Search - Ronny Jordan :: Off the Record

Off the hook!!

madgriot | London, UK | 10/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the electric retro funk sound of "Get Ready" (the intro to this album) you know the original Ronny 'So What' Jordan is back. Hear the oriental flavour introduced by rhythmic cymbals, lightly peppered with wah-wah and you know he came back armed with innovation - again!No Pay, No Play is my numero uno on this album, but I believe Ronny has two possible crossover gems in "Keep Your Head Up" (with Fay Simpson on vocals) and "Once or Twice" featuring Sy Smith although the former is a stronger bet.On "Floor & More" Ronny evokes recollections of "Tinseltown" (from the Quiet Revolution album) with a scintillating fusion of electric guitar and synth sounds and impeccable timing. "On the Record" threatens disco but delivers delicious jazz as the guitarist truly lets go on the longest track (9.24) on the album. Watch out for the lovely improvs around the third minute. Two thumbs up for this track, which leads into a slower rendition for the title track "Off the Record" that makes you want to reach for your wine glass and chill. Stay in that mood for "(The Theme From) Underworld"There is one track that annoys me on this album though; "Ronny You Talk Too Much". It has all the makings of a beautiful song but then the intrusive phone calls and spoken word of Love-Child ruin it. Fortunately Ronny proves on "Toe Jam" (featuring Excite) and the opening track "Get Ready" (with Love-Child) that he is still a master at fusing jazz with rap/spoken word.This album doesn't have a "The Morning After" which is my favorite Ronny Jordan track ever, but it is an outstanding album nonetheless. Having said that, it took three months for me to fall in love with "The Morning After" so you might as well just go ahead put on the record that I recommended this!"

Ronny's best album by far

Derek Johnson | United Kingdom | 01/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have all of Ronny's albums, and for me, this is the best. I think that Ronny differs from the rest of the catz in this smooth jazz guitar genre, because he has more of a Hip-hop streets thing going on, particular on this album. I believe that this was the last album to have this appeal, as future offerings, like After 8, and at Last seem to be going for the romantic lush ting. If you are just starting to get into Ronny, and are wondering where to start, you could start from here and work your way backward.

I know as people get older their taste changes, and Ronny is well entitled to go in another direction, but he risks losing his

core fan base."

Half and half

Vizioli de Meo Francesco | Rome, Italy | 05/17/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In my opinion a "strange" CD. I find five out of the ten tracks of this CD absolutely outstanding (2, 4, 7, 8, 9, five stars), but the other five range from disappointing (3, 5, two stars) to awful (1, 6, 10, no stars). If all the tracks were at the same level of the five which I love this would be one of the best CDs I have ever listened to."