Joe Sample has been around a very long time.  He was first introduced to me (his music rather) when I was in college.  He was the center piece of mainstream jazz band called The Crusaders.  Only later did I figure out that this band came for the Jazz Crusaders which were more hard bop.  The Crusaders were more of the Jazz fusion/funk mode.  For lack of a better term his solo music for the last ten years has been very low key.  I'm not sure that there is a good transition from one CD to another.

This tune U-Turn is Joe Sample at his best.  He uses the acappella group Take 6 for vocals.   Take 6 was very hot in the early to mid 90's.