I was at music college, and the sounds on this CD had my friends and I stunned. The Jeff Porcaro grooves on the tines had all of my fellow drummers and I, scrambling to achieve that pocket, and trying to hit that hard, and dig that deep. I was hooked on this at 17, and it continues to impress/inspire me 30 years later. The DX-7 sounds are dated, sure, and the 'fusion instrumental pop’ may have got silly, in the years since this was made, but, it is of it’s time, and I still love it.

This album was actually created as a promotion for Yamaha's new (at the time) DX7 synth. Howard and other top-flight jazz musicians (including Jeff Porcaro) made this recording on a short timeline with fantastic results. The recording was made without edits, overdubs or other studio aids (Sheffield Labs direct-to-disc) and the result still impresses sonically. The DX7 may be a bit outdated, but Howard's talent cannot be denied. If you enjoy synth-based jazz, this is worth a listen.

To this day, one of my most favorite instramental albums. I frequently use these tracks as demos for new instalations in cars, home theaters, etc. Great dynamic range, bass lines, really brings out the full spectrum of a system, and equally can demonstrate a weakness. James Newton Howard is legendary!