Customer Reviews

Flipside

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Picture the scene - it's a cold, wet and windy day here in the UK and I'm really down. There's a knock at the door... UPS delivery and this Masterpiece arrives. I've had this pre-ordered for 2 months now and counted the days off - well let me tell you it was worth waiting for...
The usual Lorber crew are all here - Co-production by Steven Dubin, Lenny Castro on percussion, John Roberts on drums, Alex Al on bass (only 2 tracks though,) Gary Meek on flute and saxes. You also get appearances from David Mann, Paul Jackson, JR & Robbie Nevill. New name to me Nelson Jackson also features on keys and songwriting duties. That's where the usual stops because this CD is just so superior to anything that has gone before....
You get 10 tracks of pure genius, the instrumentation and clarity of production is out of this world. This CD isn't as immediate as Jeff's previous outings and that's a good thing in my opinion because you are forced to listen and that's when you discover the magic.......
We start off with the current single "Ooh La La" which is a midtempo showcase for Lorber and Castro's great percussive sound.
Next the uptempo "Everybody Knows That" - really heavy bass sound and nice sax/piano combination on the chorus section.
"By my side" is fast becoming my favourite track - its just a beautiful song along the lines of "When she smiles" (Philly Style) and features Cello fills which make the tune.
"Flipside" is a remake? of "Uncle Darrows" (Philly Style) but with a real funky bass line and 70s sounding horn section
"Santa Monica Triangle" - has a skipping, almost Ska like beat with Lorber playing rhodes over it. Great guitar and rhodes combination in places.
"Sun Ra" is a reggae inspired tune which is again heavy on the bass and a real joyful driving song
"Angel in Paris" is slow to mid tempo and features that Cello again with subtle trumpet from Ron King - beautiful.
"Bombay Cafe" is another mid tempo workout featuring Meek & Mann on Saxes. Great trumpet also combining superbly with Lorber's piano.
"Tune 88" is a remake of the old classic but done in a very accoustic style - only Lorber on piano with Alex Al and Castro completing the line up. It's almost like a studio after hours jam and is a real departure from the furious tempo of the much sampled original tune.
"Enchanted Way" closes the set and is a 70s influenced piece of Jazz Funk - Meek & Mann on saxes.

Need I say anymore? - Lorber has raised the bar and set the standard again for the rest of the Jazz field to follow. I can't see this CD being bettered by anyone for some time.

For those already familiar with previous Jeff Lorber releases, there are no disappointments here. For those less familiar with Jeff Lorber's career, he is one of the true pioneers of what is now referred to as contemporary jazz. In his music you will find a melding of jazz, blues, funk, R&B, world music, etc. wrapped around piano-driven melodies that keep your head-bobbing and your foot tapping to the beat.

On Flipside, the groove is still as tight as ever and Jeff's chops on the acoustic and Wurlitzer pianos are instantly recognizable. As I have come to expect, the rythm section and guest artists on this album give stellar performances. Lorber even rekindles Tune 88 from Water Sign (1980)which is the album that introduced me to the magic of Jeff Lorber. This song is still a pleasure to listen to 26 years later. This is a great album and you definitely won't be sorry you added it to your collection.

This CD is so funky, rare and fresh. It's my first Jeff Lorber CD although I've been listening to Jazz since I was 13. The music in this collection is new, light, and simply carries you into an alternate universe of joy and light hearted funk. What an amazing addition to anyone's listening experience. I siimply love it!!

Jeff Lorber has done it again with the release of "Flipside". Every track on the CD is made for highway or city driving and it gets you into the groove. The instrumentation on this CD is superb as well. Track 2 (Everybody Knows That) and Track 8 (Bombay Cafe) are the tracks that really stand out! This whole CD is a work of art. Mr. Lorber keep up to good work!

It is a very rare occurence to come upon a CD that truly awakens your senses to what real music is, real c jazz. Jeff Lorber shows such wonderful versatility in his style. By far the cut entitled, "By my side" is my favotite. It's a total work of art and I recommend it 100 percent.

I have followed Jeff Lorber's career for as long as I can remember and I have almost every Jeff Lorber Cd. This by far is the best! It's sultry and soulful and Each track from start to finish blends beautifully. My personal favorite.... Enchanted Way! I can't stop listening to it. I love the beat and I find myself dancing to it nonstop.
This is an excellent Cd and I highly recommend it to anyone. Special shoutout to my nephews who gave me this cd as a christmas gift! Way to go Joshua and Geoffrey!!!!!!!

Jeff Lorber has achieved that coveted pinnacle so hard to climb and inaccessible for most of smooth jazz musicians. Jeff combines freshness, originality, flair and inspired melodic vein in every single track. There is no any minor piece; every one of them in its own way has a special taste. The magnificent arrangements, the presence of Lenny Castro in the percussion and congas, John Roberts in drums, Gary meek flute, Eric Watt guitar Steven Dubin, Nelson Jackson, David Mann and the min star Jeff Lorber make of this album one of the top ten smooth jazz albums of 2005, without restrictions of any sort.

So given these circumstances, the rest of the previous comments how can you fail acquiring this excellent CD ?

Buy it as soon as possible before it is too late.

If you are familiar with Jeff Lorber, you know that he is truly one gifted artist....this guy always keeps the new music coming fresh, funky, melodic, and never boring! All of the tracks on Flipside are great, my favorites being Tune 88 and Bombay Cafe....truly a must have for your smooth jazz collection! You'll love it!

I just received Jeff Lobers "Flipside" and saxophonist Joe Johnson's "Life of the Party" and Both of these CDs are really slick!!!! I'm crazy about the opening track on "Flipside" and I think this is one of Jeffs best works. Johnsons "Life of the Party" in my opinion is as good (if not better) than any of the smooth sax stuff out right now. Somebody needs to book these to guys together on tour because their CD's are out of sight!!!!!

I would have expected more from Jeff Lorber. He sure can play, and yes, there is a certain catchy quality to his tunes, and yet and still...... something is missing. Maybe a little more variety, a bit more tempo...? All in all, this album is the musical equivalent of a nice, satisfying meal but not out-of-this-world gourmet food.