Over 35 years into one of contemporary jazz fusion's most extraordinary evolving musical journeys, Spyro Gyra entered the 2010s where they began – on their own indie label, Amherst Records, on which they released their self-titled debut in 1978. Driven by the melodic, jazzy, and increasingly global-minded vision of saxophonist and founder Jay Beckenstein, Spyro Gyra have undergone various personnel changes throughout the years while becoming serial world travelers.

This album was released on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the North Sea Jazz Festival. It contains live recordings of John Patitucci, Spyro Gyra, Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons, B.B. King, Chick Corea, Robben Ford and Gary Burton. All songs were recorded live during various editions of this festival.

Spyro Gyra mostly sticks to their formula of danceable melodic music on this GRP release but there are a few temporary departures. The harmonica of the talented Howard Levy is used prominently on "Breakfast at Igor's," two different horn sections pop up on a few songs and there are a pair of throwaway pop vocals from Alex Ligertwood. However, longtime Spyro Gyra fans have little to fear for the solos of saxophonist Jay Beckenstein and vibraphonist Dave Samuels are predictably pleasant, the light funk rhythms push the ensembles and the band's sound remains distinctive, familiar and comfortable.

Spyro Gyra returns with first new album in 6 years. Inventive jazz covers of vinyl-era pop favorites…

Still, Spyro Gyra's music has more depth and kick than most of their brothers and sisters in the smooth or contemporary genre. Jay Beckenstein once again delivers some fine saxophone playing, Tom Schuman lays down nice keyboard textures, and guitarist Julio Fernandez enlivens several pieces with his tasty fretwork (and Benson-like scatting on "Sierra"). Got the Magic is full of accessible melodies and polished playing, adding up to a very enjoyable pop-jazz outing.

In 1990, the GRP record label took over MCA’s jazz artists, and as a result, Spyro Gyra had changed labels. Their next effort, Fast Forward, was released on GRP. After the release of Three Wishes in 1992, Spyro Gyra recruited Scott Ambush on bass. The following year, Dave Samuels decided to leave the band, although he periodically contributed to subsequent studio recordings. In 1997, Spyro Gyra celebrated their twentieth album release in 20 years with 20/20. Despite the ever-changing lineup, Beckenstein remained committed to the project over the years, as did their audiences.

Spyro Gyra's constantly evolving musical vision has made them the most consistent, popular, and enduring of all contemporary jazz ensembles. While their previous effort, the stirring Dreams Beyond Control, aimed for an expansive array of sounds and colors in larger settings, Love & Other Obsessions featured a more focused direction and a definite leaning towards modern R&B and African influences. In an effort to keep things fresh, Beckenstein also chose this time to work with more outside arrangers like Russell Ferrante, Chieli Minucci (of Special EFX), Alex Acuna, and Scott Kreitzer, who contributed the collection's two vocal pieces.

Although Spyro Gyra's late-'70s instrumental pop chart hit "Morning Dance" is always credited by some for opening doors for the genre that folks would later call smooth jazz, this 16-track compilation - part of GRP's new classic artist collector's series - shows that saxman Jay Beckenstein and company never really fit perfectly into any category. And that's by design. Manager Philip Brennan sequenced these tracks with GRP A&R guy Bud Harner, wisely choosing to make a live version of "Morning Dance" the last track, something of an afterthought, since most of the material here (from 1988 through 1997) is far more challenging and exciting…

In their early days, saxophonist Jay Beckenstein molded Spyro Gyra into an ersatz fusion band that truly watered down the jazz-rock of the '70s, making way for the smooth contemporary instrumental sounds that followed. Some may have considered them pioneers, or an aberration. This 11-track CD from their early years is bookended by their best commercial tunes, "Morning Dance" and "Shaker Song." In between is the filler that rarely got radio airplay, although the light, breezy Caribbean sounds of "South Beach" and especially the robust funk of "Breakfast at Igor's" always hinted that good musicianship was behind a hollow exterior. This can be recommended to those admirers who likely already have this material, but jazz fans should search for the real thing, or explore the discography of Michael Brecker.