Record Reviews

ROBBEN FORD & BILL EVANS ~ COMMON GROUND MPS 4029759178842 (Barcode: 4029759178842) ~ USA ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2022 This is the 2nd album by the duo of American Fusion musicians, guitarist Robben FordFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, recorded with bassist Darryl JonesFind albums by this artist and drummer Keith CarlockFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Max MutzkeFind albums by this artist appears on one track. The album presents nine tracks, five by Ford and four by Evans. The music is a predictable mixture of Blues, Melodic Fusion and Smooth Jazz, which is very listenable and widely accessible, but lacks any particular artistic values, except of course the very high level of professional performance skills by all the participants. Ford is an exceptionally gifted Blues guitarist and Evans a great Jazz saxophonist, but they are here to enjoy themselves rather than play some serious music. Overall, this is a highly entertaining album, smoothly performed by all participants, ideal for cocktail parties and long rides in a cabriolet. I confess that when I am particularly gloomy and tired, this kind of music is exactly what the doctor prescribed!

Updated: 23/07/2024Posted: 23/07/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ROBBEN FORD & BILL EVANS ~ THE SUN ROOM EAR MUSIC 4029759140412 (Barcode: 4029759140412) ~ USA ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by the duo of American Fusion musicians, guitarist Robben FordFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, recorded with bassist James GenusFind albums by this artist, drummer Keith CarlockFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Rob AiresFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Lurie WheelerFind albums by this artist appears on a couple of tracks. The album presents nine tracks, four by Ford and five by Evans. The music is a predictable mixture of Blues, Melodic Fusion and Smooth Jazz, which is very listenable and widely accessible, but lacks any particular artistic values, except of course the very high level of professional performance skills by all the participants. Ford is an exceptionally gifted Blues guitarist and Evans a great Jazz saxophonist, but they are here to enjoy themselves rather than play some serious music. Overall, this is a highly entertaining album, smoothly performed by all participants, ideal for cocktail parties and long rides in a cabriolet. I confess that when I am particularly gloomy and tired, this kind of music is exactly what the doctor prescribed!

Updated: 01/07/2024Posted: 01/07/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GRANT GEISSMAN ~ BLOOZ FUTURISM 2765 (Barcode: 899653002765) ~ USA ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album by veteran American guitarist / composer Grant GeissmanFind albums by this artist, recoded with many well-known Jazz / Blues musicians, like trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, pianists David GarfieldFind albums by this artist and Russell FerranteFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tom ScottFind albums by this artist, guitarists Robben FordFind albums by this artist, Josh SmithFind albums by this artist, Joe BonamassaFind albums by this artist and John JorgensonFind albums by this artist, as well as a rhythm section comprising of keyboardist Jim CoxFind albums by this artist, bassist Trey HenryFind albums by this artist and drummer Ray BrinkerFind albums by this artist and a few others. The album presents twelve original compositions, all by the leader. The music is all Smooth Jazz oriented, with a Blues tinge but not really Blues in the classic meaning of the idiom. It is all very well played, with no risks taken, and the presence of the invited guests is not able to infuse any real fire. Geissman is obviously a very professional guitar player, and shows his chops along the way, but his compositions are quite forgettable and although pleasant on the ear, leave no lasting impression. Overall, this is a nice Smooth Jazz album, with some good guitar parts and a Bluesy feel, which might be great for driving, but calling it “Blooz” is misleading in the least.

Updated: 29/10/2022Posted: 29/10/2022

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

RUDY ROTTA ~ ME, MY MUSIC AND MY LIFE PEPPER CAKE 2071 (Barcode: 090204625833) ~ ITALY ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is a 2CD album by the great Italian Blues-Rock guitarist / vocalist / composer Rudy RottaFind albums by this artist, recorded with various bands and a host of Blues-Rock luminaries, like guitarist Peter GreenFind albums by this artist, harmonica player Carey BellFind albums by this artist, Godfather of British Blues John MayallFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Brian AugerFind albums by this artist and guitarist Robben FordFind albums by this artist. The album presents twenty-five tracks, mostly his original and some Blues and Pop standards arranged by him. Although relatively little known to the international Blues audiences, Rotta played with some of the greatest names of the genre and released a long series of wonderful albums. He was very respected by his peers and his guitar playing is considered as some of the best Blues guitar ever. This album sums up his entire career, which lasted for over four decades, and is untimely death in 2017 robbed the world of an incredible talent. Overall, this is a great Blues-Rock album by one of the most iconic European representative of the genre, which offers a great set of songs and some superb guitar playing by him and his guests. For Blues-Rock fans, who never heard about Rotta, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with his work. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Updated: 19/05/2022Posted: 19/05/2022

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ THE ROYAL DAN MASCOT 7189 (Barcode: 8712725718925) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 This is the 4th project in the series of Fusion tributes, conceived, produced and arranged by Jeff RichmanFind albums by this artist. Dedicated this time to the fabulous music of Steely DanFind albums by this artist – the band that gave us all some of the best crafted and most sophisticated tunes ever. The format is again a fixed band (Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist – drums, Jimmy HaslipFind albums by this artist – bass, Peter WolfFind albums by this artist – keyboards and Ernie WattsFind albums by this artist – sax) with a long gallery of Fusion guitarists (Robben FordFind albums by this artist, Steve MorseFind albums by this artist, Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist, Mike SternFind albums by this artist, Frank GambaleFind albums by this artist and others). The electrifying performances seem to go on forever and as the music is obviously excellent, the entire project is just one great heap of fun. For Fusion heads and guitar lovers this is obviously a must have, but most music loving folks should have a feast with this stuff.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ VIVA CARLOS!: A SUPERNATURAL MARATHON CELEBRATION MASCOT 7210 (Barcode: 8712725721024) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 5th Fusion tribute album produced by Jeff RichmanFind albums by this artist (see the earlier John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and Steely DanFind albums by this artist Fusion tributes). Sticking to the same formula, the producer sets up a “house band” (this time including Peter WolfFind albums by this artist – keyboards, Abe LaborielFind albums by this artist – bass, Dave WecklFind albums by this artist – drums and Luis ConteFind albums by this artist – percussion) and matches it with some of the best Fusion guitar players (this time Robben FordFind albums by this artist, Frank GambaleFind albums by this artist, Albert LeeFind albums by this artist, Pat MartinoFind albums by this artist, Mike SternFind albums by this artist and others). As the title suggests, the subject matter this time is the music of Carlos SantanaFind albums by this artist. Since this formula worked out splendidly on the previous four albums, there is no reason to suspect that things would go wrong this time, and indeed they don’t. The only problem might have been the choice of material from the vast SantanaFind albums by this artist repertoire, but fortunately only the best tunes were selected, all of them from his early and most fruitful years. The various guitar players, rather then to imitate Santana’s guitar sound and special technique, play in their own individual way, taking the music places often quite different from the origin. The entire album works out beautifully as a whole and Fusion fans (and guitar freaks) should have a field day with this stuff.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend