Angela (Theme From 'Taxi') - Bob James (1978)

Robert McElhiney James (born December 25, 1939) is a jazz and jazz fusion keyboardist, arranger and producer. During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in turning fusion jazz more mainstream. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the 1970s television sitcom "Taxi", is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date. It was featured on "Touchdown", a 1978 jazz album which was a commercial breakout album for him. The song was named after the guest character in the third episode of the first season ("Blind Date"), but after hearing the song, the producers made this the show's main theme, replacing their previous choice, which became this album's title track. The title of the album is a reference to it being his sixth solo album, a touchdown being worth six points in American football. In addition to his solo work and high-profile collaborations with artists such as Earl Klugh and David Sanborn, James is also the founding member of contemporary jazz supergroup Fourplay. Very influenced by pop and movie music, James has often featured soloists who add a jazz touch to his sound (most notably Grover Washington, Jr.). While best known for his fusion sound, James began in 1962, recording a bop-ish trio set for Mercury. Three years later, his album for ESP was quite avant-garde, with electronic tapes used for effects. James is recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz. His music has also had a profound effect on the history of hip-hop and pop music, having been sampled often. Two of James' songs -- "Nautilus" from 1974's "One" and "Take Me To The Mardi Gras" from 1975's "Two" -- are among the most sampled in hip-hop history, sampled in thirty-two and forty-three hip-hop recordings, respectively. James' music has been most famously sampled by Eric B. & Rakim, Run-D.M.C., Ghostface Killah, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys, Missy Elliott, Will.i.am, Common, Wu-Tang Clan, Röyksopp, De La Soul, Warren G, André 3000, and N.W.A, among many others. This channel is dedicated to the classic jazz music you've loved for years. The smokin' hot, icy cool jams that still make you tap your feet whenever you hear them . . . Cool Jazz is here!

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Copyright 1978 Columbia/Tappan Zee Records
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[panterahellion]

When I was a small kid, probably about 3 years old, my parents watched taxi every night. It's weird but I remember falling asleep hearing this music... every time I hear it, I have this feeling of safety and comfort, like everything is ok somehow. Thank you for uploading this music dj, I appreciate it.

[Robotman]

thanks for turning me on to this smooth music. I've heard this tune so many times but never knew its origin.

Reminds me of my all time favorites, Steely Dan (surely similar influences).

[futureflow19]

@panterahellion Wow I used to go to bed to this too lol I was only a kid as well

[manifest918]

Thanks for posting this.

[MrChrismanqueros]

I remember watching taxi on the reruns they used to show on public TV. I was born in 89, but man for some reason I used to love the show cause of this song, over all it was a really great show too i must say. I miss those days man, best times of my life, being to live as a kid and not have a care in the world but just to go to school and play lol. Now I am 22 and have soon to be 2 year boy of my own. How time flys, Imma have to buy DVDs of this show so me and him can watch em together lol. peace

[lekoman]

@panterahellion I was just thinking the same thing! It's why I came to watch the video. I used to fall asleep to reruns of Taxi on Nick@Nite when I was a kid. Totally takes me back! :)

[panterahellion]

@classy1973 I know how you feel. Isn't it odd how memories can be sparked by something so simple? On a side note, a couple of years ago I had this song as my alarm on my phone to wake me up.  I lived at the time in a farm house that was over a hundred years old. No insulation, or heater. I slept in the front room with my room mate. He HATED waking up to my phone going off in the morning to wake us up for work. Read what you said and called him up. Said he has good memories of it.

[classy1973]

@panterahellion I CAN'T BELIEVE WE HAD THE SAME CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE! MY MOM USED TO STAY UP LATE BY HERSELF TO WATCH TAXI, AND I WOULD TRY TO STAY AWAKE UNTIL SHE CAME TO BED, BECAUSE I WORRIED ABOUT HER BEING DOWNSTAIRS BY HERSELF.BUT I WOULD FALL ASLEEP HEARING THIS SONG. SHE PASSED AWAY IN 2000, AND I USED TO CRY EVERYTIME I HEARD THIS, BUT I'M A LITTLE STRONGER NOW,SO NOW I JUST LISTEN TO THIS TO REMIND ME OF HER.....PEACE AND BLESSINGS.....XOXO

[terminalblue]

DJBuddyLoveCoolJazz OMFGHOWGREATITIS

Go fuck yourself.

[BBQFanNo1]

@Robotman You too. Stop the fighting and arguing between you and GoBackToSchoolFool.

[BBQFanNo1]

@GoBackToSchoolFool Enough of fighting between you two.

[chazmcneill]

for the love of Angela projected muse ; )