Spyro Gyra is the debut album by the jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra, released in 1978. The album was self-released on the label Crosseyed Bear Productions before the band signed with Amherst Records and re-released it with a different cover.

Spyro Gyra
Studio album by
Released1977 (re-released in 1978)
Recorded1976 (re-recorded in 1977)
StudioMark Studios (Clarence, NY); Blue Rock Studio (New York, NY).
GenreJazz fusion, smooth jazz
Length43:54
LabelCrosseyed Bear
ProducerJay Beckenstein, Richard Calandra
Spyro Gyra chronology
Spyro Gyra
(1977)
Morning Dance
(1979)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [1]

At Billboard magazine, the album reached No. 99 on the Top 200 Albums chart[2] and also No. 99 in Canada.[3] "Shaker Song" reached No. 16 on the Adult Contemporary singles chart,[4] No. 90 on the Hot 100 singles chart, and was covered by the Manhattan Transfer on the album Extensions.[5] In Canada, "Shaker Song" made No. 99 in the Top 100 chart,[6] and No. 26 in the AO chart.[7]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Shaker Song"Jay Beckenstein4:49
2."Opus D'Opus"Beckenstein5:08
3."Mallet Ballet"Jeremy Wall5:11
4."Pygmy Funk"Wall5:34
5."Cascade"Wall3:12
6."Leticia"Wall6:10
7."Mead"Beckenstein4:00
8."Paula/Paw Prints"Beckenstein4:01
9."Galadriel"Wall4:55

Personnel

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Band

Guests

  • Tom Schuman – Minimoog (7), acoustic piano (8), Fender Rhodes (8)
  • Greg Millar – electric guitar (1, 2, 5, 7)
  • Freddy Rapillo – electric guitar (3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
  • Rubens Bassini – congas (1, 5, 6)
  • Dave Samuelsmarimba (1, 4), tabla (1, 4)
  • Rick Bell – trombone (2)
  • Fred Marshall – trombone (6)
  • Anthony Gorruso – trumpet (6)

Production

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  • Jay Beckenstein – producer
  • Richard Calandra – producer
  • Jeremy Wall – assistant producer
  • Chuck Madden – engineer
  • Craig Bishop – mixing
  • Larry Swist – mixing
  • Jim Bonnefond – mix assistant
  • Rusty Payne – editing
  • Michael Cobb – cover design

References

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  1. ^ Spyro Gyra at AllMusic
  2. ^ "Top 200 Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  3. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums - July 22, 1978" (PDF).
  4. ^ "Adult Contemporary Music Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Extensions". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  6. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - July 29, 1978" (PDF).
  7. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - August 19, 1978" (PDF).