Lee Oskar's solo career got off to an enjoyable start with this self-titled collection of pop-jazz and instrumental pop/R&B. From this point on, the Danish-born harmonica player had two careers, as a member of
War and as a solo artist. It's a good thing that
Oskar chose to remain in the highly successful
War, for his instrumental solo albums were on the esoteric side and lacked
War's commercial appeal. Not a huge seller, this album was a creative success more than a commercial one. The album gets off to an impressive start with the haunting "I Remember Home (A Peasant's Symphony)," and
Oskar keeps the artistic momentum going with instrumentals that range from the congenial "Sunshine Keri" and the laid-back "BLT" to the funky "Down the Nile." Originally a vinyl LP, Lee Oskar was reissued on CD in 1995. ~ Alex Henderson