Artist: Ron Bosse
Album: Burning Room Only
Release 2022
Boston based guitarist and composer Ron Bosse has appeared throughout the United States and Canada, and has performed and recorded with jazz greats Dave Liebman, Bob Mintzer, Lil’ John Roberts, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Ben Shepherd, Gary Novak, MonoNeon, Hadrien Feraud, Jimmy Haslip, Sonny Emory, Bob Reynolds, Mike Stern, George Garzone and Jerry Bergonzi. Ron has been praised for his work in Jazz Times, Downbeat, Jazz Now, Guitar Player Magazine, the Boston Globe and the New York Times.
A graduate of Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, Ron has been an active player and bandleader for many years. In 1994, he was voted “Outstanding Guitarist” by Guitar Player Magazine who called him “a master in the making.” His playing and compositions are world class on every level. He surrounds himself with a tremendous group of musicians that move as a unit through every clever twist and turn on this 11 song set that is sure to satisfy the most discerning palates. The thing about this record that I love is it is more song driven than improvisational solo driven. The songs seem to have taken priority over the flaunting of obvious exceptional musicianship. Power Drive is a track that captures that perfectly. Each musician seems to get a piece of the sonic pie, within the context of the song. By letting the song speak for itself we hear true and casual mastery in the hands of fantastic players that all get a chance to shine. Aerodynamic is one of my favorite cuts from the album. The rhythm section pops and the guitar solo simmers with flawless execution and tone. This is clearly a band of top tier pros laying down serious tracks. I don't think there could have been a hipper bass line for this song. It is like a song in itself, locked in, pocketed and shining simultaneously, without stepping on anyone else in the recording. Ante Up is another barn burner of a cut with a fantastic groove and vibe. It features absurdly great playing from all. The head jumps right out of the speakers with bravado and swag. Both the guitar and sax solos are tremendous on every level. It is not often that you hear a guitarist in the fusion world lay into some blues licks. This is a perfect example of what makes Ron Bosse an exceptional player. Sometimes it just needs to be bluesy and he isn't afraid to commit to it! Bossman is one that encapsulates the overall vibe of the record. It is a microcosm of the whole set featuring a great rhythm section, killer horns, and a fantastic guitar solo all rolled into a 3:42 upbeat funk infused display of chops and composition. Again, the song is the ground floor, but with plenty of room to show what the individuals within the group are capable of. This album is somewhere between fusion and contemporary groove based funky jazz. I honestly cannot overstate what a good listen it is. It has all the elements that make it stand out from the sea of good guitar players that work within the many subgenres of jazz. The interplay between the musicians is as good as it gets and the production is flawless. Ron's guitar is a masterclass in playing for the song while still pushing the boundary far enough to make his very capable voice be heard. I highly recommend Burning Room Only to anyone that loves world class musicianship featured on an album that the listener does need to be a musician to enjoy. That is not an easy balance to strike. But this album does it in stellar fashion.
RON BOSSE | GUITAR
JEFF LORBER | PIANO, RHODES, B3 & CLAV
GARY NOVAK | DRUMS
DAVID MANN | HORN ARRANGER & PERFORMANCE
MONO NEON | BASS
BEN SHEPHERD | BASS
HADRIEN FERAUD | BASS
JIMMY HASLIP | BASS
BOB MINTZER | TENOR SAXOPHONE
RICK DIMUZIO | TENOR SAXOPHONE
BOB REYNOLDS | TENOR SAXOPHONE
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