In the late 70s, James Mason decided to move on from being Roy Ayers' ace guitar player and make a solo record on the jazz label Chiaroscuro recruiting the talents of Narada Michael Walden on drums and Gene Torres on bass. 1977's 'Rhythm of Life' is a sophisticated soul jazz gem. The album makes great use of new technology of the time, manufacturing memorable synth grooves over the vocal talents of Clarice Taylor. At the time, the album was too funky for jazz stations and too jazzy for soul stations, hence it faded into obscurity until it was revitalised in the 80s acid jazz scene in the UK.