AMG Review of Ginseng Woman/Multiplication

Alex Henderson
All Music Guide

When it comes to smothering a recording with over-production or being much too slick for his own good, keyboardist Bob James is an expert. In the 1970s, James lent his "expertise" to Eric Gale's albums Ginseng Woman and Multiplication (which were united on a single CD in 1991). To be sure, James' arranging is excessive. But the damage isn't as severe as one might imagine, and the ubiquitous jazz/R&B/pop guitarist actually has enough room to stretch out at times -- as does Grover Washington, Jr. (tenor sax). Far from exceptional but generally decent and enjoyable, these albums make it clear that Gale could be a very appealing and tasteful soloist when given room to breathe.