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Frank Briggs

Frank Briggs Group

About Me

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Liner Notes by Jeffrey Davis
Drummer, Composer Frank Briggs is joined by an All-Star group of musical soul mates on his first solo release; a breathtaking collection of compositions that celebrate the power of hope amid adversity. Inspired by a spectacular desert oasis, China Ranch takes us on a journey of musical exploration and virtuosity as expressed by an artist blessed with curiosity, compassion … and serious chops.
China Ranch is a real place – a family owned date farm in the Mojave Desert, not far from Southern Death Valley. But channeled through this music, China Ranch is not merely a destination; it is a journey into the soul, navigated by a performer at the peak of his talents.
Briggs and his amazing bandmates (Steve Weingart, Brian Price, Ric Fierabracci, Mitchel Forman, Kit Walker, Frank Gambale, Jimmy Earl, Jeff Babko, Chris Golden, Jeff Miley, Mark Doyle, Travis Carlton and Michito Sanchez) have pulled off an astonishing feat: The technique is mesmerizing and masterful while also maintaining an emotional truth that makes a cohesive statement.
Supple melodies dance over shape-shifting modes and contrasting instrumental voicings. The players carve deep jazz- and funk-based grooves while playfully displacing beats and inverting expectations around every corner. Driving everything is the deft and explosive pulse created by the composer, producer and engineer of this project.
Musically inventive and as sonically lush as the desert flowers that inspire these tracks, China Ranch is Frank Briggs’ musical thank you note to a locale which proves that even the most barren and forbidding places we know can bear fruit of remarkable sweetness. ...
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Press Reviews
On China Ranch, Frank Briggs writes a Return To Forever-esque treatment of ten killer tracks that display strong drumming, Rhodes and synths, guitar and bass soloing. The compositions, inspired by a visit to the family-owned date farm in the Mojave Desert, keep an eye on the jazz-rock fusion tradition pioneered by such influences as Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Pat Metheny and others, while still moving the genre forward.
On "Desert Flower" the solos run the gamut from lush, modern electronics and dramatic harmonies to wide-open solo sections for Kit Walker on Synth and Brian Price on guitar. Briggs' powerful and rhythmic drumming keeps this song musically focused, energetic and shifting freely between the jazz and rock elements.
"Tecopa Moon" may be too hip for the room, as they say, since its laid-back ambience and walking bass lines is an example of how Briggs' arrangement takes an electronic marvel to another level of melodic excellence. The feel shifts from the very beginning and the tempo ranges from Briggs' moderately slow drumming and soundscapes to the lightning fast guitar licks of both Price and Jeff Miley.
The title track, "China Ranch" features twists and turns with surprises and a funky groove that will have both the band and their listeners enjoying themselves through this musical ride. The entire recording is beautifully conceived, expertly crafted and is a must for fans of jazz-rock fusion
Paula Edelstein; All Music Guide
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Strong and melodic. Powerful and introspective. Pure. That pretty much says it all about this album. Frank has covered all the bases with China Ranch. This CD will be appreciated by jazz purists simply for the approach and production and the way in which each piece has been handled with pure artistry. The melodies and traditional-sounding lines found on these various pieces are simply beautiful.
The musicianship is flawless. Why shouldn°t it be? Besides being a world-class drummer, Frank is a gregarious young man. He has enlisted for this project, players that are among the best to be found anywhere. China Ranch is one of those albums that allows the listener the luxury of not having a favorite cut. As you listen to each track you find something very cool about each one that just stays with you. Here is my take on a few of the tunes.
The second selection, °Tecopa Moon° is reminiscent of Billy Cobham's °Spectrum° L.P. I do not mean that from a plageristic standpoint, not at all. It is just the feel and the attitude with which the piece is delivered that invokes mystery and a dark atmosphere. Very cool.
"Melonie" the third track, is produced in a traditional manner, with pure instrumentation. It begins as a serious piano piece that falls into a really hip, romantic swing carried by pianist Steve Weingart. The tandem melody played by guitar and piano is magical. As this piece moves along there is a beautiful bass solo by Ric Fierabracci followed by a perfectly pure guitar solo provided by Brian Price. The interplay throughout this piece is remarkable. This compostion is one that any serious student of music will appreciate both as a listener and as a piece to study.
The title cut, °China Ranch° is a funky one. Heavy and slightly dark with what I would say is a Miles inspired line. Cool vibes and keys. This one is on the other end of the spectrum from the afore-mentioned °Melonie°. I suggest it be played loud.
Okay, I am going to get a bit heady with this one °Spirit Rider° is aptly named for sure. It is a breathy piece that gives the listener a sense of sailing high above the western landscape and taking in all of the majestic beauty below. It comes back to ground with the rhythm section playing a °Frank Zappa-ish° kind of reggae style melodic line over which there is the perfect compliment of fiery guitar solo performed by Mark Doyle.
So bottom line is this °China Ranch contains 10 remarkable instrumental cuts that you have to hear. It takes you to a lot of different places musically and you will enjoy the trip.
Gary Dean Smith, Lone Lee Radio Show (Boulder CO)
I am available for sessions worldwide and can create custom loops if needed. All of the tracks on this site and my home site frankbriggs.com were recorded and/or mixed in my studio in Los Angeles. Send me your stereo mix and I can add drums and send it back, either ftp or standard mail. The fee includes engineering and studio time and subject to approval. Tracks can be sent raw or with plugins burned into the track. Email or call me for fee and details.
Private lessons are available also please call 818.298.6787 to schedule


My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/1/2006
Band Website: frankbriggs.com
Band Members: Frank Briggs (d) Brian Price (g) Ric Fierabracci (b) Steve Weingart (k) Chris Golden (b) Mitchel Forman (k) Kit Walker (k) Jeff Miley (g) Frank Gambale (g) Mark Doyle (g) Jeff Babko (k) Michito Sanchez (p) Travis Carlton (b) Jimmy Earl (b)

Email List
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Influences: Pretty wide...musically it is almost anything. My earliest band influences were The Beatles, Jimi Handrix, Sly $ The Family Stone, Santana, The Who, Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, Then.. Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Mahavishnu, Weather Report, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Tony Williams, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, Marcus Miller, Sound Garden, Zappa, Allan Holdsworth, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, Eric Johnson,Drummers: Its a long list, here are some: Tony Williams, Mitch Mitchell, Buddy Rich, John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones, David Garibaldi, Jack DeJohnette, Terri Lyne Carrington, Alex Acuna, Eric Gravatt, Mike Clark, Bill Bruford, Bill Stewart, Dennis Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Peter Erskine. Frankie Dunlop, Gary Novak, Toss Panos, Joel Taylor, Abe Laboriel Jr. Chris Coleman, Chad Wackerman, Terry Bozzio, Jeff Porcaro etc etc.
Sounds Like:
NOW AVAILABLE - CHINA RANCH
12.95 US (Free Worldwide Shipping)

modern2

Complete Modern Drumset (book) - buy @ amazon

Complete Modern Drumset (DVD) - buy @ amazon

First Lessons Drumset - buy @ amazon

First Lessons Drumset (french edition) - buy @ amazon

Rudimental Applications (QuickGuide) - buy @ amazon

Latin Elements (QuickGuide) - buy @ amazon

Jazz Time Basics (Part One) - buy @ amazon

Record Label: NohoJazz
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

Circus of Sound coming August 26th! China Ranch on iTunes!

As some of you know I have been playing with a great rock/fusion band lately called OHM. I am on the new album "Circus of Sound" which will be released August 26th on Tone Center Records (home of Mich...
Posted by Frank Briggs on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:36:00 PST

Support Music and Check out Kit Walker’s Blog

Record sales are down nearly 40% in the last 2 years. The Internet has become like the Wild West with many taking on a similar attitude that looters do when there is a catastrophe. Every man for himse...
Posted by Frank Briggs on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:43:00 PST

All Music Guide Review

The second review is in for China Ranch from AMG. AMG is an industry go to site for info and discographies of artists listed there. They do frequently make mistakes on listings.I have been trying to g...
Posted by Frank Briggs on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:19:00 PST

China Ranch - First Review In

China Ranch has received it's first official press review from a DJ in Denver, Colorado.The Lone Lee Show - aka - Gary Dean SmithI will also be recording a live interview for GD's Lone Lee show..stay ...
Posted by Frank Briggs on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:09:00 PST

Where to Buy China Ranch

Hi Everyone,Well as some of you know China Ranch is out. The initial reviews have been awesome.As of right now you can buy a copy for yourself at the following stores online...1. CDBaby (CD or Downloa...
Posted by Frank Briggs on Tue, 06 May 2008 10:49:00 PST

Liner Notes by Jeffrey Davis

Drummer, Composer Frank Briggs is joined by an All-Star group of musical soul mates on his first solo release; a breathtaking collection of compositions that celebrate the power of hope amid adversity...
Posted by Frank Briggs on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:42:00 PST

Carl Jung on Art

Art is a kind of innate drive that seizes a human being andmakes him its instrument. The artist is not a person endowed withfree will who seeks his own ends, but one who allows art to realize its pur...
Posted by Frank Briggs on Tue, 06 Jun 2006 10:43:00 PST