Customer Reviews

Soul Manifesto

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a fantastic album. Rodney Jones' name might be on the cover, but this is a real group effort...and what a group!Lonnie Plaxico on bass and Idris Muhammad on drums nail it all together wonderfully, whether on the up-tempo tracks or the slow ones.Dr. Lonnie Smith hasn't sounded as convincing in some time, and weaves around both Rodney Jones guitar, and the two sax players.He is the anchor for the rest. Jones guitar sound is skillfully tailored for each track. On five of the tracks the sax player is Arthur Blythe, Maceo Parker features on three and on one, "Soul Makossa" they both solo. My favourites are the languid "Soupbone" and the driving "Soul eyes".Both tracks give all the players room to spread out and express themselves. "Groove Bone" starts and finishes the album, and it sounds as though both were part of an extended jam, enjoyed by all. Part 2 clocks in at 11.21. Shortest track, and possibly least effective is the re-reading of Bill Withers "Aint no sunshine".This is a CD to play loud, with the repeat button clicked in. 2001 is proving to be star year for organ driven albums, and this is one of the best. Listen to it soon!

What can I say. This is a fantastic record. Just look at the personnel and you know it can only be slammin. Rodney, Maceo and the gang groove and swing and funk you to death on this one. This record is different from what Rodney has recorded before under his own name but the man knows the funk. He worked with Maceo Parker's band for years and grew up checking out James Brown. Highly reccomended. Deep liner notes too!

I saw Rodney Jones and the Soul Manifesto band live at the knitting factory in LA and this band is AWESOME! After the performance, I bought the CD and it is SMOKIN!

It amazes me how someone can listen to the CD and just NOT GET IT! Some people do not know the difference between frozen food and a gourmet meal...Soul Manifesto is a gourmet meal for the ears! I highly recommend this CD! There's nothing on the market today that can touch it!

Being of a certain age this CD initially takes me back to the "Sweet Soul Music" of my early teens, but it's much more than that. Rodney Jones carries the tradition of his mentors, Green, Montgomery, and Benson forward with jazz built for the heart. The fabulous original material like "Mobius 3", balanced with select standards like "Ain't No Sunshine" and the gorgeous "Soul Eyes" makes this a recording to cherish, and it will never be dated or grow tiring. Seperb. Rodney, this is THE ONE!

I am a jazz fan who prefers some groove with my jazz. I like the music to reach out to me and make me feel good. This CD definitely does that. The vibe of this CD is so deep and so great, you can't help but feel good listening to it. I recommend it highly.

Very smooth and groovy to boot! Maceo Parker and Arthur Blyth lay down some sweet sax into the groove bowl mix, giving a smooth taste of jazz and funk that the stomach digs like dark dog bone hunting. unlike this reviews word choices, I highly recomend this album!!! Perfect for background treats or intense exclusive indulgense. Talented humans making great tunes. ENJOY!

If you like classic soul-jazz/boogaloo from the late 60's & early 70's than you're gonna love this. I am a huge fan of cats like Grant Green, Lou Donaldson, Melvin Sparks, Charles Earland, Reuben Wilson, Big John Patton, Boogaloo Joe,Charles Kynard, LONNIE SMITH, IDRIS MUHAMMAD and I am always lookin' for something new that captures that old school feel. Well this funky platter does that hands down. I have said this before, but anything with Idris Muhammad on it grooves and funks like no other. If you're lookin' for more jazz cats playin' homage to the old school funkmasters check out: The Greyboy Allstars, Galactic, oo Soul, Stanton Moore (solo), Robert Walters 20th Congress, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, MMW,....Keepin' the funk alive and strong!!

Get ready to groove like never before. Rodney Jones is one of the world's best guitarists, and when he teams up with other jazz masters on this recording, the result is nothing short of magic. Unlike Jones' other recordings, which tend to be more mellow and reflective, this one is bursting with energy that makes you want to get up and dance. Still, there are some slower pieces, including a long and gorgeous ballad. If you have any interest at all in funk/jazz music and/or exceptional guitarists, this CD is for you.

First, Let me say that I am a hip-hop artist and I love hip-hop music. A few weeks ago I was in Tower records buying some music and they were playing Rodney's new CD - Soul Manifesto. To say the least, I liked what I heard and bought it! Got home, put it on, pumped up the volume and boy--this CD is BLAZING!!

I'm already looping samples for my next CD! The players; Rodney, Maceo, Idris, Authur, Dr. Lonnie and Lonnie are legends and masters of their own trade and it's great to hear you all doing it up at last!

Rodney, keep on doing what you're doing, because you got it going on son!

I just have to say that this CD is amazing. I don't normally buy jazz and soul music, but a friend of mine recommended this one and said it was "different and better". So I bought it and I'm so glad! I really love the way this music makes me feel. Sometimes it makes me want to get up and dance, and other times it makes me want to relax with a glass of lemonade on the front porch. I was really surprised to see that one of the reviewers below gave this CD only two stars. Let me urge you to just ignore that, because this music is definitely first class and you can tell it's played from the heart from some of the best jazz musicians out there. The guitarist, Rodney Jones, is amazing! I never liked jazz guitar very much but I'm telling you, this stuff is really soulful and "real".

You should do yourself a favor and buy this CD, because it is really excellent! You won't want to take it out of your CD player.