ride
| Format | CD |
| Country | USA |
| Recorded | 1998 |
| Issued | 1999 |
| Label | First World Music |
| Cat no. | FWD 99.05 |
| Playing time | - |
| Reviewer | Trond Gjellum |
| JEFF GREINKE ride |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
Jeff Greinke is a multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, accordeon and samples) who has a versatile background within new age and fusion, and on Ride these elements are melted into a synthesis which may be denominated new age rock. This may sound like a typical "muzak"-issue, but thank heavens, this is not the fact.
Even if the tracks are simple in their construction with sparse amounts of energy and weight, it is still an attractive concept. The rhythm section is tight and well functioning and builds a firm foundation for Greinke’s exquisite keyboard work and the session musicians handling guitar, bass clarinet and cello. The quality of the production is extremely high (something I have noticed on several First World Music releases), and the sound has a fine balance and a feeling of space which is particularly pleasing.
Herein lies also the main objection to the record. It is a little too much on the nice and pleasing side, and you find yourself waiting for a bit more punch withing the dynamics of the music. With a more varied sound picture and scope of composition, this record would have received an unreserved recommendation from me. As it is now, I would restrict to recommend this record to those who do not demand big dynamic variations, but prefer a well played and pleasant musical hour.
© 2001 Tarkus Magazine