Rites of Summer

Spyro Gyra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B0000001UP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,279 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An almost good record marred by marketing desire, May 22, 2002

By 

Scott Woods (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rites of Summer (Audio CD)

This is the last record of their's that was worth a darn. After this album blew up, the band went way too comercial and soft around the edges, with only glimmers of past excellence (which was always a little shaky more times than not). This record is about a 50% hit, and you may find yourself struggling to figure out why they didn't keep nailing away at that wack 50% to make a classic record. They had the ability, the clout and the studio push to make it happen, but they just droped the ball here for media attention and money. When you listen to powerful, driving, edgy stuff like (#1) "Claire's Dream", (#6) "No Man's Land" and the winding, devilishly clever (#9) "Captain Karma", and then listen to horrendously canned radio tripe like (#2) "Daddy's Got a New Girl Now", (#4) "Shanghai Gumbo", you can't help but scratch your head and want to drive over to Kenny G's house and bash him with his sax for making every contemporary jazz band chase after his "Songbird" success.

A pretty good record despite the few clunkers - probably their most consistent to date - and a nice staple of smooth jazz before it got too smooth for its own good.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A review of Spyro Gyra's Rites Of Summer., June 10, 2003

By 

James Houser (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rites of Summer (Audio CD)

Rites Of Summer is a terrifically well-done album by Spyro Gyra. It was released in 1988. They had fantastic songs back then. This cd is definetly one of their best. It would rank up in my top 5 personal favorites. It conveys very good songs and melodies that are just extraordinary.

It is a challenging decision on voting for my top 3 favorite cuts from this record, but here they are. Tracks 3,5, and 6. Limelight is a terrific piece with various good solos. Innocent Soul is a moving, mellow song with an awesome piano part. Tom put effort into this one. No Man's Land is a good song with good beat and has a superb introduction. Jeremy Wall produced a lot of good songs during the late 80's.

To condense, this cd is one of their best, undoutebly. Every track on here is great listening and good 80's Spyro Gyra. It is definetly worth it to buy it. You will have a great time listening to it, just like me. Thank you for taking the time and generosity to read my review.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars whoooo haaaaa!, May 11, 2000

By 

"ice--man" (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rites of Summer (Audio CD)

Spyro Gyra just have to be in my opinion, the greatest jazz group of all time (within the smooth jazz style).This is my favouite Spyro Gyra cd, and the only one that comes close to it is FastForeward. It is the most beautiful album I have and is like a Monet painting. Jay Beckenstein really shines on this album, as well as the bass. Innocent soul is the most moving song on the album, and has soooo much feeling behind it that the song really comes out of your speakers to slap you in your face. Yosemite is also one hell of a song, with very prominent bass, making it a wonderful song.