Customer Reviews

Ride

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I highly recommend this album to just about anyone that likes jazz, no matter what kind. This is his best album to date and a perfect one to start on if you're just getting into him. He may look like Kenny G with the hair and all, but there is no question that Boney James is the premiere modern jazz saxophonist right now. Perfect for a background with people over, grooving to by yourself or with that other special person. If you were thinking at all about buying this, I would definitely go ahead and do so.

Heaven - Similar to the style of his album Sweet Thing, the opening track reinforces the almost R&B-esque sound that Boney James has been weaving more and more into his songs. This song annoyed me at first, but it grew on me--the same way the entire album did :: 6/10

Grand Central - This song is a solid groove track, setting the standard for the upbeat songs on the album. Unlike Sweet Thing, Ride displays a much funkier and fun side to Boney James, straying a bit from the make-out theme in his previous recordings :: 8/10

Rpm - Boney James branches out here with a fast-paced dance beat to back him, and it succeeds wonderfully. It is an aptly named track that will have you just grooving to the cd :: 9/10
Something Inside - James slows us back down here to settle back into his traditional laid-back sound. There is nothing old about it though, as he continues to refine and develop his sound, avoiding the boredom and redundancy a lot of artists slip into :: 7/10

So Beautiful - Continuing with the R&B groove and weaving in a funkier background, this has elements of Shake It Up with Rick Braun, and involves some great saxophone work :: 8/10

See What I'm Sayin' - One of the highlights tracks. This is one of my all time favorites and never gets old. Need to lift the mood or just feel like grooving? Turn up the sound system and love it :: 10/10

All About You - It's hard to follow up the pervious track and Boney tries to bring us back down, but by now the vocals have become a little tiring and he does begin to risk repetitiveness here. The lyrics certainly were not inspired and there is a certain lack of melodic development, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with it as a nice background song. But don't turn the volume down just yet... :: 5/10

Ride - Vocals are dominant again with Jaheim, but this recording is the best vocal song on the disc, snapping out of the boredom that was threatening to set in. A retro sound with beautiful harmonies and fun lyrics, you can't but help but feelin' the groove and wishing she (or he) was there to dance with you :: 8/10

As You Are - Though not the last track, this song brings closure with a beautiful lullaby song as only Boney James can do them, reminiscent of The Stars Above from Shake It Up :: 8/10

This Is The Life - And the final track...and the best Boney James song to date. This is my favorite song, period, at the moment. Like in Sweet Thing's closing track Ivory Coast, James reaches out for a carribbean sound, and comes up with this jewel that'll have you wanting to dance every time it comes on. The steel pans are simply awesome, and a grooving melody and inspired solos...well, I can't describe how awesome this song is. Make sure to have your volume up in the beginning to catch the little laugh and steel pan opening :: 11/10

Bonus Track - A much appreciated and funky offering, especially after the last song...

I'm a huge Boney fan, I've seen him many times has come to the SF Bay Area to perform, I love his music. I love smooth Jazz of the type that I usually get from Boney and others of this genre, however with "Ride", he seems to be riding a little away from smooth jazz and more into R&B/Soul, I'm down with R&B , some funk and little Hip Hop, but I when I seek smooth Jazz I seek out Boney, with this CD I can't, while some of the songs are pleasing, with great beats, singing and funky, his Tenor saxophone is more like background music in this composition. It's his unique style of playing that makes him great, and he should never overshadowed by anyone on his CD like he is with Ride.

Boney James is awesome. I like the artists he chose to collaborate with on this album. I bought this years ago but still find it soothing and refreshing now as I commute to and from work.
#5 So Beautiful has been my all time ultimate ballad...the crescendos, the soothing, the rhythms....BEAUTIFUL as the title indicates.

This is a fantastic album if you are not a "jazz purist" and are open to smooth jazz with an R&B/Hip Hop flavor. That said, I bought this CD 2 years ago and have not tired of it yet. Each song brings something to this release. The songs with the vocal tracks (especially "Something Inside" and "Ride") are really enjoyable. You can feel the emotion expressed in the cut "So Beautiful", and "This Is The Life" transports the listener to the Carribean. This is definitely a CD for your collection - if you are not limited in your musical tastes.

The music in this CD is Boney's most creative work to date. There is enough diversity in this CD to not only keep Boney's existing fans happy but to also bring in a new generation of listeners. There is still that seductive sultry soul sound of Boney's saxophone in every song combined with a little R&B magic from some very soulful R&B singers like Dave Hollister on "Something Inside" Trina Broussard on "Heaven" and Jaheim on the title song "RIDE." There is also a hidden track on this CD called "BONEYARD" which is a delightful surprise and a Boney classic. If you have all of Boney's other CD's, you've got to have this one too. If you don't, what are you waiting for? You're missing out on something really special.

I an a HUGE fan of Boney James. His music has a great beat, and the excellent choice of instruments make listening to his music while cruising Connecticut's Merritt Parkway a favorite pasttime. HOWEVER, I am disappointed with this album. I really enjoy the instrumental music. The persistant vocals in this album distract from otherwise good music ("All About You" and "Beautiful"). A couple tracks are stagnant - not typical of Boney James' work ("Somethg Inside"). I will applaud his efforts in "Grand Central" and the last track "Untitled" which I enjoyed. I am unable to replace my favorite album - Sweet Thing.

This is a great jazz album for those to enjoy who can appreciate modern jazz with a variety of influences, including hip hop and R&B. James pulls it off here with Ride. Standout tracks include Heaven, Grand Central (my personal favorite) and RPM. He has managed to unite devoted jazz listeners and urban audiences across North America, proving that music like his transcends all boundaries. All of his albums are full of his self-penned classics and anyone who craves jazz with an urban feel to it will enjoy this album from start to finish.

I know I'm late evaluating this CD and it's been out for over a year now, but it's still worth a review in my book! I've been a huge fan of Boney James now for over 10 years and I've collected all of his albums. I've even had the pleasure of watching him in concert here in Syracuse back in 1998. So it's a no brainier to purchase his latest album, "Ride".

Right off the bat I noticed something different about this CD from past releases. There are 3 vocals that I have to tell you are good, but don't give me a buzz like in his previous albums. "Heaven" with Trina Broussard is listenable. "Something Inside" with Dave Hollister however does not do this CD justice. Maybe he should have left it for another album. The rest of the CD is flawless, vintage Boneyism! I love "Grand Central" and "RPM". With that said, Ride certainly is one you can take.

This is vintage Boney. He gets you hopping with tracks like, RPM and See What I'm Sayin' and then just chills with So Beautiful. He does a bit more R&B here but overall it is a decent record.

I have been hearing this song on the radio only for a few weeks here is Los Angeles and I love it. I believe that his talent reaches all listening audiences. This is the beauty Boney James brings to jazz/music. When I heard his rendition of "Sweet Thing" I've listened to Jazz (Especially ContemporarY)ever since. I am a music lover - so I listen to all kinds of music. I am a Boney James fan for life - so what ever he decides to do I will support. I love jazz with vocals - he should continue to play with a variety of aritists - this is the beauty of art - there are no boudaries. Ride is a reallllll FUNKY song and I love Jaheim as well - this is a great collaboration! Great work Boney! Keep it up! Latisha in Los Angeles