Description
Enter In is the fourth solo album by the American singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Vincent, released on Sparrow Records in 1980, distributed by Word. The album was recorded and mixed by Jack Joseph Puig at Martinsound Studios in Alhambra, California; with James Vincent producing.
Featuring James Vincent on vocals and guitar backed by John Rosasco on keyboards, Kenny Wilde on bass and Bob Wilson on drums (the latter two known as the rhythm section of Seawind), with Pat Murphy sitting in on percussion. Horns provided by Bill Reicherback, Chuck Findley, Gary Herbig, and Larry Williams.
More fine soft-n-easy jazz-rock-pop originals with James Vincent’s nimble licks melting right off the frets. Breezy tunes («You’ll Be Right There»), orchestrated ballads («What’s Goin’ On?»), fusion-edged jams («In You I’m Free»), upbeat pop («Make A Joyful Noise»), an acoustic instrumental («Hearken»). All originals, plus a version of the hymn «Take My Life» set to new music. Piano and organ add depth to the music, not to mention Vincent’s voice which has a pleasant soulful hue. Assisted by members of Seawind. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]
Have you ever felt guilty (or sad, or both) over the fact that a lot of secular music is just so doggone good musically compared to the bulk of what we call Christian music? When’s the last time you wished “so-and-so” would get saved (what a “hot” Christian album he’d put out)? ‘Enter In’, James Vincent’s first Sparrow release, (he recorded three previous albums through CBS), addresses question one and alleviates question two. (Besides, the idea is to get saved because you’re a sinner in need of Jesus, not a musician in need of a new gig).
Many Christian “jazz” or “fusion” albums suffer from a disparity of direction and lack of confidence or proficiency in the medium the result is often music that is just not there. Whereever there is, Vincent and company are close, if not on dead-center. Confidence, proficiency and coherent direction, in this case, cover a few awkward lyrics – (that being the only negative aspect of this package).
Vincent produced the LP and handled the guitar chores handily («Hearken», «In You I’m Free»). His basic backing is Seawind’s Bob Wilson on drums, Kenny Wilde on bass (his electric fretless work is wonderful), Pat Murphy on percussion and John Rosasco rounding out with keyboards.
‘Enter In’ joyfully (and effectively) disregards traditionally “safe” territory. Consumer enjoyment of this effort will most likely correspond to the listener’s tendency to want to hear the predictable, formula music that may occupy a vast space on his contemporary Christian record rack.
Ultimately, the scary thing about James Vincent’s ‘Enter In’ is not it’s progressive nature, but the number of well-meaning folks who will listen and honestly ask, “Is he playing and singing … right?”
He is. [CCM, April 1980]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/enter-in/1103196514)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “You’ll Be Right There” – 3:54
A2. “Don’t Trust Your Feelings” – 3:58
A3. “In You I’m Free” – 4:19
A4. “Take My Life” – 3:17
A5. “Spiritual Israel” – 3:55
A6. “Make A Joyful Noise” – 3:07
Side Two
B1. “Hearken” – 1:23
B2. “Come Follow Me” – 4:46
B3. “Enter In” – 5:32
B4. “What’s Goin’ On?” – 4:02
B5. “Walkin’ In The Light” – 4:18
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Sparrow Records.
It was time once again for me to deliver a quality album; however, this time my budget was only one third that of my previous recordings. My earlier projects ran about $100,000 each…
At Sparrow Records Billy Ray introduced me to Bob Wilson, the man who would become my drummer for the new record, and Kenny Wilde, who would be my bass player. Both of these musicians were members of the fusion band Seawind. You may recall that I used the Seawind horn section on ‘Waiting for the Rain‘, and was pleased to now have Bob and Kenny appear on my new album. It was to be entitled ‘Enter In’. John Rosasco would be playing all the keyboards, and my old friend Pat Murphy would again play percussion. The legendary Veryle Mills would perform the heavenly sounding harp music on «Spiritual Israel», and Chuck Findley, Bill Reicherbach, Larry Williams, and Gary Herbig would complete the horn section. Jack Joseph Puig, and Gregg Thompson engineered, and I chose Martin Sound in Alhambra, near Pasadena, to be the recording studio.
A couple of evenings after New Year’s Day, all of the musicians met and we got down to work. The tracking went well, and we got the basic tracks finished in three evenings. The fact that Kenny and Bob played so well together brought a tightness to the rhythm section that made it easy for the rest of us to lock in. Just before the time came for me to do vocals, my newborn daughter and I both became quite ill… in my case with a rather nasty strain of the flu. That pretty much put me out of commission for a few weeks, and though I was hardly back to my usual self, I had to finish the record, regardless, due to the time and budget restraints… Though I went a bit over budget due to the delay caused by my sickness, by February 1st I delivered the finished version of ‘Enter In’. Everyone at Sparrow seemed pleased. [Excerpt from the book “Space Traveler: A Musician’s Odyssey” by James Vincent]
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