Ronnie Laws - Pressure Sensitive (1975) [1995]

Ronnie Laws has always been an R&B-oriented saxophonist miscast in the jazz world, starting with his early association with the rapidly declining Blue Note label. His debut album (reissued on CD) has a couple of decent melodies (the opening "Always There" is the most memorable), some soulful tenor and soprano playing by the leader in a style heavily influenced by Grover Washington, Jr., and vocals on only one of the eight selections; Laws's attempts to make it as a singer were still in the future. However this obviously commercial effort (every song fades out before it hits the five-minute mark) can only be recommended in comparison to Ronnie Laws's later more inferior recordings.

Tracks:

1. Always There
2. Momma
3. Never Be the Same
4. Tell Me Something Good
5. Nothing to Lose
6. Tidal Wave
7. Why Do You Laugh at Me?
8. Mis' Mary's Place

Personnel:

Ronnie Laws - Saxophones, Flute, Vocals
Jerry Peters - Keys, Synths
Joe Sample - Clavinet, Piano (Electric)
Mike Cavanaugh - Clavinet, Piano (Electric)
Wilton Felder - Bass
Steve Gutierrez - Drums
Roland Bautista - Guitar
John Rowin - Guitar
Clint Mosley - Bass
Michael Willars - Drums
Joe Clayton - Conga