Customer Reviews

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

 

 

It's hard to imgine why there are not more reviews of this CD. This recording, or, rather, jam session, is a lot of fun. "Fun" is something that seems to be missing in so many recent jazz recordings. The three extraordinary musicians on this CD are obviously at the top of their game and it really seems like they had a lot of fun making this recording. The playful pairing of guitarist Bireli Lagrene and bassist Dominique Di Piazza reminds me of the now vintage Pat Metheny recording Bright Size Life, in which Pat and bass legend Jaco Pastorius play off of each other's compositions on what has now become a classic jazz guitar recording. Front Page has the same vibe. The same playfulness, the same adventurous spirit, and, in some compositions, it even has the feel of something that could have been recorded in the late seventies--- the funky vibe is definitely there. This recording does, however, have a much harder edge to it than Bright Size Life. While Pat Metheny and Bireli Lagrene have vastly different guitar styles, the edgey feel of this CD comes from the "no holds barred" drummming of Dennis Chambers. This is not a bad thing. Where Bright Size Life is light and airy, Front Page is a bustling freeway. In short, Front Page is full of energy, full of life, and a lot of fun.

This album is great- jazz, funk and world music blended; needless to mention Dennis, Birery is great,and I have never heard him in this fashion. Listening to this album, one may feel as if this album is made by Birely, but at the same time one is not able to lose attention from Dennis (you know what I mean). Only a bit of a shame that Dominique does not shine much (shining in only a track something). If someone argues that this is because Dominique is on rhythm role, lets check out The Rite of Strings. It would be a perfect album if the three guys shines equally. However, I think this is a MUST for any jazz collectors.

I have to confess I think fusion reached its zenith with Weather Report's "Birdland." After that fusion came to be about technique rather than the music. Okay, I respect chops as much as anyone, but I like having a memorable tune to go with it.

Front Page is brimming over with melodic fusion. Its okay that the playing is busy for the most part because it sounds great and its memorable. It takes me back to Jeff Lorber Fusion (with Kenny G when he had a last name[Gorelick])and the things that attracted me to this kind of music in the first place. As a drummer I was attracted by Dennis Chambers presence. His speed and verstility are astonishing. A guitar player friend recognized the names of Bireli Lagrene and Dominique Di Piazza with reverence. This CD re-awakened my interest in fusion.

This album absolutely RIPS. Chambers, Bireli and Di Piazza (basically the greatest drummer, guitar player and bass player alive in the world today) got together for 2 days in 2000 and burned non-stop on a great batch of original tunes. Maybe the greatest Chambers drum solo ever is on this album on the tune DBD. Even John McLaughlin guests on the last track, the only time John & Bireli have recorded together. If you like high-energy, spastic apesheet fusion, you cannot go wrong with this album. Buy it!

Front Page in my opinion is really,really good. Putting these three guys together was a good idea. Listening to Dominque De Pizzia is a real pleasure. The Jaco Pastorious influence is more then felt but it is totally in a good way, who doen't like Jaco? He also uses some really cool guitar techniques like a classical guitarist. Bireli the guitarist is awesome! Dennis Chambers needs no hype he's the man. I think this album combines elements of weather report and later John McLaughlin with alot of super fast unison guitar and bass passages. My favorite song on the record is The Eyes of Chirst. The sound the bassist gets on this cut is sheer beauty it also has a nice melody. You will find plenty of chops busting here. Take my advice buy this record!

I first came across this album in my search to find some Cab albums, another band that Dennis Chambers has played in. When I first came across this one, I thought it couldn't be better than Cab. Upon listening to the first song, and I Wait For The Lord, I thought that these guys could be even better (in their own ways of course). These songs are all amazing songs, and refreshing. The composition seems precise, and the solos also very fresh. I find albums like these to be the true meaning of jazz: exciting compositions that'll have you wanting more, and also very satisfied, along with outstanding improvisation. Amazing work!

I bought this primarily because of Dennis Chambers, one of my favorite drummers - and he's outstanding on this jazzy, fusiony, funky little gem. I've never heard of Dominique DiPiazza (sorry!), but he is certainly a very impressive fretless bass player much in the style of Jaco Pastorius or Percy Jones. He really struts his stuff on Chutes Libres and I Wait For The Lord. And though I've heard of Bireli Lagrene before, this is the first time I've owned a cd of his. He frequently plays in the style of Wes Montgomery and Pat Metheny, and contributes some nice songwriting here. Thirteen beautiful and energetic songs covering about 55 minutes. Front Page news indeed!

I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd's rating was based on:

Music quality = 8.6/10; Performance = 10/10; Production = 10/10; CD length = 9/10.

Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 9.2 ("4-1/2 stars")

I'M A OLD SCHOOL FUNK DRUMMER AND I MUST TELL YOU, IF YOU WANT TO HEAR CHAMBERS SMOKE ON THE DRUMS, BUY THIS ONE!

Melodically not interesting or exciting. Virtuosity from top-musicians. Dennis Chambers is for drummers always interesting to listen to. I don't believe that Bireli Lagrene is on his best here; I'll listen to his Django Reinhardt style.