Jeff Richman - Like That

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:27
Size: 129.2 MB
Styles: Jazz-rock guitar
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[5:38] 1. Like That
[5:28] 2. In Spirited
[5:41] 3. Small Kid Time
[6:27] 4. Awful Pretty
[5:47] 5. The Endless Inbetween
[5:24] 6. Rock Tall
[4:45] 7. Tsuyako
[5:09] 8. Touch And Go
[6:45] 9. In Flux
[5:19] 10. Truffaz

Jeff Richman’s 15th solo release delivers ten hard-hitting, playful compositions with catchy melodies and a refreshingly modern sound. Richman continues to shine in his ability to write music with creative intricacy and sophistication, articulating his individual point of view. This time around, his guitar tone is deeper, more resonant, robust and alive. Richman’s style of playing complex changes fluidly over these infectious grooves will satisfy over many listenings.

Like a musical alchemist, Richman’s purposeful selection of accompanying musicians creates a unique magic and delivers pleasing surprises along the way. A Vinnie Colaiuta solo highlights the expansive, wild adventure on “In Spirited” and Will Kennedy puts his signature on title track “Like That” with a funky backbeat. Larry Golding’s solo on “Tsuyako” adds to its romantic flair, Mitchel Forman lays an all-out solo on “Rock Tall”, and Deron Johnson’s hypnotic acoustic piano on “Endless Inbetween” gives it depth and dimension. Alex Acuna’s vibrant percussion adds just the right amount of muscial spice.

Like That mc
Like That zippy

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Jeff Richman - Aqua

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 56:30
Size: 104,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:37)  1. Everything About You
(6:21)  2. Kahuku
(4:31)  3. Priceless
(6:56)  4. The Big Step
(5:22)  5. Aqua
(4:55)  6. Where I Belong
(6:12)  7. Storm Before The Calm
(5:58)  8. Peace of Work
(5:17)  9. The Nest
(5:17) 10. Down by the River

Taking a decisive turn down his own creative path, Jeff Richman’s latest CD “Aqua” is an evocative and emotional presentation from this artist better known for edgier fusion styles. After producing six tribute CDs for the Tone Center record label, “Aqua” is his first release of new material since 2004 and Richman felt it was time to do something completely new and self-inspired.

Jeff’s Comments:  I wanted to reflect the peaceful, calming sensation of the ocean which I grew up around in the overall sound for this album and each song is a part of that whole concept. I really knew what I wanted for this album, from the warm and jazzy sound of my guitar, to each of the musicians who appeared. This CD came out better than I ever expected. Each musician on this album were my first and only choice because they know how to interpret my music. Individually and collectively, they helped me with my vision and the result is what I feel to be my best work to date. Two world-class and uniquely different drummers, Simon Philips and Will Kennedy blend funk, blues, rock and jazz, perfectly on this album. Dean Taba and I have been recording and playing together for over fifteen years. Abraham Laboriel is a legend and brings a unique magic to every project he’s involved with. Mitchel Forman and Jeff Babko are my two favorite keyboard players because their creativity always compliments what I do. Jeff Beal and Brandon Fields on horns have the creative strength to interpret my music. I’ve worked with Walfredo Reyes since my first album “Himalaya” in 1985 and his percussion adds depth and dimension to the music. Chris Wabich was recommended to me for steel drums and he really pulled off the ideas I had giving me the sound I was looking for. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jeffrichman5

Aqua

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Jeff Richman & Chatterbox - The Line Up

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:28
Size: 150,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:49)  1. The Line Up
(3:31)  2. Window To He Heart
(4:25)  3. Rule Of Thumb
(5:47)  4. It's All One (Jam #1)
(5:18)  5. That Trick
(5:59)  6. Cross My Heart
(6:16)  7. Once More Twice
(4:25)  8. Square Root (Jam #2)
(5:05)  9. Smoke Ring
(4:49) 10. Point Of You
(5:26) 11. Right Here,Right Now (Jam #3)
(2:32) 12. Window To The Heart (Reprise)

Contemporary jazz guitarist Jeff Richman announces the release date of his upcoming CD, Jeff Richman and Chatterbox: The Line Up for October 18. The Nefer Records release is Richman's 16th solo project and features Mitchel Forman on keyboards, Joel Taylor on drums and Dean Taba on bass guitar. The new CD is distributed by City Hall Records and songs will be available online at iTunes, Amazon and other music websites. The Line Up consists of 12 new tracks exploring and expanding the boundaries of contemporary jazz. Together, the odd metered time signatures, key changes, rhythm variations, polyphony, improvisation and tempos are overcome by the band as they weave in and out of these original compositions by Richman. On three of the tracks Richman, Forman, Taylor and Taba take artistic liberties into their own hands with their shared composition of jam tracks "It's All One", "Square Root" and "Right Here, Right Now". While recording, Richman imposes challenges on himself and the band to grow and capture a bigger audience; to include them in on the musical journey. There is an inherent sense throughout the CD that gives the listener the impression that Richman and the band want the listener to experience the same fun, challenges, joy, conflict and sorrow as they do when performing. It's not forced and it happens organically, as if each song is a conversation. The melody masquerades as the topic, ideas get passed around between the artists and the audience is allowed to eavesdrop; the invisible barrier between talent and audience being removed. Guitarist Jeff Richman has enjoyed success on the jazz scene for nearly 35 years. His guitar playing is cited as tasteful and articulate, with room to breathe. 

He is recognized by and associated with the other luminaries of the fusion and contemporary jazz. His guitar is heard the world over. On this new release, his tone rises above with something unique that can't quite be described. It is the impression of a barebones approach that has simplified his tone but made it gigantic. He uses his go to Fender Strats and Teles, a Jim Hall Sadowsky, a silver faced Marshall Jubilee but this time there is something else in the water. Throughout his career, Richman has recorded and performed with the crème de la crème of talent. He has discovered and forged a solid rapport with each member of the band. Now he successfully brings them together to form one cohesive unit that seems untouchable on this recording. As Richman sums it up, "This is the band. This is what I've wanted to achieve. I know I can go anywhere in the world with these guys and it will be an amazing time for us and the fans. It feels good, it sounds good, and I can't wait to take this show out on the road." http://www.jazzreview.com/new-jazz-releases/the-line-up-by-jeff-richman-and-chatterbox.html

Personnel:  Bass – Dean Taba;  Drums – Joel Taylor;  Guitar – Jeff Richman;  Keyboards – Mitchel Forman

The Line Up

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Jeff Richman - Hotwire

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:34
Size: 118,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:21)  1. Hit Spot
(4:02)  2. Seven Up
(3:59)  3. Chloe
(4:33)  4. "Oh, Yeah?"
(5:53)  5. North Shore
(4:46)  6. One Last Kiss
(4:42)  7. Little Waves
(5:57)  8. Solar City
(4:45)  9. Golden Arrow
(5:32) 10. Miles Per Hour

I was all in from the start of this album or maybe before seeing that Jeff Richman is backed up by George Whitty on keys and the one-two punch of Jimmy Haislip (bass) and Vinnie Colaiuta (drums). That alone made me want to break into a chorus of “Hallelujah” (Handel, not Cohen). Of course, Richman's resume is long and storied and "Hotwire" (Nefer Music Records) only pads that brilliant career. Colaiuta’s kick and high hat opened the album on “Hit Spot.” Fold in Whitty, Haislip and Richman and you’ve got the makin’s! Not only does Haislip handle to bass but produces the album, as well. George Whitty contributes extraordinary keyboards to make any fusion aficionado stand up in salute. Jeff Beal on trumpet is a sweet addition to the track which, at 7:24, is the longest track of the album. It gives a broad vision of the shape of things to come. “Seven Up” drops the fusion approach and becomes more melodic while that rhythm section keeps things lively. Joining Beal’s trumpet is Brandon Fields on sax and these two combine with Whitty and Richman for a little bit of a Jazz-Funk exercise. Like all the tracks but one, Jeff Richman wrote “Chloe” and is more of a ballad which is taken up by the quartet alone. The pace is leisurely and sweet without losing itself in sentimentality. It is playful and energetic and thoughtful and, obviously, dedicated to his daughter.

Jan Hammer’s great composition “Oh, Yeah?” follows next with Jeff Lorber sitting in for Whitty. Jimmy Branly sits at the congas and the result must be exactly what Hammer had long ago envisioned. Richman is at a harmonic high and creates a fascinating version of the song with Richman taking over Hammer’s keyboard parts. A great swag track. A complete reshuffling of the line-up occurs for “North Shore.” Anthony Jackson takes on the bass with Gary Novak on drums and Mike Stern doubling Richman on guitar. Gary Fukashima accompanies on acoustic piano and performs beautifully atop the driving rhythm section in support of Richman’s sweeping color. Josefine Löfgren provides lovely backing vocals that remind of the great vocalisations from Nana Vasconcelos. Richman and Fukashima are splendid together and equally reminiscent of Pat Metheny and Lyle Myles together. Colaiuta and Whitty return for “One Last Kiss” with Dean Taba on acoustic bass and Mitchel Forman on acoustic piano. It is a more straight-up Jazz ballad with Richman alternating between the clean and the fuzzy so very compellingly. The support group is more subdued here as Richman takes true center-stage. There is a melancholy sweetness that is highlighted by Forman’s acoustic piano and Whitty’s swells and shimmers. So well done.

The original quartet returns with the addition of Scott Kinsey on piano for “Little Waves.” Whitty introduces a cool, churchy approach against Richman’s advancing and ascending lead guitar. Scott Kinsey’s piano gets a good solo turn backed by the staggered rhythms of Colaiuta. Jazz goes to church here. “Solar Waves” keeps Haislip on bass but the drums are handled by George Borlai. Kinsey remains on the keyboards. The chord changes grab the listener’s attention throughout the piece. Haislip offers what sounds like a tip of the hat to John Wetton in a couple of spots. Kinsey gets some spotlight time and holds the door open for Richman’s coolest moments. The coda is smoking hot. One of the most well-crafted pieces on the album is “Golden Arrow.” The core musicians are back with Beal on flugelhorn. The pearl-stringed doublets create a nice groove and Beal lights it up with that flugelhorn. Enter Jeff Richman who takes complete command. Haislip rejects the doublets and maintains a steady stride behind the theme, in step with Colaiuta. It is a piece that seems predictable but the switched up drum patterns and bass runs stagger against the melodic line and creates something unexpected. Beal is fascinating in his pacing with Whitty and Richman. It is perhaps his standout moment on the album. It is also one of Richman’s greatest moments in an album full of great moments. The composition itself is a monument.

The album concludes with “Miles Per Hour.” The line-up for the finale is the same as on “North Shore” with the sole omission of Josefine Löfgren’s vocals. The title is probably in reference to Richman’s son named Miles. It is a fun and raucous romp with exciting rhythms and Richman himself cutting swaths of merriment throughout the piece. The rhythms are more straight-forward here which allows greater emphasis on the melody and harmonies. A nice closer. “Hotwire” is Jeff Richman’s seventeenth album as a leader and is as exciting as anything that has gone before in his 35+ year career. It is another grand meeting of compositions and performances. The supporting artists are absolutely top-flight and they are spot-on for Richman’s compositional mastery. Richman assumes whatever role the piece requires lead or support and the music is allowed to truly shine through. Fortunately, he has the virtuosity to meet or even exceed his writing brilliance. ~ Travis Rogers  http://jazztimes.com/community/articles/162600-jeff-richman-walks-the-hotwire

Hotwire

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Jeff Richman - Big Wheel

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:21
Size: 115,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:14)  1. Hell If I Know
(4:25)  2. Big Deal
(4:52)  3. That Girl
(6:21)  4. The Last Notch
(4:47)  5. Happy Medium
(5:03)  6. Keep It Light
(4:50)  7. 12 Steps to the Bar
(3:40)  8. Long Distance Love
(4:37)  9. The Inside Scoop
(5:28) 10. One Stone

Jeff's 17th Album contains 8 new original compositions along with two covers: Stevie Wonder's That Girl and Little Feat's Long Distance Love. Veteran all star cast of musicians: Steve Gadd on drums, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Jeff Lorber and George Whitty on keyboards. Produced by Jimmy Haslip. Jeff Richman's extensive professional background includes performing on guitar, composing, arranging and recording music in many genres, and teaching in academic and private settings. He has produced 16 solo albums and toured worldwide with notable musicians over a 35-year career. Jeff is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a student, he studied privately with Pat Metheny, Mick Goodrick and William Levitt and was influenced by talented classmates Mike Stern, Bill Frissel, Al DiMeola and Vinnie Colaiuta to name a few. After graduating, he lived and performed in New York City where he was further influenced by attending live performances of renowned legends Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Charlie Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Charlie Haden, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Keith Jarret, Gil Evans, Chet Baker, McCoy Tyner, Joe Pass, Cannonball Adderley and Jim Hall. These early influences inspired Jeff and helped him to develop his own voice while striving to make his original compositions meaningful, purposeful, and with an honesty that comes from his heart.

While in New York City Jeff performed with renowned Puerto Rican Conga player, Ray Barretto and composed four songs and performed guitar solos on Barretto's album "Can You Feel It" in 1978. He later toured in the US with Flora Purim and Airto and played in live venues with several well-known artists such as Tom Harrel, Chico Hamilton, Deodato, Blood Sweat and Tears, Willie Bobo and Gerry Mulligan. In 1979 Jeff moved to Los Angeles and toured with Ronnie Laws and Doc Severnson’s band. The LA scene provided further opportunity to play with and record alongside talented artists such as Ernie Watts, Harvey Mason, T Lavitz, John Klemmer, Alfonse Mouzon, Henry Mancini, Mark Isham, Robbie Krieger and M’shell Ndugucello. Jeff wrote and produced hundreds of “library music” cuts in numerous genres which are played regularly on TV shows throughout the world. Jeff has performed on a multitude of television and film projects, the most recent of which was under the direction of award-winning composer Jeff Beal for the film "Appaloosa" with actor Ed Harris. 

As Producer, Arranger and performing artist under the Tone Center record label, Jeff recorded and released 6 CD projects paying tribute to Santana, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Steely Dan, Miles Davis, Jeff Beck, and John Coltrane. Each CD showcases Jeff and other world class guitarists including Mike Stern, Robben Ford, John Scofield. http://www.abstractlogix.com/xcart/product.php?productid=25834

Personnel: Jeff Richman (guitar); Jeff Lorber (keyboards); Steve Gadd (drums).

Big Wheel

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