A Brighter Day

Ronny Jordan

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 14, 2000)
• Original Release Date: March 14, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B00004NJLP
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,431 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
On his fourth recording--his first for Blue Note Records-- guitarist Ronny Jordan moves in a more mainstream direction. He minimizes the hip-hop and rap elements in his mix to favor a more subdued, straightforward jazz approach that brings to mind one of Jordan's role models, Wes Montgomery. While this may furrow the brows of some acid-jazz fans, the results heard on this 73-minute excursion are largely positive and quietly appealing. The London-born Jordan reveals himself as thoughtful and expressive player, notably on self-composed, Pat Metheny-like, pop-jazz cruisers ("Two Worlds," "Rio," "Seeing Is Believing") and in a more mainstream vein, "5/8 in Flow." For some listeners, A Brighter Day may at times stray uncomfortably close to smooth-jazz innocuousness, but Jordan's prevailing inventiveness makes the overall package a pleasant one. Highlights are the soft-but-sweet grooves found on "Aftermath" and "Mackin'," the animated playing from vibraphonist Roy Ayers on "Mystic Voyage," and the nimble finger work heard on "New Delhi." --Terry Wood

From Jazziz
After Island Records released his debut album, "The Antidote," in 1993, guitarist Ronny Jordan quickly became part of the acid-jazz buzz. But Jordan says there's always been more to him than groove and he's happy about finally being able to share his other sides on his new CD, "A Brighter Day" (Blue Note). "When people think of me, they think of a guy who loves those beats, and oh yeah, plays a little guitar. But I've always seen myself as a guitarist first, one who ventures into various directions. I really feel this record is giving me the first opportunity to show all I can do." The track "Two Worlds," finds Jordan mining an aggressive bossa-minded groove, holding occasional musical conversations with the energetic, Latin-styled piano of Marcus Persiani.

REVIWER: - JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc. Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back To Business For Ronny, March 19, 2000

By A Customer

This is a fantastic return to form for Ronny Jordan. What the reviewer above me fails to grasp is the fact that musical tastes are changing and that Ronny Jordan is merely adapting to this change. Acid jazz is dead. Look around: The Talking Loud label - the pioneers of acid jazz - are moving away from this sound and instead going for the hip-hop/R&B market; Incognito now concentrate on making albums that are Brit-funk. Ronny could not have made another acid jazz album. This is a contemporary jazz album which incorporates many strains of jazz: he is not attempting to be another George Benson like the incredibly talented, yet conservative Norman Brown. Tracks like "Aftermath" and "Mackin" are hip-hop influenced with some trip-hop thrown in for good measure. His interpretations of "Why" and "Mystic Voyage" are up to his usual high standard when dealing with covers. Towards the end of the album, Ronny tackles latin jazz with great success - "Mambo Inn" and "Rio" are excellent. Yet, amongst all this fusion of sounds, he finds the time to create "5/8 In Flow," which is pure jazz with one of the best drummers around, Jeff "Tain" Watts. This is what makes Ronny Jordan such a unique talent - few other artists are able to make the switch fusion to straight-ahead jazz with such ease. Trust me, there is no other guitarist around who is on a par with Ronny Jordan. When are Americans going to take notice of this guy. He is the true successor to Wes Montgomerey.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome return to form by Ronny Jordan, March 25, 2000

By	Andrew Cairney (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

I've been a huge Ronny Jordan since the release of his classic debut "The Antidote" in 1992 and have eagerly anticipated every new recording he has produced since. This CD in a move for Ronny into new styles (latin, world, straight ahead jazz) while still retaining the beautiful tone, improvisation, sense of melody and streetwise sensibility that we have come to expect from him. The factor that makes Ronny standout from the rest of the guitarists in contemporary jazz is that he is not locked into a sound or market niche. The variety of styles is reflected in the standout Victor Feldman tune, New Delhi, featuring some excellent acoustic guitar and indian influence. I love the trio of latin tunes (Two Worlds, Mambo Inn, Rio) and the duet with Roy Ayers on Mystic Voyage. A word of warning - don't get put off by the slow start to this recording (the 1st 2 tracks A Bright Day and Aftermath are a bit uninspiring). If you're thinking of purchasing this CD, DO IT!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mackin Daddy, July 30, 2001

By A Customer

The guy below wouldn't know a "chop" if it hit him in the head... About 3 minutes or so into Mackin' are some of the sweetest guitar chops on the planet. I live for tasty "chops", they're what jazz is all about. Take the thick, smooth brown gravy provided by the bass line in this tune, add some go-go (as distinguished from hip-hop), and mama's gonna have to pry me from the table. That's all I'm talkin 'bout.