Customer Reviews

Dont It Feel Good

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like the tune "Sun Goddess"? That soul-jazz classic fronted by Maurice White and the Earth,Wind & Fire boys and brought to market on the fingers of legendary jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis literally revived Lewis' career in the mid-1970s. And "Don't It Feel Good" - long unavailable on CD, is something of the second act in the EWF-influenced period of Ramsey's career, and was produced by Charles Stepney, the same man behind EWF's classic albums "Open Our Eyes", "That's the Way of the World" and "Spirit".

Don't expect anything like Ramsey's work in Urban Knights or the "Hang On Sloopy" cover period of the '60s (when Maurice White worked as a drummer in Ramsey's band). This CD is a mix of funky humorous (but almost throwaway) tunes like "Fish Bite" and "Spiderman" coupled with a number of lovely ballads, some tasty group vocals and mostly keyboard noodling by Ramsey.

All in all, it was no ground-breaker, but arrangements are slick and the bulk of the tracks are pleasant, catchy tunes. A highlight is Ramsey's cover of "That's the Way of the World".

Worth buying if you're a '70s funk-jazz aficionado. Even if this is arguably a low point of Ramsey's long (over 80 albums!) career, the man was a class act then, as he is today. On that basis - four stars (but clearly NOT for everybody...do listen to the samples).

It only took thirty years, but it was well worth the wait for the re-release of this album. In conjunction with Sun Goddess and Gratitude, these recordings will teleport you back to the kinder, gentler time that was the mid '70's!! Still fresh, still funky...all Ramsey--yes, it feels good!

Favorite cuts:

Don't It Feel Good

Juaacklyn

Something About You

I Dig You

That's The Way of the World

I fell in love with the music on this CD 30 years ago. Approximately 15 years later, I purchased a used Album to replace my very scratched one. Although it has been over 30 years since its release, the wait has not been in vain. If you liked or own Sun Goddess, this would be a great CD to add, just for the smooth vibes alone. Not only does "Don't It Feel Good" offer smooth jazz, it has some funk as well. It is very reminiscent of the Jazz of the 70s. When I saw that Amazon was offering "Don't It Feel Good" on CD, I did not hesitate to purchase a copy. Kudos to Amazon for offering this CD. It is one of all-time favorites!

A friend of mine turned me on to this album back in the 70's. I loved it at first sound. The versitility of the man is astoundding. Ballads, funk,techno allon one album. Purchase, listen, and judge for yourself. Share it, and those who hear it will want it, too!

It's very likely this is the first Ramsey Lewis album I had any familarity with. It wasn't until the Wounded Bird label reissued it did I realize what a relative rarity it was. It always had a proud place in the family record collection and was played often. That sense of history helps me also realize it's place in Ramsey's own history as well. After all,following up an album as hugely successful as Sun Goddess was not exactly any easy task. All the same he's got every ingredient to make that happen and he does AND with plenty of newfound moxy to burn. EWF have officially hit their stride at this point and Ramsey is benifiting on every level. True there was always a cross influence between the two likely due to the past association between Ramsey and Maurice White. But even still the mid 70's found both of them being the most successful with the funkier ends of their sounds.

Needless to say this albums biggest strenghs lay in it's funk. The opening title with it's chunky guitar riff and fender rhodes/moog bass textures is likely the strongest examples of melodic "united funk",especially when the "don't it feel good Ramsey" chant comes in. Overall this is a far glossier album than either it's predecessor or Funky Serenity. That's especially true on the otherworldly sounding echoplex/reverb crazy ballad "Juaacklyn" as well as the more melodic midtempo jams "Something About You" and "I Dig You". Again the funk always wins out especially with the amazing 70's synth funk explosion of "What's The Name Of This Funk (Spider Man)"-Moogs and ARP's just fly out in every direction on this cosmic production. Ditto for "Fish Bite",which continues in the same direction with a sly double entendre and some very tribal sounding vocal whoops. "Can't Function" closes the album on a heavier bass/guitar based blues-funk level.

Their version of "That's The Way Of The World" actually removes the heavier production gloss of EWF's for a sound that emphasizes the melody and the rhythm more-a good touch to it actually. Overall this stands as one of Ramsey Lewis's most thoroughly soulful,funky and even albums of the 70's. While it was a period of high quality musically for Ramsey Lewis,especially with this band it was still somewhat hit or miss even within an album. In this case that never happens. EVERY song,regardless of tempo or musical ethic is strong and in the groove. And at least on my end this is very likely a candidate for the most consistant full lengh original Ramsey Lewis album of the 1970's. And that quality makes me wonder why it was unavailable on CD for so many years. At any rate it comes very very highly recommended for sincere lovers of the genre of strong,melodic mid 70's electronic jazz-funk.

As a longtime Ramsey Lewis fan, I fail to see evidence of this album being the "LOWPOINT" of his storied career.It has wonderful jazz mixed with a dash of funk,of which Earth Wind & Fire plays a central part again. Spiderman was one of the ultimate party cuts when I was in college, and the title cut,Juckalyn,and I Dig You are first rate in my opinion. I feel that this album should rank as one of the better efforts by one of the all-time greatest keyboardists.I purchased it as soon as it became available.

I smile and laugh to myself every time I listen to this CD since it was popular when I was in my 20's and reminds me of someone I had a silly crush on. The songs included range from Funk to Smooth Jazz and I enjoy listening to it as I work in my studio. You have to be a person who's open to a variety of music to appreciate this, so if your a "straight jazz/purist" type with no sense of humor...don't bother.

i have been looking for this album for 34 years,it came out my freshman year in high school and i remember every song was great and couldn't stop playing the album.this is a must cd if you love great jazz.

Don't It Feel Good is a great CD to have in your collection. The CD was a goog copy.