Simple Pleasures was a bestseller thanks to the massive success of the single “Don’t Worry Be Happy” According to McFerrin on the Questlove Supreme podcast, he has not performed that song live since November 1988. “I wanted the audience to know me as an improviser. I didn’t want to be falling back on that tune all the time or have them expect that.” He did admit that he will sometimes hint at it in the middle of a piece and he might do it for kids.

Rounding out the Top Ten of the Contemporary Jazz chart:

1. 1. Bobby McFerrin, Simple Pleasures
2. 2. George Howard, Reflections
3. 3. Basia, Time and Tide
4. 4. Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman, Kilamanjaro
5. 5. David Benoit, Every Step of the Way
6. 6. Kirk Whalum, And You Know That!
7. 7. Dianne Reeves, Dianne Reeves
8. 8. Gamalon, Gamalon
9. 9. Tim Heintz, Searching the Heart
10. 10. Steve Kindler & Teja Bell, Dolphin Smiles

Debuting on the week’s chart at #21 was the first album from the husband and wife duo of Tuck & Patti with Tears of Joy. According to the Tuck & Patti website and Twitter account, Bobby McFerrin calls them “the best duo on the planet!” And they’re still together, which is really awesome.

John Patitucci led the Top Jazz Albums chart with his debut self-titled recording, released on GRP. He had a strong start with the album produced by his Electric Band boss Chick Corea and featuring bandmate Dave Weckl. Also enhancing John’s compositions were mighty Michael Brecker, Peter Eskine, Vinnie Colaiuta, John Beasley, and David Witham.

The post Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – June 25, 1988 appeared first on ContemporaryJazz.com.

1. Hiroshima, Go
2. Spyro Gyra, Stories Without Words
3. Pat Metheny Group, Still Life (Talking)
4. Dianne Reeves, Dianne Reeves
5. Fattburger, Good News
6. Jean-Luc Ponty, The Gift of Time
7. George Benson / Earl Klugh, Collaboration
8. Kenny G, Duotones
9. Larry Carlton, Discover
10. The Manhattan Transfer, Brasil

The post Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – January 1998! appeared first on ContemporaryJazz.com.

1. George Howard – Reflections
2. Bobby McFerrin – Simple Pleasures
3. Basia – Time and Tide
4. Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman – Kilamanjaro
5. David Benoit – Every Step of the Way
6. Tim Heintz – Searching the Heart
7. Chick Corea – Eye of the Beholder
8. Dianne Reeves – Dianne Reeves
9. Kirk Whalum – And You Know That!
10. Shadowfax – Folksongs for a Nuclear Village

Entering the chart that week was a number of releases that would be headed toward the top: Spyro Gyra’s Rites of Summer, Politics by Yellowjackets, If This Bass Could Talk by Stanley Clarke, and Sade’s Stronger Than Pride.

The post Top Contemporary Jazz July 8, 1988: George Howard, Bobby MeFerrin and More appeared first on ContemporaryJazz.com.