Album of the Day

By the time of his 1975 solo debut album for Warner Bros., David Sanborn was one of the most respected alto saxophonists in the music business, having played countless live and studio gigs with the likes of The Butterfield Blues Band, Eric Clapton and David Bowie. As might be expected, TAKING OFF is a highly polished work of R&B-infused jazz, and features support from a small army of top session players, including guitarists Joe Beck and Steve Khan, bassist Will Lee, drummer Steve Gadd and the Brecker Brothers on horns. True to its title, TAKING OFF soared up the Billboard jazz chart, launching Sanborn to stardom; with its strong funk edge, the album remains one of the performer's very best.