Review Whenever Jeff Kashiwa gets fed up with the day-to-day grind of being one of smooth jazz's most popular saxmen, all he has to do is recall the late '80s. He was working an unspectacular day job and playing too many weekend weddings when his friend, bassist Steve Bailey, helped get him an audition to replace saxophonist Brandon Fields in the Rippingtons. Kashiwa landed the gig. During the next ten years Kashiwa became one of the focal points of the Ripps' classic sound. In the mid '90s he took some rare downtime to produce two well-received solo efforts, Remember Catalina and Walkamile. Kashiwa quit the Ripps in early 1999 to focus fully on his own career. Consequently, his Native Language debut Another Door Opens is a true sink-or-swim proposition. Kashiwa brings two crucial legacies from his tenure with the Ripps - the tutelage of Russ Freeman and the forging of an amazing creative partnership with Ripps' keyboardist Dave Kochanski, who co-produced Another Door Opens and wrote four of its songs, including the first single, a brassy, swaying, retro-funk-flavored number called "Hyde Park (The 'Ah, Oooh' Song)." While he's becoming a better all-around sax player, the real litmus test of Kashiwa's solo future lies in his ability to compose strong melodies over today's popular urban-shuffle grooves. On "Power of Midnight," he floats a wistful soprano melody over the thick, throbbing bass of Melvin Davis and the clicking drums of Ricky Lawson. While most of his and Kochanski's writing here is pop-oriented and in-the-pocket, the simmering, ominous blues vamp of Kashiwa's "Dream Within a Dream" makes a perfect launch pad for his soaring tenor. More impressively, the gently percussive soprano melody of the title track - while nothing groundbreaking - rings with the kind of beauty Freeman brought to the Ripps' best ballads. --- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc. --From Jazziz Product Description The Native Language debut from the former Rippington's saxophonist that brings together a solid cast of Smooth Jazz artists: Marc Antoine, Brian Bromberg, Russell Ferrante, Ricky Lawson, Jeff Lorber Will Kennedy, Steve Oliver and Steve Reid. The albums' producers include Brian Bromberg, Jeff Lorber, Dave Kochanski and Jeff Kashiwa. About the Artist Jeff Kashiwa made a name for himself as the featured saxophonist of The Rippingtons for more than ten years. A thousand gigs later, his passion for playing music for enthusiastic fans is still an aspiring dream. Throughout his career, Jeff has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia stretching his instrumental voice worldwide. He has recorded and toured with a variety of jazz artists such as David Benoit, Steve Reid, Mark Portmann, John Tesh and of course, The Rippingtons. He's also performed many memorable concerts with his own group, Coastal Access, which will be his top priority in the new millenium. The year 2000 will also bring Jeff's third solo release, "Another Door Opens," to fruition. His recent collaborations with Dave Kochanski, Jeff Lorber, Marc Antoine, Russell Ferrante and Will Kennedy have been particulary meaningful to Jeff and he's excited to share that experience with everyone. Having recently been signed to his new record label, Native Language, Jeff is hopeful that this his music will be heard across the country and abroad. His two earlier releases, "Remember Catalina" and "Walk a Mile" were only the beginning of his bright solo recording career. Jeff can also be heard on soundtracks for television and movies. He has plans this year to compose music for a series of documentaries which will be produced by an arts and education station for PBS. His committment to music education has made Jeff a popular clinician at many public schools and universities. When time permits, he still teaches up and coming musicians in his home. If you have a chance to speak with Jeff after one of his concerts, you'll find out why so many people call him "the nicest guy" they've ever met. He is as gracious today as he was when he walked out on stage for the very first time. His secret for success: "Appreciate what you have and remain hopeful. You never know when another door will open.", ISBN13: B00004X0F3 ISBN10: B00004X0F3 Material Type: audioCDReview Whenever Jeff Kashiwa gets fed up with the day-to-day grind of being one of smooth jazz's most popular saxmen, all he has to do is recall the late '80s. He was working an unspectacular day job and playing too many weekend weddings when his friend, bassist Steve Bailey, helped get him an audition to replace saxophonist Brandon Fields in the Rippingtons. Kashiwa landed the gig. During the next ten years Kashiwa became one of the focal points of the Ripps' classic sound. In the mid '90s he took some rare downtime to produce two well-received solo efforts, Remember Catalina and Walkamile. Kashiwa quit the Ripps in early 1999 to focus fully on his own career. Consequently, his Native Language debut Another Door Opens is a true sink-or-swim proposition. Kashiwa brings two crucial legacies from his tenure with the Ripps - the tutelage of Russ Freeman and the forging of an amazing creative partnership with Ripps' keyboardist Dave Kochanski, who co-produced Another Door Opens and wrote four of its songs, including the first single, a brassy, swaying, retro-funk-flavored number called "Hyde Park (The 'Ah, Oooh' Song)." While he's becoming a better all-around sax player, the real litmus test of Kashiwa's solo future lies in his ability to compose strong melodies over today's popular urban-shuffle grooves. On "Power of Midnight," he floats a wistful soprano melody over the thick, throbbing bass of Melvin Davis and the clicking drums of Ricky Lawson. While most of his and Kochanski's writing here is pop-oriented and in-the-pocket, the simmering, ominous blues vamp of Kashiwa's "Dream Within a Dream" makes a perfect launch pad for his soaring tenor. More impressively, the gently percussive soprano melody of the title track - while nothing groundbreaking - rings with the kind of beauty Freeman brought to the Ripps' best ballads. --- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc. --From Jazziz Product Description The Native Language debut from the former Rippington's saxophonist that brings together a solid cast of Smooth Jazz artists: Marc Antoine, Brian Bromberg, Russell Ferrante, Ricky Lawson, Jeff Lorber Will Kennedy, Steve Oliver and Steve Reid. The albums' producers include Brian Bromberg, Jeff Lorber, Dave Kochanski and Jeff Kashiwa. About the Artist Jeff Kashiwa made a name for himself as the featured saxophonist of The Rippingtons for more than ten years. A thousand gigs later, his passion for playing music for enthusiastic fans is still an aspiring dream. Throughout his career, Jeff has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia stretching his instrumental voice worldwide. He has recorded and toured with a variety of jazz artists such as David Benoit, Steve Reid, Mark Portmann, John Tesh and of course, The Rippingtons. He's also performed many memorable concerts with his own group, Coastal Access, which will be his top priority in the new millenium. The year 2000 will also bring Jeff's third solo release, "Another Door Opens," to fruition. His recent collaborations with Dave Kochanski, Jeff Lorber, Marc Antoine, Russell Ferrante and Will Kennedy have been particulary meaningful to Jeff and he's excited to share that experience with everyone. Having recently been signed to his new record label, Native Language, Jeff is hopeful that this his music will be heard across the country and abroad. His two earlier releases, "Remember Catalina" and "Walk a Mile" were only the beginning of his bright solo recording career. Jeff can also be heard on soundtracks for television and movies. He has plans this year to compose music for a series of documentaries which will be produced by an arts and education station for PBS. His committment to music education has made Jeff a popular clinician at many public schools and universities. When time permits, he still teaches up and coming musicians in his home. If you have a chance to speak with Jeff after one of his concerts, you'll find out why so many people call him "the nicest guy" they've ever met. He is as gracious today as he was when he walked out on stage for the very first time. His secret for success: "Appreciate what you have and remain hopeful. You never know when another door will open.", ISBN13: B00004X0F3 ISBN10: B00004X0F3 Material Type: audioCD , ISBN13: B00004X0F3 ISBN10: B00004X0F3 Material Type: audioCD