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Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – June 22, 1991

John Hilderbrand — Sat, 23 May 2026 13:04:18 +0000

The Crusaders, down to just original members Joe Sample and Wilton Felder, released their penultimate recording Healing the Wounds in April 1991. It hit the top of the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart on June 22, 1991. The album was produced by Marcus Miller, who also wrote two of the tracks. One of those is “Maputo” originally recorded by Bob James and David Sanborn on their iconic Double Vision collaboration. Sample wrote four of the eight songs including a couple of gems: the strong opening “Pessimisticism” and “Little Things Mean a Lot”. Sample (often feisty) and Felder are in great form and Miller really puts his stamp on the album with his bass playing and production. This may be an overlooked contemporary jazz recording but it’s a favorite of mine.

Top Contemporary Jazz Albums
June 22, 1991

#	Artist	Album
1	The Crusaders	Healing the Wounds	▶
2	Earl Klugh	Midnight in San Juan	▶
3	John Lucien	Listen Love	▶
4	Yellowjackets	Greenhouse	▶
5	Tuck & Patti	Dream	▶
6	George Howard	Love and Understanding	▶
7	Diane Schuur	Pure Schuur	▶
8	Joe Sample	Ashes to Ashes	▶
9	Dave Koz	Dave Koz	▶
10	Spyro Gyra	Collection	▶
11	Jean Luc Ponty	Tchokola	▶
12	Kilauea	Antigua Blue	▶
13	Arturo Sandoval	Flight to Freedom	▶
14	Special EFX	Peace of the World	▶
15	Kenny Blake	Interior Design	▶
16	Steve Laury	Stepping Out	▶
17	Kevyn Lettau	Kevyn Lettau	▶
18	Bireli Lagrene	Acoustic Moments	▶
19	T Lavitz	Mood Swing	▶
20	Lee Ritenour	Collection	▶
21	Ronnie Laws	Identity	▶
22	Pat Coil	Steps	▶
23	Grant Geissman	Flying Colors	▶
24	Gary Burton	Cool Nights	▶
25	Sam Cardon	Serious Leisure	▶

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Thanksgiving Week Listening: A Couple of Contemporary Jazz Favorites

John Hilderbrand — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:41:25 +0000

Gratitude is something I stay mindful of all year long (it’s great for mental health), but Thanksgiving week gives it a little extra boost. I’m thankful for my kids, now grown and living their own lives. I’m thankful for the ability to shape my life in small, meaningful ways. There is a lot to appreciate. But music… man, music. Where would I be without it? So thankful for all of it, especially the contemporary jazz.

If you’re settling in with family, cooking, traveling, or just taking a quiet moment to breathe, here are a couple of tracks that might help set a tone:

“Thankful N’ Thoughtful” — Dave Grusin (Sly Stone cover)

Featuring Phoebe Snow, David Sanborn, and Marcus Miller.
Listen on YouTube

Aside from being thankful, there’s inspiration:

Something gets me, I put my head on tight
Because I know in the future, everything will be all right

“Gratitude” — Nelson Rangell

Listen on YouTube

Nelson wrote about the inspiration for this song on Facebook on October 23:

One of my best friends has been living with brain cancer. He’s been hugely inspirational to everyone who knows him with his constant positivity, humor and strength. My friend speaks a lot to me and to others about Gratitude. It’s the main theme in his life. Bruce and his amazing wife Kelly make it all look routine… I know a lot of heroic, beautiful, and incredibly good people. We all do. So often these people just make it look routine. They’re our friends, our kids’ teachers, cops, protesters, scientists, doctors, pastors, rabbis and imams, the pianist on the gig, the people at the music store, or the person taking your order on any given day — you.

My friend Bruce has made me think a lot about “gratitude.” It’s his mantra. He repeats it all the time. It sure works for him. For me, it’s an ongoing work in progress, kind of a 2 steps forward… well, you get it. Amidst it all these days, Bruce reminds me to keep my eyes open to see, and my heart thankful for goodness everywhere around us, and to take inspiration and strength from it.

What are some of your favorite tracks of thankfulness? What are you thankful for? I’d love for you to comment!

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Electric Miles – Marcus Miller Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center

John Hilderbrand — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 18:54:30 +0000

Loved watching Christian McBride talk with Marcus Miller about this great performance celebrating the electric music of Miles Davis. And equally loved the show! That band!

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