Is Strawberry Moon a good place to start with Grover Washington, Jr.?

Yes, Strawberry Moon is recommended as a starting point for new Grover Washington, Jr. listeners. A smooth blend of jazz and soul, featuring lush arrangements and emotive saxophone melodies that evoke late-night reflections. By the time Grover Washington, Jr. released Strawberry Moon in 1987, he was already an established figure in jazz, having gained acclaim from his previous albums like Winelight (1980). This album followed a period of commercial success, showcasing his ability to merge contemporary sounds with traditional jazz elements while continuing to evolve as an artist.

Who is Strawberry Moon for?

Strawberry Moon works well if you're into intimate reflective listening experience, steady mid-tempo grooves and evening wind-down ambiance.

How many songs are on Strawberry Moon?

Strawberry Moon has 9 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Strawberry Moon

Grover Washington, Jr. · 1987

44 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A smooth blend of jazz and soul, featuring lush arrangements and emotive saxophone melodies that evoke late-night reflections.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Strawberry Moon Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its lush saxophone lines and romantic atmosphere, setting the tone for the entire collection.
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The Look of Love — This rendition showcases Washington's ability to blend pop sensibilities with jazz, highlighting his signature saxophone style while interpreting a classic love song.
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I Will Be Here for You — With its heartfelt lyrics and melodic depth, this track exemplifies Washington's emotional expressiveness and establishes a connection with listeners through its warm arrangements.
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Caught a Touch of Your Love — This track features intricate instrumentals that complement Washington's smooth saxophone, illustrating his talent for creating intimate musical moments.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album showcases smooth jazz elements with emotive saxophone work and cohesive arrangements, defining its sound.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of smooth saxophone melodies that dominate the arrangements, often accompanied by lush string sections.
Each track maintains a relaxed tempo, with no significant shifts in dynamics or intensity throughout the record.
Several tracks incorporate subtle rhythmic variations, but they remain within a laid-back groove that characterizes the overall sound.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

intimate reflective listening experience
steady mid-tempo grooves
evening wind-down ambiance
smooth melodies for relaxation

Maybe skip if you

prefer high-energy tracks
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Defined smooth jazz sound; significant commercial and critical success.
Themes: late-night reflections· romantic saxophone melodies· intimate musical moments
Career context: By the time Grover Washington, Jr. released Strawberry Moon in 1987, he was already an established figure in jazz, having gained acclaim from his previous albums like Winelight (1980). This album followed a period of commercial success, showcasing his ability to merge contemporary sounds with traditional jazz elements while continuing to evolve as an artist.
Stylistic neighbors: Bob James· David Sanborn· Kenny G