Windows (musical group)

Windows
Original Windows Line up
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Instrumental Smooth jazz
Years active	1984–1996
Labels	Blue Orchid, Intima, Gold Castle, Cypress, DA Music, Capitol, AMI, RCA
Past members	Skipper Wise Peter White Derol Caraco Ed Cohen Mark LeVang Gary Meek Dave Camp John Mahon Tim Timmermans

Originally formed in the early 80s, the Los Angeles band Windows delivered 11 albums over the course of a dozen years. Guided by bassist/vocalist Skipper Wise and his writing partner keyboardist Ed Cohen, the group was a hybrid sound, and plumbed various forms of fusion while simultaneously examining avenues with more polish and sheen. Peter White performed regularly on many Windows albums appearing as a more or less 'permanent guest', while, in turn, Wise helped launch White's solo career producing his first two releases. Although Windows' fortunes culminated with the 1989 number one radio album “The French Laundry”, some of the finest fruits of Wise's and Cohen's creativity ripened afterward, the 1990 follow up Blue September being among those most particularly noteworthy.

History

Skipper Wise, Peter White & Ed Cohen

Windows Live in 1990

Windows, an instrumental contemporary jazz group that included Skipper (Bassist), Ed Cohen (keyboard), Dudley Brooks (guitar), Tim Timmermans (drums) and Michael Acosta (saxophone). After sending out demo cassettes to record companies and getting back 24 letters saying "Not interested", they received one from Michael Dion of ITI Records expressing interest, saying "I like what I hear, can we meet". They were signed to the label in 1983.^[1] Windows, the self-titled album was released in 1983 on the ITI Records label. It received positive reviews that allowed the group to play locally and create a small following. This local buzz attracted Jim Martone of the new-formed Jazz label Intima/Enigma. Windows was signed in 1984 to Intima/Capitol Records and their second album “Is It Safe” was released soon after.

Skipper Wise & Ed Cohen photographed for the album Blue September

In the summer of 1987, Windows released third album “Mr. Bongo” and it charted Number Three on the new R&R radio format charts now called N.A.C (New Adult Contemporary).

In 1989, signed to a new recording contract at A&M/Cypress records, Windows released “The French Laundry,” the first album to feature Skipper and, guest vocalist Al Stewart, on vocals on the title track.^[2] The album immediately went to Number One on the radio charts and stayed there for six weeks.

In 1990, a new Windows album “Blue September” was released on Cypress/Gold Mountain records. The album peaked at Number Three on the radio charts. This album included Al Stewart, Janis Ian and Skipper singing the three vocal tracks.

In 1992 Ed Cohen left Windows. Skipper reorganized an entirely new Windows lineup which released the Album “From the Asylum” on Blue Orchid/DA Music. The album reached number 14 on the radio charts.

The seventh Windows record "My Red Jacket"^[3] released in 1993.

“Live Laundry” was released in late 1994. It was composed of live performances of songs from the French Laundry record and unreleased material from that period.

The ninth Windows album “Apples and Oranges” was released in 1995 on Blue Orchid/DA Music.

“The First Three Years” a double CD, released in 1994, included the best of the first two Window’s albums and ‘Mr. Bongo” in its entirety.

In 1996, Skipper, along with Les Pierce (of Colour Club), released the eleventh and final Windows album, “A Funky Distinction.”

Discography

References