Class Axe

Ragan Whiteside

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Randis Music
• ASIN: B000SH3X5E
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,263 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Introduction

2. Funktuation

3. Gonna Fly

4. So Glad

5. Always There For Me (Interlude)

6. In Love

7. How Do You Know

8. Options

9. I've Been Thinking (Interlude)

10. 3 AM

11. Break Me Down

12. Call Me

13. Meu Amigo, Meu Amante

14. Funktuation-Reprise

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sexy, elegant, and undeniably funky, Ragan's ultra hip take on contemporary jazz is irresistible..." --Rafe Gomez "The Groove Boutique", CD101.9FM NY

Review

"She not only has THE silkiest and seetest flute tone in the business, but her tenacity and desire to be recognized in Urban, New-Soul AND Smooth Jazz genres makes her a musical force to be reckoned with!! Mark my words!" --Bob Baldwin-Grammy Nominated Arranger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Class Act, March 20, 2008

By	Sherman L. Dantzler "JazzeOne Production" (Grand Blanc, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ragan Whiteside is songwriter, vocalist and outstanding flautist from Mount Vernon, NY. "Class Axe" showcases all of these special talents. In 2006 she won the Capital Jazz challenge utilizing all three of these abilities to impress the audience. You will feel the mellow side of her talented voice on the likes of `So Glad', 'Break Me Down', and 'How Do You Know', and we get a taste of R & B on `Call Me'.

Dennis Johnson with his vocal help and Bob Baldwin with his instrumental assistance combine together to produce this project and their influence becomes evident as the CD is masterfully done. Ragan's skills on flute reminds me of a modern day Bobbi Humphrey. She provides a smooth mellow flow on `Gonna Fly', and `3 AM'.

As a songwriter extraordinaire before this collaboration she now brings her musical skill sets all together with a unique form of class. A funky side develops with 'Funktuation' just to give us a break from the mellow madness.

This CD has the potential to bring the flute back into the mainstream jazz, as it was so many years ago via Herbie Mann, David Valentine, Humphrey and Yusef Lateef to name a few. Sit back and enjoy this class act from the multi-talented Ragan Whiteside. ~the JazzeOne

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific beginning, August 8, 2008

By	Phil Kasiecki - See all my reviews

This debut CD is a great start for a woman who won the 2006 Capital Jazz Challenge, which was probably her coming-out party. This CD is a great listen from start to finish.

Throughout, it has a mellow feel even on the up-tempo tracks like "Meu Amigo, Meu Amante". "Funktuation" was the song that had a lot of buzz at first, but it's not even the best one on here; that distinction, for this listener, goes to "Gonna Fly". "So Glad" is one of several songs whose lyrics are top-notch, as is "How Do You Know". For good measure, two interludes during the CD are well-done, with "I've Been Thinking" being a very thoughtful one.

This CD is enjoyable, and it has me looking forward to future releases from her.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new Queen of Neo Soul and Jazz!!, February 5, 2009

By	Gregory Townes "Author of The Tribe" - See all my reviews

Remember Najee and Kenny G? Well, Ms. Ragan Whiteside ranks right up there with them. Smooth and provocative music made to soothe and heat the soul like warmed cognac on a chilly evening. I really enjoyed this CD and Ms. Whiteside has a tremendous talent that I look forward to hearing a lot more of.