Ron James

RON JAMES
SIMPLE
www.ronjamesmusic.com

Ron is a most competent saxophone performer of gentle, evergreen, inspirational hymns penned on both sides of the Atlantic. Recorded in Atlanta, Georgia – this is a tenderly crafted, bluesy Afro-American sax artist who deserves to garner much attention, inside and outside his home country. One could rave about this type of collection as it is rare and begs scoring with some of the greats of the sax genre. His stance is more church than honky-tonk. Clearly, with this quality session he sounds like he has paid his dues. This inspirational material is direct-and-honest packaged musically in contemporary laid-back jazz styling. Ron James comes unknown to me but should gain quite a foothold in his Southern homeland and expand globally. It is obvious that this uncomplicated Gospel album - produced by Derrieuax Edgecombe (described as Ron’s personal Quincy Jones)- has been a labor-of-love. Modestly packaged in artwork terms, this album will not highlight itself as an album worth searching-out. It may be difficult to track down, but an web search should provide you with all the information you need. PAUL DAVIS www.pauldavisauthor.com www.newchristianmusic.co.uk www.ncmradioshow.com www.ukcma.org
- Paul Davis - New Christian Music

CD Review: Ron James

I Feel Ya, the debut LP from saxophonist Ron James, is a melodic mixture of contemporary jazz, blues and inspirational music with funky rhythmic undertones. An accomplished saxophonist, Ron James has worked with many music and recording industry greats. Ron is currently featured on RS2 by Rhonda Smith, All Day by William Murphy, Spirit & Truth by New Birth Total Praise Choir and The Best of Ann Nesby Live.

Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Ron’s commitment to excellence has created a massive demand for his musical services and has afforded him the distinct privilege and honor of sharing the stage with Phil Perry, Jill Scott, Anne Nesby, Tramaine Hawkins, Richard Smallwood, Kevin Bond, Frank McComb, Mike Phillips, PJ Morton, Chris Cauley and Dionne Farris.

James recently wowed the audience at Newsmakers Live! and continues to tour throughout the U.S.

For more information, please visit www.ronjamesonline.com

“Close your eyes and see the music.”

- The Atlanta Voice

For the second time in a week Smooth Jazz Therapy is able to report on a fresh new release from an Atlanta based sax man. This time it’s the turn of Ron James who’s debut CD ‘I Feel Ya’ is out today. Originally from Brooklyn NY and raised in Miami FL Ron has shared the stage with headline performers that include Phil Perry, Jill Scott, Anne Nesby, Frank McComb and Mike Phillips. ‘I Feel Ya’ is an extremely commendable first solo effort and is made more so by the fact that (when reprises are factored in) he writes or co-writes nine of the ten tracks.

As with all debut albums there is the question of establishing an identity and initial indications are that locked within this big, jazzy player is a sophisticated smooth jazz star who is longing to be set free. Despite understated intro’s the high octane side of James nature is well in evidence with tracks such as the bluesy ‘One Of Those Days’ and the jazzy yet cultured ‘Prep Time’. For ‘Talk To Me’ he combines with Melvin Jones on trumpet to engender a Tower Of Power vibe that really keeps the energy flowing while on the straight ahead-ish ‘Time’ he shows more than a passing affinity for up tempo jazz in the classic style.

‘In A State’ is both moody and melodic. Again James ratchets up the urgency as the track progresses but when he arrives at ‘Morning Sunset’ he dwells longer in the mellow splendour of this evocative track to demonstrate that although his style is to drive to a crescendo he has the ability to remain completely in control. It’s a quality piece of smooth jazz that checks all the right boxes and right there with it is the title track. This feisty slice of foot tapping contemporary jazz features a top notch piano solo from Justin Gilbert and when James opts to turn things down its the keys of Derrieux Edgecombe that play their part. First on ‘Lullaby’, a tune that does exactly what its titles suggests it should, and then again on ‘Schiniese’ his restrained bi-play with James is just wonderful. This latter track, oozing with the luscious velvet tones that classy smooth jazz should be all about, is one of the albums standouts and another Smooth Jazz Therapy favourite is ‘Without You’. Here James slips effortlessly into an urban jazz vibe and gets it completely right. With seriously sensuous backing vocals, his own ultra smooth playing and a splash of Hammond B3 from Edgecombe this one will be on the iPod playlist for sometime to come.

‘I Feel Ya’ is a great showcase for the talented Ron James and is certainly one to watch. For more on Ron James go to www.ronjamesonline.com
- Denis Poole

Regardless of instrument choice, skillset, sound, production, or record label for that matter has to be and extremely difficult task to carve out your niche and make a solid impact as an upcoming artist these days. With that said, after spinning saxophonist Ron James debut recording titled “I Feel Ya” without hesitation there’s no need to contemplate this issue any longer because Mr. James has without a doubt comes to play.

From the onset, Brooklyn, NY native (raised in Miami) Ron James steps out of the gate with the spontaneous flair on the title track “I Feel Ya…” which is immediately followed by the infectious “In A State” certainly sets the pace for this accomplish musician and composer. Mr. James encompasses the passion of his Caribbean heritage anchored by his vision aligned with razor sharp tonality serves up a consistent blend of more than satisfying array of compositions thru out this project to back his mesmerizing yet relevant voice in today’s jazz.

“The future has no boundaries … unless we create them,” words of wisdom by this promising visionary and musician Ron James. After a few listens to “I Feel Ya” you’re bound to be attracted to rock solid production, musicianship and quality compositions is an impressive template of music that includes jazz, blues, and gospel with complimentary dose of soulful funk tossed in to sweeten up this well stirred brew. The humble spirit and energetic voice of Ron James is under the influence of who’s who in the jazz world which includes the unique talents of David Sanborn, Quincy Jones, Bob James, George Duke, and David Foster to name a few. It’s no wonder his compositional strategy to travel charted paths of familiarity based upon his ability to pen intense, melodic and upbeat grooves that contemporary jazz lovers will boldly embrace with vigor the soulful nuances of saxophonist extraordinaire Ron James for years to come.

~ Rob Young, Reviewer - Rob Young

Ron James & The Truth
Thursday, October 5th, 2006


Artist: Ron James & The Truth
Release: Scheduled release date: April 2007

Ron James & The Truth delivers music that blends passion, soul and inspiration. His music is guaranteed to captivate true music lovers, embracing every age group and every nationality, with no boundaries. Though new to the scene, Ron is quickly emerging as one of history’s finest. His distinctive sound can be heard on projects such as Spirit & Truth by New Birth Total Praise, All Day by William Murphy, Intellipop by Rhonda Smith, More than an Athlete by Etan Thomas and In This Time by Patricia Shirley. He has accompanied national renowned artists such as Phil Perry, Jill Scott, Tramaine Hawkins, Richard Smallwood, Kevin Bond, Ruby Baker, Dionne Farris, PJ Morton, Anne Nesby, Herbie Hancock and many more.

IndiePro Comments: Ron James & The Truth offers a pleasurable listening experience with his soulful sax playing. Light, airy drums and keys provide an aurally delicious backdrop for Ron’s amazing skill on alto sax. Each song comes straight from heart, and touches the listener right where it should - deep in the soul.
- IndiePro

A great set of smooth saxophone numbers from Ron James -- a contemporary player, but one with a really classic approach to his material! We're not normally big fans of this sort of album, but Ron's got a sound that we can really get behind -- a soulful sense of space and timing that reminds us a fair bit of Stanley Turrentine's phrasing on some of his late 70s albums, yet one that's also inflected with a bit more contemporary vibe as well. There's also a good dose of organ in the mix, alongside the more expected keyboards -- and titles include "In A State", "I Feel Ya", "One Of Those Days", "Prep Time", "Morning Sunset", "Schiniese", and "Time".
- Dusty Groove America