Customer Reviews

China Ranch

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
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Overall, a very good CD. Great drum sounds throughout. From the bass drum to the ride, good clear production on the drums. Not knocking the production on any other instruments - which is all good - , I just primarily was listening to the drums. I'm a drummer.

Killer performances throughout from all players involved. Frank is just awesome. Subtle but powerful. Bassist Ric Fierabracci stands out and makes many nice moments happen. The many guitarists weep and wail when appropriate with great skill.

Engaging and great feeling tunes. What more could you ask for? Buy it!

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.

The reviews before me are very articulate. Let me be short and sweet. Buy this cd! If you love good music with integrity, buy this cd. This is the real deal. Real music played by real musicians. Frank is an amazing drummer and composer. He wrote all the tracks and surrounded himself with brilliant players for these sessions. Tasty ensemble playing all the way, every track is a standout. When I hear the dreck that is being pumped out under the heading of "smooth jazz" I am so thankful that we still have real musicians with soul and integrity, putting it out there for anyone with ears to listen, and hear the difference. Bravo Frank.

I have been a jazz/funk/fusion fan for many years now. I am very familiar with Dave Weckl, Gary Novak, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith, Tommy Igoe, Jojo Mayer, etc. Let me tell you right now, this CD is right up there with the best of them. This is one of those CD's where I like EVERY single track. The musicianship is top of the line World-Class!

Frank's drumming is definitely "Cream of the Crop" elite quality. This is why I have become a student of Frank's. Frank is literally one of my favorite drummers along with the aforementioned players. I am blown away by the fact that I will be studying with one of my favorite drummers in the world.

The music here is so much better than most fusion, and the players and performances are top-notch. One can buy this CD at cdbaby.com and abstractlogix.com. If you like fusion and you care about the compositions, buy this as soon as possible.

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...

All About Jazz

Regardless of the myriad of labels thrust upon it, "good music is simply good music".

With that stated, drummer Frank Briggs' release, China Ranch, could fit comfortably within many categorizations, its elements including fusion/progressive rock, electronic music, grooveacious funk or contemporary jazz with plenty of creative substance.

A propulsive drummer in the style of Tony Williams, Briggs has been active in the Los Angeles area for a number of years. With this debut he enlists the help of a stellar cast of musicians; some lesser known in addition to recognizable veterans such as guitarist Frank Gambale and keyboardist/composer Kit Walker. With inspiration from a desert hike in China Ranch, a Mojave Desert oasis, the music mirrors Briggs' experience witnessing the vibrant colors and renewed environment after a desert rain, teeming with new life and positive energy.

The spark is ignited with "Desert Flower," a fusion up-tempo piece with Kit Walker providing his still strong synthesizer and Fender Rhodes chops, an elastic Jaco Pastorius-like bass solo from Ric Fierabracci, and a torched guitar solo from Brian Price as Briggs commandingly works the kit. His drumming covers a broad range, from thundering backbeats to cymbal finesse on the slow-cooked "Tecopa Moon," a piece with thick electronics and a hypnotic pulse.

Like a view of the desert terrain, a closer look reveals variety that might otherwise go unnoticed; a picturesque ballad in "Melonie," neon-lit dance floor persuasions in "Dreams" with its moog-synth bass line, Return To Forever jazz funk-rock on the title piece, and some 'Weather Reporting' on "Furnace Creek," a perfect swirl of electronics and driving beats.

Briggs' writing admirably balances both melody and progressiveness throughout the recording, including the final track "Saints," where Mitchel Forman's piano and keyboards, Gambale's guitar fireworks and the author's own tremendous drumming all converge in harmony.

China Ranch is a solid debut that is consistent and filled with memorable tunes and impressive performances that would appeal to a variety of listeners.

Mark F. Turner - All About Jazz

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On China Ranch, Frank Briggs writes a Return To Forever-esque treatment of ten killer tracks that display strong drumming, Rhodes and synths, guitar and bass soloing. The compositions, inspired by a visit to the family-owned date farm in the Mojave Desert, keep an eye on the jazz-rock fusion tradition pioneered by such influences as Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Pat Metheny and others, while still moving the genre forward.

On "Desert Flower" the solos run the gamut from lush, modern electronics and dramatic harmonies to wide-open solo sections for Kit Walker on Synth and Brian Price on guitar. Briggs' powerful and rhythmic drumming keeps this song musically focused, energetic and shifting freely between the jazz and rock elements.

"Tecopa Moon" may be too hip for the room, as they say, since its laid-back ambience and walking bass lines is an example of how Briggs' arrangement takes an electronic marvel to another level of melodic excellence. The feel shifts from the very beginning and the tempo ranges from Briggs' moderately slow drumming and soundscapes to the lightning fast guitar licks of both Price and Jeff Miley.

The title track, "China Ranch" features twists and turns with surprises and a funky groove that will have both the band and their listeners enjoying themselves through this musical ride. The entire recording is beautifully conceived, expertly crafted and is a must for fans of jazz-rock fusion

Paula Edelstein - All Music Guide

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Strong and melodic. Powerful and introspective. Pure. That pretty much says it all about this album. Frank has covered all the bases with China Ranch. This CD will be appreciated by jazz purists simply for the approach and production and the way in which each piece has been handled with pure artistry. The melodies and traditional-sounding lines found on these various pieces are simply beautiful.

The musicianship is flawless. Why shouldn°t it be? Besides being a world-class drummer, Frank is a gregarious young man. He has enlisted for this project, players that are among the best to be found anywhere. China Ranch is one of those albums that allows the listener the luxury of not having a favorite cut. As you listen to each track you find something very cool about each one that just stays with you. Here is my take on a few of the tunes.

The second selection, °Tecopa Moon° is reminiscent of Billy Cobham's °Spectrum° L.P. I do not mean that from a plageristic standpoint, not at all. It is just the feel and the attitude with which the piece is delivered that invokes mystery and a dark atmosphere. Very cool.

"Melonie" the third track, is produced in a traditional manner, with pure instrumentation. It begins as a serious piano piece that falls into a really hip, romantic swing carried by pianist Steve Weingart. The tandem melody played by guitar and piano is magical. As this piece moves along there is a beautiful bass solo by Ric Fierabracci followed by a perfectly pure guitar solo provided by Brian Price. The interplay throughout this piece is remarkable. This compostion is one that any serious student of music will appreciate both as a listener and as a piece to study.

The title cut, °China Ranch° is a funky one. Heavy and slightly dark with what I would say is a Miles inspired line. Cool vibes and keys. This one is on the other end of the spectrum from the afore-mentioned °Melonie°. I suggest it be played loud.

Okay, I am going to get a bit heady with this one °Spirit Rider° is aptly named for sure. It is a breathy piece that gives the listener a sense of sailing high above the western landscape and taking in all of the majestic beauty below. It comes back to ground with the rhythm section playing a °Frank Zappa-ish° kind of reggae style melodic line over which there is the perfect compliment of fiery guitar solo performed by Mark Doyle.

So bottom line is this °China Ranch contains 10 remarkable instrumental cuts that you have to hear. It takes you to a lot of different places musically and you will enjoy the trip.

Gary Dean Smith, Lone Lee Radio Show (Boulder CO)

Also check out some of Frank's books..here is a favorite
Mel Bay's Complete Modern Drum Set

Most drum CD's sound like a bunch of elevator musicians playing in the background to showcase the drummer. This CD is different. All the musicians seem to click with Frank to make this a solid jazz fusion experience. Plus the track "Dreams" alone is worth the price of the CD!