FRANK BRIGGS: China Ranch

Frank Briggs

China Ranch

© 2008 Frank Briggs - Robusto Music ASCAP (796873059114)

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Supple melodies dance over shape-shifting modes and contrasting instrumental voicings. The players carve deep jazz- and funk-based grooves while playfully displacing beats and inverting expectations around every corner.

notes

Personnel: Frank Briggs: composer, drums, keyboards, programming; Brian Price: guitar (1-7,9); Kit Walker: Fender Rhodes, synths (1, 3, 7, 8); Steve Weingart: piano, Fender Rhodes, synths (2-4, 6, 9); Ric Fierabracci: bass (1-3, 5, 7, 10); Mitchel Forman: Fender Rhodes, blowtorch, piano (5, 10); Frank Gambale: guitar (10); Mark Doyle: guitar (8); Travis Carlton: bass (4); Chris Golden: bass (6, 8); Jeff Babko: Fender Rhodes, synths (9); Jimmy Earl: bass (9). Rich Breen; mix engineer,

reviews

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  • Remarkable
    author: Justin

    Enjoyable from the very first note to the last. Very well done. Best of luck with your amazing release.

  • Really Smokin'
    author: Chris Buck

    China Ranch is superb in every aspect. You have written some beautiful tunes and produced an incredible jazz fusion record. I listened to it twice today while driving. The playing by all is chop crazy and totally tasty at the same time. I can't say enough about it. One of the best over all projects of this type since Heavy Weather. Totally love it and I'm singing your praises man...really smokin'.

  • An refreshing throwback
    author: Matt Self

    I first learned of Frank Briggs through his Mel Bay instructional book, and was puzzled how this virtuoso drummer wasn't included among the pantheon of great American set players. He is every bit as skilled and versed as legends such as Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl. What he has lacked is a high-profile venue to showcase his art. His new CD, China Ranch, may very well be that launching pad to notoriety. The list of drummers who successfully lead jazz projects is a short one, but it's rare to find such a skilled composer and arranger such as Frank. This effort is reminscent of a different era of jazz fusion, when players played music and there was more concern for the art than the commercial viability of the project. Fans of ground-breaking acts such as Weather Report and Allan Holdsworth will find a kindred spirit here, and there is no shortage of players among the guest list; Steve Weingart, Ric Fierabracci, Frank Gambale, Jimmy Earl, and Jeff Babko are just a few of the "who's who" of elite players gathered for China Ranch. You would expect a drummer to give himself room on his own CD -- and there is no doubt a wealth of stretching here to linger over -- but the pleasant surprise is the strong quality of composition. The freedom the musicians have never overwhelms the music. Tracks such as China Ranch and Desert Flower stand out as excellent cross-over material with a nod towards the past, where ballads such as Melonie and Riverwalk are welcome retreats to thoughtful melodies. Like his hero Tony Williams, Briggs leans strongly towards the original jazz-rock idea, and avoids old fusion pitfalls such as out-dated synth sounds and crass funk jams. This is an earnest musician playing earnest fusion. Clearly, Briggs had a broader vision here than to merely blow his own horn -- or bang his own drum -- and is able to communicate it in an age when jazz fusion sorely needs a return to its roots.

  • Outstanding Debut Release..
    author: Modern Drummer Magazine 11/08

    Veteran Drummer/Educator Frank Briggs gathers LA's top Jazz/Rock/World fusion cats (keyboardist Steve Weingart and bassist Ric Fierabracci in particular) to perform his dynamic instrumental compositions, designed to allow these monsters to shine. Briggs' tasty chops and fat grooves highlight this outstanding debut release...

  • Out of This World!
    author: Paul Thomas Yoder

    Frank's first release is a standard by which all others should be measured. This CD is off the chain. If you want to hear how tight, inventive and inspiring world-class jazz fusion should sound...BUY IT! And if you think the CD is killer, you should see Frank & his band perform....WOW.

  • What a heavy-duty CD!
    author: BB

    I finally had a chance to check out China Ranch yesterday. What a heavy-duty CD! That's some serious fusion. The drum sound is really great, thick but crystal clear, and Ric Fierabracci is out of his mind. I really enjoyed it, and it was nice to hear Frank stretching out and really doing his thing. Some nice heavy guitar riffs on there as well. Thanks for making my morning more fun. :-)

  • Excellent project...
    author: Terri Lyne

    It really sounds great I will use it for some cool examples with my students...Excellent Project...

  • Fine Tuned Grooves
    author: Frank DeChichio

    This Cd is an emotional ride through fine tuned grooves. Put it on and leave it on, there is muc to be heard here. Briggs lays it down like no other. This band opened a new door to music, the sound quality is pristine. Nothing will sound as good when you take this CD out of the player. You must add this one to your collection.

  • What Can I Say..
    author: Bruce B.

    China Ranch was waiting for me when I got home from work last night. Grabbed dinner and slid upstairs to my studio to give it a listen. With the lights turned low, a fresh cup of coffee on the console and my best friend Gretchen at my feet, the headphones came alive. I was transported back in time, when everyone else was listening to "Yummy Yummy Yummy" and we sat up in your room with Tony Williams Lifetime and Bitches Brew. You have done it my man!!! They can never take it away from you. Your work is outstanding. What more can I say than I love it. It is exactly what I expected. Nothing less than perfect. I must say I'm very proud of you. It has always been about the music with you and I can honestly say it was those early days listening to Mahavishnu's "Vital Transformation" and Billy Cobham's "Stratus" that planted a seed that couldnot wither. I myself have always known that growing up with you and being exposed to your insight and energy has made me a better musician than I ever would had been had we not been friends. I would like to thank you for that and tell you that China Ranch has really lit a new flame in me. Keep up the good work. See ya on the Grammys.

  • Totally outstanding!
    author: Mike

    Every time I listen to this album I hear something new. Alltime favorite to be sure. Frank & supporting cast have created a treasure. Can't wait for round two. All the best Mr. Briggs

  • I think China Ranch is great!
    author: Peter

    In fact one of my current favourites . Good tunes, some very talented players. I am a big fan of Ric Fierabracci and there is some excellent guitar playing, particularly from Brian Price who I have not heard before. Keep up the good work! I'm already looking forward to the next album!

  • A Great Listen.
    author: Steve H.

    Great tunes, killer playing, and I dig the loops!! Congrats on a superb final product. China Ranch is a great listen. :-)

  • OMG!!
    author: Tom

    I don't have the words (or qualifications) to accurately describe how impressed I am with the China Ranch CD and with Frank as a drummer and composer. Suffice it to say I love it.

  • I Love this Album.
    author: Anna

    Hello from London! China Ranch has been playing at my house for weeks now. Everytime I listen I hear something new. I love this music and so many great solos. Beautiful guitars...thank you!!

  • Dude - what are you doing tonight?
    author: d.guisee

    The title track makes me want to have sex right now. But then there is that song 'Dreams' - a little wistful, a little driving. But all rockin', foot tapping, body-pumping and totally fills your ears. This will be my stocking stuffers for lots of friends, come next Christmas.

  • This CD SMOKES!!!
    author: Mark L.

    I usually don't give in-depth critiques of cds other than to say that it's good and/or tell my friends that they should just go ahead and buy it. It is so refreshing to hear someone play like this. I mean to have the chops right there and yet it doesn't take away from the tune itself. A lot of the cds I have heard lately in this genre, they will burn chops, but they aren't saying anything musically. That's certainly not the case here! I give you much kudos on a SUPERB recording!!! Everything sounds perfect on the record! the drums, cymbals, the mixing, everything! I am definitely recommending this one for the recorded performance of the year for the next Modern Drummer readers poll. Wish you the best of success with your new disc!!

  • Wow Frank!
    author: Rob K.

    I'm blown away by this CD, I just finished listening! This is a deep record, with some serious blowin' throughout and will require some repeated listening. What a adventurous and soaring vibe.... I love the tunes and of course the playing, production and recorded quality are on the highest level! Congratulations on a spectacular debut and I wish you all the success that you deserve with it! China Ranch, I wanna go too...

  • China Ranch
    author: Steve R.

    This album is a solid reminder to me of why I love this music so much – thank you Frank and company.

  • A Classic
    author: John F

    I predict that "China Ranch" will find it's way into every music lover's collection. This CD is SO good. Great music, stellar playing and just awesome sounding. Top notch in every way. I feel like I did when I discovered Pat Metheny or Return to Forever. This is special. Thank you.

  • fat, funky and in the pocket!
    author: Mike

    I really like the drumming style- fat, funky and in the pocket! The tunes are just the style that I enjoy most. And, what a line up of players!! I wish you much success with this great release!

  • Holy Smokes!
    author: D Northrup

    .....and so the inspiration continues........this CD is freaking amazing.....musical as hell!!!!!!!! I am so pysched. Great stuff and Frank is playing his ass off as always.....

  • CD sounds KILLER!
    author: JB

    thanks so much!!!! great work!!

  • WOW!
    author: D Perry

    Wow - phenomenal........fantastic playing, writing and arranging and that was just the first listening!!! You should feel very good about it. I am really looking forward to digging in to it on my overseas trip! Very inspiring!

  • Absolutely excellent work...
    author: B Johnson

    Absolutely excellent work... pristine drumming. The supporting cast of musicians shows killer taste in sidemen. It is cool to hear Travis Carlton on this- I just saw him on tour with Robben Ford and his Dad (Larry Carlton), Novak was on drums. Damn. Killer player with a bright future (Travis I mean, we all know about the rest of those names). I also keep seeing Ric Fierabracci's name popping up with great players and rightly so. The production is superb and the drumming is so inspiring. Great drum sound! Completely badass work, Mr. Briggs. Thumbs up!

  • 'm totally and completely blown away with China Ranch
    author: K Sterling

    Frank has clearly carved his own "voice" as a musician. Quite frankly, I'm just completely blown away with the whole cd in every respect. Frank's playing is at a level few musicians ever reach - the compositions area great and take me on a journey, musically and otherwise. So many things I hear recently are "okay" or maybe not even okay, and they don't take me anywhere. Oddly enough, some of them are by some of the most well known musicians, too! Each of these compositions takes me on a journey and it's the greatest thing, man!

  • China Ranch… the entire album
    author: Jeff Abbe

    To rate China Ranch as “World Class” just doesn’t say enough. Ladies and Gentlemen… this is “TOP SHELF World Class”. Here in New York State, where Frank Briggs grew up, it was a given to me and my friends that this guy would end up playing in one of the top named groups. Apparently we were wrong… He’s become one of the Top Names.

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