Album of the Day

Born on this day 75 years ago, saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. was a pioneer of smooth jazz whose records remain wonderful listening. Case in point: 1982's THE BEST IS YET TO COME, which reached the R&B Top 10 as well as the No.1 slot on the Jazz chart. As with Washington's earlier WINELIGHT, the collection includes an irresistible single; the title track is driven by one of Patti Labelle's best-ever vocals. While Bobby McFerrin is also among the guest singers (“Things Are Getting Better”), it's the instrumental work by Grover and company – bassist Marcus Miller, keyboardist Richard Tee and percussionist Ralph McDonald are among the players here – that keeps the grooves flowing. Mellow, soulful and featuring a variety of tempos and arrangements that are always light on their feet, THE BEST IS YET TO COME is a terrific display of Washington's talents as songwriter, producer and performer.