Special Album

Ralph Myerz, Ralph Myerz & the Jack Herren Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Emperor Norton
• ASIN: B00008S0W4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,567 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Here Is Love

2. Nikita

3. Casino

4. Think Twice

5. You Never Come Closer

6. A Special Morning

7. Funky Biznizz

8. Feel It

9. Savannah

10. Lullaby

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Norway’s Ralph Myerz follows up the buzz-heavy A Special EP with this full-length effort, a rather weightless yet pleasing mix of good-natured cheese and sunny downtempo. With a light trip-hop touch, Myerz draws from artists like Bent and Gus Gus while incorporating elements of dub and astral jazz. Some songs have a Martin Denny-esque exotica quality about them, like "Casino," but the record plays it straight most of the time, infusing mellow electronics with dreamy reverb and throbbing bass tones. The silky tones of the title track, for instance, create a sexed-up ambience ideal for late nights and candlelight. Myerz’s experiments do go occasionally awry; the retro-funk of "Funky Bizness" goes nowhere. Nevertheless, A Special Album promises great things in the future with its airy, off-kilter sensibilities. --Matthew Cooke

Product Description

This is the future of downtempo. No samples, just blissful breaks and odd beats performed with grandeur by one of the most inspired live acts around. This is Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band. The Norwegian group's debut A Special EP included the chill

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you can't see these chaps live, then at least get this!, August 7, 2003

By 

T. Hagland (Costa Mesa, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Special Album (Audio CD)

Ralph Myerz and The Jack Herren Band is a live band first and foremost. In fact that is how they got started. Ralph Myerz is a DJ based in Bergen and was doing a live gig at a festival and asked two friends (percussions and drums) to join him. This is the result of that event. They've recently been touring with a 4th member on guitar/bass and my instincts tell me he will be joining soon. So a DJ doing all the master track electro stuff, one guy (I'd like to call him animal, from the muppet show) on percussion and one on drums. With the occasional guitar/bass player. It's a lovely blend of electronica/jazz/rock/downtempo, extremely refreshing. And features a very catchy tune called Think Twice I can't stop listening to. Norwegian TV has an hour live from the Quart festival hosted online, you ought to check it out, they put on a heck of a live show. If not by this album it is fantastic!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A SPECIAL ALBUM" WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!, March 29, 2004

By 

Darrell L. Lee "dlatrell" (Jackson, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Special Album (Audio CD)

I absolutely loooove this album!!! From the funky acid jazz on "Think Twice," to the 60s retro go-go of "Casino," to the bohemian soul of "You Never Come Closer" to the reggae sounds of "Savannah", Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herrin Band have truly created "A Special Album" for me. The boys from Norway really know how to jam and, oh, do they jam well, and in most cases--hard!! Every song on here is action-packed and original in sound and design. With actual instrumentation and a playful feel to the entire album, Ralph and the boys are sure to be the hit at every party!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a special album, August 28, 2003

By 

Nathan Garrett (Santa Rosa, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Special Album (Audio CD)

A flash back to the 4x4 disco beats, blasting work on the skins mixed with trance samples and touching manipulation of the organ,brings this album to the surface. Truly I must say I have not been this leveled in quite a spell.
The organ work really comes alive on "Think Twice". Ray Charles may never have sounded this trendy, but the oragan work on this club-like anthem is sweet.
Ralph Myerz and the Jack Harren Band have a lot to live up to for the sequel.