Customer Reviews

Roll On

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me say I have all of Four80East's albums and I was excited about getting this one, but the excitement faded rapidly after a couple of listens.

Well, it was bound to happen - a group can't always be churning out "A" material. Just looking at the cover, I thought I was going to get some retro-70's-bass-driven-quasi-disco-groove-funk -- and there is some of that, but not nearly enough.

What is odd about this album is there is one tune that irritates the hell out of me. "After All This Time" (track #6) has a great tune and beat but it's totally ruined by this breathy repeating trilling flute that once my ears focus on it -- the only thing I can think of is grabbing this annoying woodwind and beating the life out of it.

Most of the tracks are so-so. A couple are above average ("Back in Five", "While the City Sleeps"), but still not what I had come to expect.

If this is your first Fou80East purchase, I suggest you go with "Nocturnal", "The Album" or "EnRoute" -- in that order. "Round 3" next and last -- "Roll On."

Like many other fans I chanced upon this group listening on our local smooth jazz outlet. I caught a radio show airing the complete "Nocturnal" album soon after its debut in 2000. I was hooked, and I've purchased each new Four80East offering as it's become available.

I agree with a previous reviewer in that the first track seems out of place among the others, but only in respect to the musical mood it creates. It's playful as opposed to the much more serious aspect of the other nine selections. Nevertheless, it's enjoyable, with a bouncy 70's Kool & the Gang feel suggested by the album cover art. The second track "Loosey Goosey" appears to tell the listener, enough fun & games, time to buckle down and get to work to a funky-cool walking bass line. The third track has a bit of a "live" feel to it initially with an audience clapping and cheering while the song gets underway. Any fan of Level 42's early music will truly enjoy this song; along with Nocturnal's "On the Strip" and En Route's title track, it could have been lifted whole and breathing from an early 80's Level 42 session. "Just Passing Through" is a straight-out chill piece, laid-back, ultra-smooth and relaxing, with a touch of vintage Crusaders. "Shot in the Dark" cranks it up a bit with a gutsier, grittier sound. For some reason this song reminds me of an urban remake of "Starsky & Hutch" as it were, which could star Laurence Fishburn and Wesley Snipes as the kick-ass detectives (and Cedric the Entertainer as Huggy Bear). "After All This Time" is a great road tune, an attribute of much of Four80East's music, and segues well into "Race to the Moon", hands-down the hippest song on the album. This song would make a great soundtrack to an in-car camera during a full-bore race around Daytona Speedway, with a relentless driving bass beat. I dare anyone to listen to this song and not end up tapping their feet or fingers. "While the City Sleeps" slows things back down a bit, a very aptly named song, perfect for listening to at night, with the top down, driving home from a night out, complete with a minor-key bridge 2/3 of the way through the song symbolizing apprehension as you spot a patrol car racing up behind you, lights flashing, followed by relief as he speeds by after someone else. "Never the Same Way Twice" builds a bit slow, and raises the adrenaline once more with a fast-paced effort, as if you've just realized you have one hour instead of three to get to the airport, and the frantic rush through traffic that ensues. The album concludes with "Back in 5", a prototypical Four80East slick and polished recording, quite evocative of "Ocean's 11" soundtrack music.

I'm no musical expert, but I do believe that one purpose of music is to allow listeners to form mental images of what they feel the music represents, much like the words an author uses in a book are designed to create a particular setting or situation or character development. Four80East has an addictively listenable sound, creating the aural equivalent of beta endorphins to their growing circle of aficionados.

One last item - this is not a paid suggestion, but I would recommend that if possible, download the mp3 version of this album. It costs less, there's no wait for mail, no shipping costs, and downloaded songs are crisp and clean and easily burnable onto a blank CD.

Let me just say, I love four80east. Easily my favourite band. I started with largely downbeat album Nocturnal, and moved on to their other offerings. Naturally, I had to pick up the latest CD to add to my collection.

Now usually f80e plays music you can crank very loud . . . and that tradition largely continues here . . . except the first song. The first song is, uh, a little too "happy" I guess. Not a real interesting groove, way too bright and hard to listen to loud. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed . . . but not for long.

Loosey Goosey squashed any misgivings I had about the album . . . solid bass line, sweet sounding organ, what's not to love!

I'd love to say it was all golden from there, but Shot in the Dark really irritated me. I don't know if it was the loud "spike" in sound and regular intervals (the "shot," no doubt), or the cheesy sounding (Keyboard?) effects at the start, but it's not that great . . .

Once again, though, after one I didn't like, came one I liked, After All This Time is a good track that somewhat reminded me of the Nocturnal album.

Toward the end is where this album is really great though . . . through track 7 I really liked a couple, and didn't like a couple, with a few in the middle . . .

Track 8, "While the City Sleeps" is excellent. This made the album worth purchasing all by itself. If you're buying just single songs, you need to buy this one. The piano solo towards the middle sounds flat out amazing. Too bad this one isn't the one that plays on the radio. I think it'd make a better impression.

Track 9 is alright (intro is a little long, but it builds up nicely)

and Track 10 is another standout. On first listen this was my favourite track. I've come to like track 8 better now, but that's not because this is a poor track. (8 is just that amazing) Word of warning: you need a solid sub to enjoy this song. Without one, it'll doubtless sound like crap (likely to distort/blow speakers) . . . but with one it's among the sweetest sounding songs I've heard in a long time . . . or at least since track 8.

Keep up the good work four80east!

The baddest techno-funk-jazz-dance band around - Four80East - is back with their fifth and best CD to date. "Roll On" picks up just where their last offering "En Route" left off. In fact, they could have titled this CD "En Route II" because the two albums are very similar in style and content, except that "Roll On" takes it to a much higher level.

Four80East's sound is always unique and captivating and appeals to fans from all over the music spectrum. If you're into house music, you'll dig the title track which gets the groove "rolling" with a strong steady house beat and funky gut-plucking bass riffs. "One Night Only" is a nice dance track, while "Never The Same Way Twice" has a retro/house sound. If you like jazz, you'll love "Just Passing Through" with the soprano sax, muted trumpet and syncopated beats. For the techno-heads, check out "Shot In The Dark" and "Race The Moon". For easy listening and chillaxing, there's "After All This Time", "While The City Sleeps" and "Back In 5". "Loosey Goosey" gives you that down-home Memphis vibe with gritty guitar licks, cool tenor sax and groovy organ (reminds you of Booker T. & the MG's).

There are no best tracks here; however I am compelled to hit the repeat button on "Loosey Goosey", "Just Passing Through" and "While The City Sleeps". "Roll On" is just great music no matter how you slice it. If you're new to Four80East, here's a great place to start, then work your way backwards to their previous albums. If you're already a fan, then you know exactly what I'm talkin' `bout. This music will captivate you in ways you never imagined. Roll On!

Take the funk of Herbie Hancock's "Headhunters", & mix it with the creativity of "Weather Report", & this is what you get. Four80East are two Canadian musicians who have taken the smooth jazz world by storm. Now they are back with their latest release "Roll On", & I must say that it is a winner from start to finish. The cover of the album says it all. A CD full of funky, jazzy hooks, borderling on 70's inspiration within the music. The tracks "One Night Only" & "Just Passing Through" have a "Lonnie Liston Smith" vibe for those of you who are fimiliar with his work, especially with the soprano sax playing of sideman Jon Stewart. Beginning with the funk of the title track, the album never lets up on the groove. All of Four80East's CD's are worthy to be added in your music library, & in my opinion, I feel that the group had really shined on this one. And for those of you who are not fimiliar with these guys, "Roll On" is definetely a great place to start with this legendary group. The music on this album transcends all the predictability & boredom that so-called "smooth jazz" has unfortunately been tagged with. Great CD to listen to in your car when you're headed to a party, or on a long road trip!

I'll be brief. I am a huge Four80 East fan. This band is what every band should hope to achieve. I'd give this CD 10 stars if I could. I love every song. How any Four80 East fan could be disappointed in anyway with this CD is beyond me. I've had the CD since it was released and it is still in my 10 CD jukebox changer. I sent a copy to my sister and she called and wanted to know why our band changed our name when we released our 4th CD. I was flattered to say the least. I wish we sounded as good as these guys. Well, I've gone on for too long. This is a GREAT CD!

I was really shopping for some new sounds on amazon,when i stumble on four 80 east.These guys are everything,creative,new and very versitile,which is what iam looking for.And in thinking back ,Four 80 East remind me of the duo of Chili Manuchi,and George Ginda,the group Special EFX,only Four 80 East in my opinion is a little more jazzier.My latest purches was Roll ON and En Route also i plan to get "The Album"so i will be rollin with "Four 80 East"

They are as good live as they are in the studio but each new project sounds better than the one before. Can't wait to see them do this material live.

I discovered I liked smooth jazz from listening to the jazz on the Weather Channel and then on some Christmas Cd's (the Peanuts CD). I'm a classic rocker all my life, but now I've discovered new music and it's so exciting. Four80East is exactly what I love, no singing, just groovy beats and fantastic, interesting rhythms.

I've bought the last 2 cd's of Four80East so far, but will buy all of them.

My question now is: what other groups or cd's should I buy that are similar to this music?

Thank you!

I first heard some of the CD on Comcast music. I liked it so went to Amazon to sample a little more. Needless to say, I bought it and truly enjoy the smooth yet funky sound. I think most people who enjoy smooth jazz will like this CD.