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LOS ANGELES, May 9, 2008 -- Drummer, Composer Frank Briggs is joined by an All-Star group of musical soul mates on his first solo release. 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. 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.
"I wanted this to be an album like albums used to be, a collection of songs that belong together and that are meant to be listened to as a whole," Briggs said. "They do stand on their own as well," he added. "There was no plan to make this or that type of album. The music is what came through me at this particular time in my life. It is pretty honest and sincere. This is not a typical fusion or jazz record as the focus is on melodies and the harmony, and the tunes are really quite simple and hopefully memorable," Briggs said. "But at the same time there is a feeling of power and energy underneath it all, which is just the way I envisioned it."
Briggs' musical credentials run wide and deep: He's a best-selling author of how-to drumming books and videos as well as a touring and studio drummer for some of the biggest names in Pop, Rock and R&B. "China Ranch" is flavored by this wide range of experience and is also influenced by musical idols such as Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Pat Metheny and many others.
"All the musicians on China Ranch were picked for their individual strengths and each song was cast carefully to highlight them," said Briggs. The lineup includes Brian Price (gtrs); Ric Fierabracci (bass); Steve Weingart (keys); Chris Golden (bass); Mitchel Forman (keys); Kit Walker (keys); Jeff Miley (gtrs) Frank Gambale (gtrs) Mark Doyle (gtrs) Jeff Babko (keys) Michito Sanchez (perc) Travis Carlton (bass) Jimmy Earl (bass).
From the liner notes: "Briggs and his amazing album mates have pulled off an astonishing feat: The technique is mesmerizing and masterful while also maintaining an emotional truth that makes a cohesive statement. 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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