Born: December 6, 1955 Primary Instrument: Keyboard
Last Updated: March 31, 2010Multi-instrumentalist Hill Briggs has just released his long awaited album “Don’t Stop me Now”, which features an array of critically acclaimed musicians and vocalists that makes this album deserving of top slot in the rack. Briggs has produced this album with such panache that you cannot help but feel a part of what he is trying to accomplish here. It’s almost a life's work of playing, writing and performing that makes you feel that you are a part of it and that it was written especially for you, the listener. It’s not the usual run of the mill jazz that you would expect from a musician of Briggs’ caliber, but more of a statement of commitment which takes multi-tasking to the extreme and that has a feel like a jazz/fusion genre all of its own. Briggs is a fine musician, a player’s player that shows in the accomplishments and execution of each individual track. Painstakingly put together live in the studio, with Briggs playing a large number of instruments including bass and rhythm guitars, drums and keyboards as well as the odd sax part, he mixes well with very carefully chosen guest musicians and vocalists. Briggs knows a good musician and vocalist when he hears one, and here he collaborates with peerless ease that allows them the freedom to execute their own talents that blend perfectly into what is simply an outstanding album. This is a very clever piece of work; it has layers that you don’t get with commercially produced material such as those in the pop charts. It’s not simply a tune being sung to, we have depth; we have instruments being played and recorded off the floor live, real musicians making real music. This album is designed to be listened to, not just put on and played but to sit back, listen and absorb. There is a very subtle blend of vocal tracks and instrumentals, the stand out track being ‘Heart Felt’ which shows just why Hill Briggs is at the top of the leader board with his precision playing and masterful abilities that make him the musician and producer he is. Multi talented singer/musician Ronnie McNier produces an outstanding vocal performance on the single “Don’t Stop Me Now” a different style of singing to his norm I can`t wait to see the both of them live I Nibbsy
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