Bebu Silvetti)😊
I was very fortunate to see them back in 80's in a club setting in Chicago...great musicians who loved their craft. It was one birthday present that I will never forget!
I love Spyro Gyra and immediately upvoted before I even watched! For a moment I thought Amber was going to get up and dance, she was so lost in the sauce 😄 How about ELO, “Fire on High” as another great instrumental? ❤️
An FYI for your musical education: What you referred to as a xylophone, I believe was actually a marimba. Xylophones have metal bars that you strike so they have a very metallic sound. Marimba's have wooden bars that give a much more mellow sound. Marimba's and vibraphone's (built-in motor spinning something to give the sound some vibrato) are used often in jazz. Xylophones are most often used in marching band.
I think both of you would enjoy "Rise" by Herb Albert. "Rise" is a jazzy instrumental song that was released at the tale end of the disco era so it has a hint of disco in it. Herb Albert is a jazz artist who has been playing for decades and he was at the height of his fame when "Rise" came out and it went to number one on the Billboard music charts. The horns are fierce in this song and I really, really hope you review it. Another instrumental I would suggest is from a film and that would be Vangelis' "Chariots Of Fire". It's sort of a classical type of instrumental but that would be a great way to get introduced to his music and honor an incredible composer who died earlier this year. It was a big hit in the early 1980's and it also won best musical score at the Academy Awards.
Okay, you just blew my mind! Spyro Gyra definitely was part of my life's soundtrack back in the day -- and I never thought anyone on TH-cam would care to react to this iconic song. Thank you!
This is great. I forgot all about Spiro Gyra and their smooth sounds. I believe you would enjoy Dave Brubeck and his band; his Take Five is a legendary hit that he had in the early 1960s. There's a TH-cam video of Dave Brubeck playing Take Five that I watch frequently. I hope you can react to it.
It’s similar to a xylophone it’s called a Marimba (bigger with more notes)! The only other notable Marimba solo in a pop song is by the group Starbuck, Moonlight feels right. Love it every time I hear it!
Very refreshing. Reaction channels generally do just pop and rock. Thanks for trying something new. Jay Beckenstein has a very clean technique, definitely NOT a dirty sax. And Dave Samuels, on marimba, was the first time I heard a marimba solo on the radio. This DID cross over to Top 40 radio when I was a kid. Watching marimba players is even more fun than just listening, as they hold more than one mallet in each hand. Lots of respect for the skill.
For your next Spyro Gyra song, if you do another, consider trying "Pacific Sunrise." It has a breakdown in the middle that has some rubber-burnin' solos and interesting rhythms. Fun! Also consider "Freetime" for its funky elements, bass guitar poppin', and more rippin' solos.
Wow, you guys are full of surprises...Spyro Gyra! Excellent choice! You need to react to Frankenstein by the Edgar Winter Group! That should be your next instrumental.
These guys are great in concert. They are all extremely talented musicians. I saw them years ago and they even rocked a Jimi Hendrix song. Morning Dance is one of my favorites by these guys who met in college in Buffalo. Anytime you hear sax, steel drums and vibraphone (not xylophone) in a song you're living good.
Wow! Haven't heard this since I was a little kid. We used to have this as a 45 record (I know... ancient technology... lol ). Thanks for reminding me of this great band.
I saw Spyro Gyra in the mid-80s at an outdoor concert at a winery in Napa Valley. It was at the height of their career, and they were performing for their hometown fans from the Bay Area. Any time I hear one of their fabulous, upbeat songs, I'm transported back to that vineyard. Keep tumbling down the Spyro Gyra rabbit hole. You won't regret a minute.
Spyro Gyra is an American jazz fusion band that was formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1974. The band's music combines jazz, R&B, funk, and pop music. The band's name comes from Spirogyra, a genus of green algae which founder Jay Beckenstein had learned about in college.
An INSTRUMENTAL? And Spyro Gyra?!! OMG, I can't believe it. I'm a HUGE fan of theirs and have been for years. I've seen them in concert a couple of times and they're even better live. Spyro Gyra has a huge catalog - be brave and dive in. Try "Para Ti Latino" (for a Latin vibe), or "Tower Of Babel" (for a mysterious vibe), or "Limelight" (for more xylophones), or "Got The Magic" (for a laid back vibe). I could go on and on...
A friend in college introduced me to their music. I had one recorded cassette of them that I used to listen to pretty regularly. Haven’t thought of them much since - thank you for reminding me!
Oh boy, we love you guys. So glad you played this one. I'm mostly a jazz guy. Love music in general, but jazz is my go to music. Keep in mind there are many forms of jazz. From old timey stuff, like Dixieland, big band. Satchmo, Ella Fitzgerald. Progressive jazz, Fusion (jazz-rock), Avante Guard, Free Jazz, Latin Jazz, and Smooth Jazz (like Spyro Gyra). It bugs me when you mention jazz and so many people think dinner music or elevator music. I guarantee if you two went to a Spyro Gyra concert, you would be blown away. And yes, no lyrics. Another really fun one is Shaker Song by SG. That's leader, Jay Beckenstein on sax, and the great Dave Samuels on vibes!
That is Jay Beckenstien on Saxophone. Spyro Gyra has been around since 1978 and are still around. They are one of the earliest "smooth jazz" artists. I have most of their albums and enjoy them.
Perfect summer vibe. I remember when this dropped in their UK homeland,it was everywhere for a while,always made you move,always chilled you. Great days.
My wife and I went with other friends to the JazzTrax fest at the ballroom on Catalina Island about 10 years back and saw Spyro Gyra there with many (many) others-such as saxophonist Mindi Adair and the band Hiroshima. Good stuff.
Thank you for playing this! I had forgotten about this awesome jazz group. If you want to listen to more instrumental music try The David Grisman Quintet. They have a blue grass jazz sound. They themselves refer to their sound as Dawg Music. My favorites are Dawgs Rag and Minor Swing.
A jazz instrumental, by on of the all time great Tenor Sax players, Mr Stan Getz, he was called The Sound, because of his beautiful smooth tone, the song is called Desafinado. It is from an album released in 1962 called Jazz Samba, and both the album, and Desafinado were world wide hits.
Wow, really going off track with some very talented musicians. I've been enjoying Spyro Gyra for decades and have seen them live a few times. They really got a fresh infusion with their new drummer on their album Good to Go-Go. As others have mentioned, I never thought I would see a reaction to them, big props to you two for branching out. Such fun.
I never thought I'd hear Spyro Gyra on ANY reaction channel!! They represent the roots of what's known as SMOOTH jazz, and it's definitely a fun genre to listen to and zone out to. Another song from Spryo Gyra that you might dig is "Limelight" on their "Rites of Summer" album from 1988. Smooth jazz is a slippery slope. Before you know it, you'll be reacting to the Rippingtons and Lee Ritenour! Y'all might actually like the vocalist, Michael Franks. He's super smooth with a jazzy "islandy" feel. For some classic jazz, however, you could start with the song "Old Folks"by Miles Davis 1961. Glad you're stepping into the world of jazz as it covers a wide spectrum with many flavors and colors.
Yes to all alladat! 😊
A lot of Oldies instrumental arrangements
Telstar The Tornados
Because Thery're Young Duane Eddy
Tequilla The Champs
Take Five Dave Brubeck
Green Onions Booker T and the MG's
Apache The Shadows
Walk, Don't Run The Ventures
The Magnificent Seven John Barry
Bumble Boogie B. Bumble and the Stingers
A Summer Place Percy Faith
Love is Blue Paul Muriat
Wipeout The Surfaris
Pipeline The Chantays
Classical Gas Mason Williams
Same here. I played a lot of Spryo Jyra in high school growing up.
I LOVE Michael Franks' Popsicle Toes!
Seriously. I never thought it either.
The first time I heard thi I fell in love with it. Only a very smal handful of songs can I say that about.
Classical Gas
Jennifer Juniper
Lucy -Linus [ theme song],
Movin’ On [ by “Missouri]
What Is Life [ George Harrison],
I start every morning with this, special to me, song. My husband came home with this album when I was pregnant with our first child. Two months after his passing, I won outdoor concert tickets to see them perform live at a local park. So on a cool April night, I looked up at the stars and knew he was listening with me to some special music. (Gee, y'all made me cry)
It's a happy song. 😊
…and YOU made ME cry❣️🥺
So beautiful and I, as a stranger, believe this too!! What a beautiful gift I’m the midst of grief🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼Sending you so much love❤️❤️❤️
This is the perfect song to wake up to. Appropriately named.
You guys are way overdue for George Benson's "Breezing" and Herb Alpert's "Rise." Trust me, you'll love them!
OMG - I used to play this song on my record player every Sunday morning while making waffles for my wife. Such a vibe and a memory!!!
Been listening to SG for about 40 years!! They truly are craftsmen. The Xylophone HAS been used as a jam-out solo in 1979 by the group called Exile.
Now you're jammin' with some SMOOTH JAZZ! This song always gets me in a happy mood. You guys simply MUST try a live jazz club. Aint nothing wrong with just instrumentals, especially when played with such skill!
Steel pans always make me happy. 😊
If you like that kind of vibe, I definitely would recommend Breezin' by legendary jazz guitarist, George Benson!! It's definitely a vibe!
Breezing' was such a huge cross genre hit. It was my first Jazz album purchase. Then Herbie Hancock Rockit had me buying another album and next thing I know I am knee deep in Methany, Wes Montgomery, Chet Baker...
@@canonfodder2068 George Benson, and for me Chuck Mangione, was definitely a gateway drug into heavier jazz! I still love them, though!
@@TrashWerewolf YES!
Totally! George Benson Breezin.
Breezin was awesome. George was great live. Saw him with Al Jareau, Maynard Ferguson, and. Herbie Hancock was a no-show.
I love Spyro Gyra, Great Progressive jazz group!!!
Love the smooth jazz/pop sound of this. Another terrific pop jazz vocal artist is Basia. She is a Polish native that moved to the UK. She was most popular late 80's/early 90's. My favorite by her is "Cruising for Bruising" but she also had hits with "Time and Tide", "New Day for You" and "Promises", as well as a great cover of Stevie Wonder's "Until You Come Back to Me.".
You’re hearing an alto sax. In a few weeks when you revisit Spyro Gyra, please give “Catching The Sun” consideration. It bookends nicely with “Morning Dance” and has a tasty little guitar break that feeds into a muted horn, then keys.
That’s my choice too !!
O.M.G. I never ever thought you would check them out. My jaw hit the floor when I saw this. MORE MORE MORE PLEASE Thank you!!!!!!!!! Love you two!
Love hearing this!! Another artist you have to hear is Grover Washington, Jr.! His music goes from instrumentals to duets with great singers like Bill Withers. An instrumental - "Mr. Magic", and with Bill Withers "Just The two of Us"!
I second Grover Washington! "Reed Seed (Trio Tune)" and "Funkfoot" are definitely good choices as well!
Love love love just the two of us!!!
Absolutely Grover Washington Junior… I saw them in concert Mr. Magic
The Best Is Yet to Come with Patti LaBelle would be a good one too
@@tanya2299 Fantastic pick!!
Oh, NOW you're right up my street! I've been listening to Spyro Gyra for literal decades! They practically invented smooth vibe! There's a whole bunch of material to draw from, from a huge catalog! Enjoy, and look forward to more from them in the future! Great reaction as always!
each band member is a virtuoso of their instrument
I’d add the Crusaders “ Chain reaction “ the quiet sax of John Klemmer “ Touch “
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "Starburst" and many other tracks off this album!!! 'Morning Dance' is the title cut from their 2nd album. Also:
"Just Around the Corner"- Herbie Hancock (keyboardist) a song from his album 'Mr. Hands' is funky and more upbeat!!
Herbie has 6 Grammy awards in 3 different genres and an Academy Award for Best Original Score!!
Rockit by Herbie Hancock is fabulous
What a nice surprise. I have been a Spiro Gyra fan since their first album came out in 1978. Great smooth jazz/ jazz fusion.
Other great jazzy instrumental tracks: Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good (lots of horns) .... Dale Jacobs - Cobra -----
Rock classics "Edgar Winter Group - Frankenstien" ....
Two great tracks from an amazing band that take you from instrumental into a song: Alan Parsons Project - I Robot/I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You .. Alan Parsons Project - Sirius/Eye In The Sky
“Classical Gas” by Mason Williams is another great instrumental!
For sure, Mangione.
"I am the eye in the sky, looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules, dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind"
Prophetic. Did they know?
Feels so good definitely is funk/jazz at its best and the name of the song is totally correct 👌
Love APP! Definitely second that rec.
So reminds me of the summer of 78. A friend was so into jazz and that's all he would play. Speaking of which, please try George Benson Masquerade. I promise you will love it!
A great pick !!
The long album version...
@@Habichiwoowoo The album version is excellent but a live version would show the man and his talents also.
I had a coworker back in the day (early 80’s) and he was so into jazz, turned me on to this music and have loved smooth jazz ever since.
The late Dave Samuels on the vibraphone was awesome. I got to see him play this song live with Spyro Gyra in 1990. Later Dave Samuels started the band "Caribbean Jazz Project." I got to see them live also.
Love that you did Morning Dance! For another awesome instrumental, try “Birdland” by the band Weather Report.
The vocalese version by The Manhattan Transfer is no slouch, either.
There are enough references in the lyrics to keep these cats reacting to jazz for a decade.
@@ToABrighterFuture Absolutely!
Bird land is epic!
@@ToABrighterFuture They should play the Weather Report followed by the Manhattan Transfer version to appreciate the brilliance of the vocalese. I bought my first Manhattan Transfer album because it had Birdland on it.
I never heard of Weather Report, but I love everything Manhattan Transfer does.
When I got my first CD player for my 13th birthday, my sister gave me the Catching the Sun album by Spyro Gyra, and I listened to it all the time! Such a great way to soak up the music.
WHAT?!!! This was my teen & college years soundtrack! While my contemporaries were into Zepplin, Aerosmith, Queen, etc..I was the odd duck that was into Gino Vanelli, Toto, Steely Dan & Spyro Gyra among others. Love it!! I saw them in 1980 at the Agora in Dallas TX. I loved all the rock of the 70’s, but I also leaned into the jazzier progressive stuff that most didn’t listen to at that time. Thx for this one. Jay Beckenstein is the founder (sax) of SG. Those were the days. Wow!
You guys are so good when you're not following a script. Your reactions are truly wonderful.
Nothing like watching a new generation get into Spyro Gyra... Congrats!
I haven't listened to Spyro Gyra in a long time. Thanks for playing them and reminding me to search my play lists and listen to more....
David Benoit- Freedom After Midnight. I'm so happy you are diving into this genre. You will not regret it. Also, in the instrumental genre, especially with Holidays coming soon, please check out Mannheim Steamroller. Their Christmas music is a must every holiday season!!
Agree, "Kei's Song" and to blow their socks off "Sao Paulo" from Every Step Of The Way!
I haven't heard Spyro Gyra in a long time. This is my favorite of theirs. I'm a sax player, so I love this!
I saw these guys live. They were so much fun and creative.
This song is just positive vibes.
I had forgotten how good this group is. Thanks again, guys for the memories. 💓 My 2nd grade teacher played a xylophone and kept one in our classroom. She played for us all the time and also taught us French. What a great teacher.
You might want to check out some Four80East.
Great jazz band from Toronto that's been around since the 70's
th-cam.com/video/OF4p3f853aA/w-d-xo.html
Wow! Spyro Gyra! takes me back to high school when I discovered this stuff. As stated earlier, this is sometimes called Smooth Jazz or also Fusion Jazz, since it is a melding between pop-rock and jazz. And Spyro Gyra was one of the best groups doing it. I will highly recommend their tune "Old San Juan" for a listen. It is a real rocker - one of their best tunes, I think - and it has a nice horn back-up line, which I know you guys like.
Thank you. This is one of my all time favorite bands. I try to catch them whenever they come to town. This is no lounge act. Straight up arena jazz. They play to 1000s not a few dozen. This is their biggest hit and best song but there have a rabbit hole. Some jazz legends passed through their ranks. That opening sound is marimba, which is similar to a Xylophone. It was played by the late great Dave Samuels.
Mangione & Spyro Gyra were my intro to jazz. Now I'm more into Coltrane, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, and Bill Evans (4 of the greatest instrumental jazz artists), but I still have love for my earliest jazz heroes.
Jay and Amber, loved this reaction. What a treat to hear Spyro Gyra on here. I still have all their vinyl albums from the 70's. This song was the first tune I performed as a brand new professional saxophonist back in 1989. I am so glad you guys enjoyed this wonderful classic. And FYI Jay, the saxophonist is also Jay!
Best instrumental is"Summer Madness" by Kool and the Gang..1974..close your eyes and float away🎶🎶😎
This was released in 1979, and it was a huge hit! Another prime example of what an eclectic and hodge-podge of wildly popular songs, no matter what the genre! This was a real treat for me, as I went through my teens in the 70s! Thank you for this reaction and for the great memories!
Another Spyro Gyra hit is "Catching the Sun" I miss those smooth jazz radio stations from the 1980s/90s, they're all gone now at least here in Miami Florida.
WOW!! Can't believe you guys are reacting to this!!! Thank you so much!! This band has been around forever!!
It's a while since I heard that. A real summer sound. Though, for a summer sound, the albums "Night Birds" and "Invitation" by Shakatak always give me that "driving in the sun, carefree" vibe. The title tracks were hit singles in the UK. Worth a listen. Bill Sharpe played some mean piano.
I first heard this LIVE in 1983 in Scottsdale Arizona, and it immediately became my favorite piece of music. I bought the album and played it often. Such great memories to hear this now, and thanks for introducing this to your audience. Wonderful!
Blood sweat and tears , spinning wheel
PLEASE! Amber, you’ll love the horns!
I saw them in concert at the Great Southern Auditorium in Gainesville, FL back in '79...They were amazing!
Here are my favorite instrumental songs. Both were big hits on the radio!
#1 Mason Williams - "Classical Gas" (1968), there are many versions of it, but I love the one from the "Smothers Brothers show" (Mason was a writer for the show at the time.)
#2 is "Dueling Banjos" (1972) (from a sort of strange movie, Deliverance--not my cup of tea, but had this great instrumental)
Check out pianist Bobby Enriquez's version of "Classical Gas".
So happy you took my suggestion for this song, thank you! Knew you'd love that xylophone. Amber, a couple great jazz sax players to give a listen to are Ronnie Laws & John Klemmer.
Jay & Amber, the main instrument at the beginning, the one that gives this a Caribbean (or island) feeling, is the steel drum (aka steel pan, aka pan). It is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE instrument after the human voice. Literally anything, from classical to jazz to rock to any genre you can think of, can be played on steel drums, but with a wonderfully distinctive sound created by no other instrument. Steel drums were invented in Trinidad by cutting off the end of a steel oil drum, pounding, & tempering it until a musical scale is achieved. I've heard 2 origin stories. They were either created because of all the empty oil drums the U.S. military left behind after WWII, or from oil drums from the island's oil refineries. Please do more reactions to steel drum music. It is wonderfully unique!
Spyro Gyra melodies are so catchy and smooth. So glad to see you reacting to this song. "Catching The Sun" was the gateway album that took me on a journey from Rock to a love for Fusion and Jazz music! Great bopping around the house doing chores music.
I loved this in college! Try E.L.O.'s "Fire on High" - almost an instrumental. You'll love it!
When I was still in preschool, my dad used to put this on the TURNTABLE, and we would listen to it before he took me to daycare. I’d dance and laugh; he’d play bongos on pots or whatever was at hand-earliest, best memories! I never thought anyone would ever react to them-I’m so pleased. You guys are truly the best!
Since you've officially jumped into the jazz genre you've got to check out Miles Davis "Tutu" you will not be disappointed!
I prefer the late 50s to early 60s Miles Davis (Birth of the Cool through Someday My Prince Will Come)
@@musiclistsareus1029, I'm not crazy about old abstract jazz. Love the Tutu and Amandela albums
@@bertisjordan1085 I've never thought of older Miles Davis music as more abstract than later Miles Davis music.
Love Love Syro Gyra, Saw them in concert back in "87" and they were fantastic! :)
Right on, some Spyro Gyra! Beautiful upbeat song from 1979- pretty sure they’re playing steel drums in this song, not a xylophone.
Wow! Spyro Gyra! I STILL have this album in vinyl. Seen them live 3 times I think. Great band!
My husband and I got married to Morning Dance...sweet memories.
❤❤❤
In the 90's I used to go to the Blues and Jazz fests in Chicago. I have seen Spyro Gyra live twice--jazz under the stars is unforgettable. And living in Indianapolis, the Wes Montgomery Fest would book acts like Isaac Hayes (Shaft!) and other genre benders like the Ohio Players and the Neville Brothers. I miss it! I am in Kentucky now and Jazz is as rare as hen's teeth.
If y'all are going to get into Spyro Gyra, "Old San Juan" is a *must!* And getting back to Chuck Mangione y'all should give a listen to "Children of Sanchez". And if y'all want an *all horn* group, Hynotic Brass Ensemble has a couple of tracks for you: "Frankincense" and "Balicky Bon". And give Ramsey Lewis some time: "7-11" and "Come Back Jack" might be your speed.
This group was from Tucson on all places and as a teenager/ young adult i used to see them at a resort called The Westward Look in the cantina, Sunday afternoon jazz. Every Sunday were different bands & they played there often! It was dirt cheap, always a great show, and outdoors on a beautiful patio up against a gorgeous Arizona sunset... PRICELESS MEMORIES
Amber & Jordan, U guys like Jazz, here;s a couple that U guys need to react. 1)Champagne by Kenny G; 2)One Wish by Hiroshima; 3)Gotcha by Tom Scott; 4)Boom Town by Richard Elliot; 5)The Hit by Richard Myhill; 6)Trans-Am Highway by Richard Myhill; 7)Dynamics by Richard Allen Harvey; 8)Jet Set by Mike Vickers; 9)Chase by Giorgio Moroder; 10)1980 by Herb Alpert; 11)Rise by Herb Alpert. These all nice Jazz songs that U both have to react to. U can here all those instruments.
The best setting to hear this song is sitting on a Key West beach watching a sunrise or a sunset... definitely an island vibe with those steel drums in there.
You must do some Manhattan Transfer!!!!!
Great minds! I was just going to suggest Manhattan Transfer! Saw them in concert with Take 6 a few years ago. So awesome!
@@deborahabston4222 I'M SO JEALOUS!!!! I've always wanted to see them live. I'm a walking encyclopedia of concerts. I've seen so many shows, especially in the 80's and early 90's. Best show I've ever seen was Sir Paul McCartney. As soon as he hit the stage, I started to cry....lol.
My grandfather and dad's favorite song they were both in a jazz band but I sadly lost my grandfather
You have to check out Birdland by Weather Report!!
Jaco!
A classic!
definitely!!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍...
This song was Spyro Gyra's one and only Top 40 hit. The song peaked at the #24 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the summer of 1979. The man on the lead sax is Jay Beckenstein. He's also the lead founder of Spyro Gyra. What a beautiful banger of a song indeed!!! By the way, this song is a
old-school smooth jazz classic!!!
Here some good instrumentals: A Taste of Honey by Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass,Love is Blue by Paul Mauriat,Classical Gas,Mason Williams,Dueling Banjos by Eric Weissberg, Fifth of Beethoven by Walter Murphy,Love “s Theme by Love Unlimited Orchestra,White Summer/Black Mountain Side Jimmy Page acoustic guitar
"Grazing In The Grass" by Hugh Masekela and "Green Onions" by Booker T & The M.G.'s I would throw in there, as well. Can't keep "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck off also. I always loved "Airport Love Theme" by Vincent Bell, "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles and "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited, as well. Going back there a bit with these. To get a bit different "Popcorn" by Hot Butter. One of my special secret Disco instrumentals would be "Spring Rain" by Silvetti (Bebu Silvetti)😊
I was very fortunate to see them back in 80's in a club setting in Chicago...great musicians who loved their craft. It was one birthday present that I will never forget!
I love Spyro Gyra and immediately upvoted before I even watched! For a moment I thought Amber was going to get up and dance, she was so lost in the sauce 😄 How about ELO, “Fire on High” as another great instrumental? ❤️
An FYI for your musical education: What you referred to as a xylophone, I believe was actually a marimba. Xylophones have metal bars that you strike so they have a very metallic sound. Marimba's have wooden bars that give a much more mellow sound. Marimba's and vibraphone's (built-in motor spinning something to give the sound some vibrato) are used often in jazz. Xylophones are most often used in marching band.
I think both of you would enjoy "Rise" by Herb Albert. "Rise" is a jazzy instrumental song that was released at the tale end of the disco era so it has a hint of disco in it. Herb Albert is a jazz artist who has been playing for decades and he was at the height of his fame when "Rise" came out and it went to number one on the Billboard music charts. The horns are fierce in this song and I really, really hope you review it. Another instrumental I would suggest is from a film and that would be Vangelis' "Chariots Of Fire". It's sort of a classical type of instrumental but that would be a great way to get introduced to his music and honor an incredible composer who died earlier this year. It was a big hit in the early 1980's and it also won best musical score at the Academy Awards.
They would also enjoy "Route 101" and "Magic Man" by Herb
Okay, you just blew my mind! Spyro Gyra definitely was part of my life's soundtrack back in the day -- and I never thought anyone on TH-cam would care to react to this iconic song. Thank you!
Since you are making a move into some jazz / adult contemporary......there are several cuts by George Benson that will certainly fit the bill ! !
I’ve totally forgotten about Spyro Gyra! I even had this album! Thanks guys….so happy and chilll 💖
PLEASE PLEASE SNARKY PUPPY "LINGUS" YOU"LL GO CRAZY!!!!!
I remember hearing this all the time on the radio, never really knew who did it. I always thought they did jazz so good, I love instrumentals.
This is great. I forgot all about Spiro Gyra and their smooth sounds. I believe you would enjoy Dave Brubeck and his band; his Take Five is a legendary hit that he had in the early 1960s. There's a TH-cam video of Dave Brubeck playing Take Five that I watch frequently. I hope you can react to it.
It’s similar to a xylophone it’s called a Marimba (bigger with more notes)! The only other notable Marimba solo in a pop song is by the group Starbuck, Moonlight feels right. Love it every time I hear it!
Still would love to see you tackle "Lily Was Here" by Candy Dulfer (featuring Dave Stewart). It's a killer instrumental track.
That is soooo good !!
Yeah, I forgot about her!
Definitely a conversation without words between a guitar and sax... awesome choice!
Amber, the girls maybe influenced by Candy Dulfer.
Very refreshing. Reaction channels generally do just pop and rock. Thanks for trying something new. Jay Beckenstein has a very clean technique, definitely NOT a dirty sax. And Dave Samuels, on marimba, was the first time I heard a marimba solo on the radio. This DID cross over to Top 40 radio when I was a kid. Watching marimba players is even more fun than just listening, as they hold more than one mallet in each hand. Lots of respect for the skill.
For your next Spyro Gyra song, if you do another, consider trying "Pacific Sunrise." It has a breakdown in the middle that has some rubber-burnin' solos and interesting rhythms. Fun! Also consider "Freetime" for its funky elements, bass guitar poppin', and more rippin' solos.
Freetime is excellent!
You both look like kids in a candy store, all wide-eyed and full of wonder! It's beautiful...
Wow, you guys are full of surprises...Spyro Gyra! Excellent choice! You need to react to Frankenstein by the Edgar Winter Group! That should be your next instrumental.
Great song
I saw them in concert in the 90's and they were fantastic! Glad you did this reaction 😊
These guys are great in concert. They are all extremely talented musicians. I saw them years ago and they even rocked a Jimi Hendrix song. Morning Dance is one of my favorites by these guys who met in college in Buffalo. Anytime you hear sax, steel drums and vibraphone (not xylophone) in a song you're living good.
Wow! Haven't heard this since I was a little kid. We used to have this as a 45 record (I know... ancient technology... lol ). Thanks for reminding me of this great band.
I saw Spyro Gyra in the mid-80s at an outdoor concert at a winery in Napa Valley. It was at the height of their career, and they were performing for their hometown fans from the Bay Area. Any time I hear one of their fabulous, upbeat songs, I'm transported back to that vineyard. Keep tumbling down the Spyro Gyra rabbit hole. You won't regret a minute.
First time I’ve ever heard this band on any reaction channel thanks guys for doing what the others don’t do
Spyro Gyra is an American jazz fusion band that was formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1974. The band's music combines jazz, R&B, funk, and pop music. The band's name comes from Spirogyra, a genus of green algae which founder Jay Beckenstein had learned about in college.
An INSTRUMENTAL? And Spyro Gyra?!! OMG, I can't believe it. I'm a HUGE fan of theirs and have been for years. I've seen them in concert a couple of times and they're even better live. Spyro Gyra has a huge catalog - be brave and dive in. Try "Para Ti Latino" (for a Latin vibe), or "Tower Of Babel" (for a mysterious vibe), or "Limelight" (for more xylophones), or "Got The Magic" (for a laid back vibe). I could go on and on...
A friend in college introduced me to their music. I had one recorded cassette of them that I used to listen to pretty regularly. Haven’t thought of them much since - thank you for reminding me!
Oh boy, we love you guys. So glad you played this one. I'm mostly a jazz guy. Love music in general, but jazz is my go to music. Keep in mind there are many forms of jazz. From old timey stuff, like Dixieland, big band. Satchmo, Ella Fitzgerald. Progressive jazz, Fusion (jazz-rock), Avante Guard, Free Jazz, Latin Jazz, and Smooth Jazz (like Spyro Gyra). It bugs me when you mention jazz and so many people think dinner music or elevator music. I guarantee if you two went to a Spyro Gyra concert, you would be blown away. And yes, no lyrics. Another really fun one is Shaker Song by SG. That's leader, Jay Beckenstein on sax, and the great Dave Samuels on vibes!
That is Jay Beckenstien on Saxophone. Spyro Gyra has been around since 1978 and are still around. They are one of the earliest "smooth jazz" artists. I have most of their albums and enjoy them.
I can’t believe you got to these guys. They are amazing. I discovered them in the early ‘80’s. The beginning of a long journey through smooth jazz
Perfect summer vibe.
I remember when this dropped in their UK homeland,it was everywhere for a while,always made you move,always chilled you.
Great days.
Are you talking about Spyro Gyra? Their from Buffalo N.Y. and formed in 1974.
👏👏👏♥️ It's been years since I relaxed and found happiness with this Groove 😊 y'all enjoy your adventures in Music 🎶💕✌️
A good jazz instrumental is "Take Five" by the Dave Brubeck Quartet!
Summer of 1980, sixteen years old in my 76 Dodge with Spyro Gyra blasting through my Jensen Triax speakers. Ahhhhh, the memories.....
I saw them live back in 88. Love that band. Even did a song of theirs in school talent show.
My wife and I went with other friends to the JazzTrax fest at the ballroom on Catalina Island about 10 years back and saw Spyro Gyra there with many (many) others-such as saxophonist Mindi Adair and the band Hiroshima. Good stuff.
Thank you for playing this! I had forgotten about this awesome jazz group. If you want to listen to more instrumental music try The David Grisman Quintet. They have a blue grass jazz sound. They themselves refer to their sound as Dawg Music. My favorites are Dawgs Rag and Minor Swing.
Thanks for checking out the greatest musicians on earth...Contemporary Jazz is soulfully good !
A jazz instrumental, by on of the all time great Tenor Sax players, Mr Stan Getz, he was called The Sound, because of his beautiful smooth tone, the song is called Desafinado.
It is from an album released in 1962 called Jazz Samba, and both the album, and Desafinado were world wide hits.
Jay Beckenstein is the sax player. Great studio cat! He is also one the band's original founders.
Wow, really going off track with some very talented musicians. I've been enjoying Spyro Gyra for decades and have seen them live a few times. They really got a fresh infusion with their new drummer on their album Good to Go-Go. As others have mentioned, I never thought I would see a reaction to them, big props to you two for branching out. Such fun.
The vibraphone player that did the solo in this tune was David Samuels.... Rip Dave.