_REVIEWS
"Guitarist Jeff Ray's debut, The Walkup, is a diverse mix of intelligent improvisation with a funky jazz-fusion feel that leaves listeners captivated and wanting more . . . [Ray] has created a unique, jam-band groove in the vein of John Scofield yet also adds his own loose and soulful flavor reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. . . . The players create a wonderful mix of open grooves, individual solos, wild funk and refreshing creativity. Overall, The Walkup is an exhilirating beginning for a guitarist with a bright future in the jazz world."
-- Joe Milliken, Goldmine Magazine, November 2003
This is a workable formula of viable and gainful soul, fusion, and jazz. Ray plays his guitar with what seems like
an inexhaustable supply of ravishing melodies, phrases, etc.........Plus an array of sundry moods & tempos, etc.
One can go on and on about such a gifted player as Ray. Suffice it to say that he challenges the resources of his ax
with a fully developed & mature style, distinguished by artistic subtleties of warmth & artistry. I say let's keep him!
Gifted guitarist Jeff Ray puts every ounce of soulful funk he's soaked up over the years into The Walkup, a
jazz fusion CD brimming with crowd pleasing guitar work, creative solo exchanges, and overall top-notch musicianship.
He's comfortable with delivering his music in a variety of tones, from shimmering clean to rock-edged dirty, which keeps
the aural satisfaction at a high level throughout the disc. . . . well-developed music with plenty of surprises.
Harlem-based electric guitarist Jeff Ray finds a niche playing likeable,
melodic, sometimes brooding, often grooving post-millennium fusion. . . . the
Ohio native may just conquer the jazz world. . . . Ray makes a good
case for eventually rising above [his] inspirations and creating a sound all his
own.
"Electric guitarist Ray plays the kind of instrumental rock you can never get enough of. Like Jeff Beck, he can rock ("Cinnamon Lenses") - and he can get good and slow: check out "Everybody Loves the Sunshine." . . . A modern blast from the past."
"Jeff Ray is pretty much an unknown . . . but his playing brings to mind a veteran of the music scene who feels comfortable with what's out there, but still forges his own identity.
The music here is a mixture of jazz, funk, and R&B. His use of dynamics, both as a composer and a player, is wonderful. The laid back funk of tunes like "Streams" is deceptive at first because you fall into the groove with the musicians. By the time Jeff is ripping through some changes in a fire-breathing solo, you realize you've been had. In a good way, of course. And that's just the beginning . . . wonderful rhythm section work . . . clean,
soulful, and tasty guitar work.
This is a fine record. Fans of folks like Larry Carlton and John Scofield should enjoy it. . . . Jeff appears to be well on his way to carving out his own niche in the jazz guitar field, without leaning on the influence of
others."
"Brilliantly conceived and produced, this album incorporates equal amounts of r&b, funk, rock and jazz to create a hypnotic blend of ultra tight grooves and delicious melodies . . . a great debut from an outstanding new artist. Highly recommended."
"Jeff Ray [has] assimilated the sophisticated urban grit that gives his music that necessary edginess, that thing that raises this music above fray . . . Full of James Brown and Solomon Burke, The Walkup is a head-bobbing experience from beginning to end."
