JR is in the middle of filming his new DVD!
It will be released through Alfred Publishing/Drum Channel on October 1, 2010.
It will include several new songs from his upcoming solo CD2 + 2 DVD's. Stay tuned!
Grammy Award Winning Recording Artist John Robinson has released his first solo CD "Funkshui". With help of the world's finest musicians (Neil Stubenhaus, Gary Grant, Mark Williamson, Jeff Lorber, Ross Bolton, Leland Sklar, Brandon Fields, Paul Jackson Jr., Michael Thompson and Dan Higgins), JR has assembled a collection of original songs sure to please his countless fans. As is evident on past recordings with Rufus and Chaka Khan, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Steve Winwood,
his signature style is unmistakable. This drumming pioneer has brought to this solo recording his
love of Jazz, Funk and Rock and his solid "groove". Mastered in the SACD format, which captures
the incredible energy of the performances in "surround", this listening experience puts you right in
the center of the music. "Funkshui" is a labor of love by one of the greatest musicians of all time.
JR's great drumming skills have graced countless hit records in all musical genres.
Join the GROOVE!
John JR Robinson Funkshui CD Review by Mike Dolbear-
You will have heard John "JR" Robinson play drums. That's not a "might have" or a "quite possibly", you will have. JR is one of the most recorded drummers in history and has been at the top of his game for over 25 years. People he as played for include Michael Jackson (Off The Wall) , Rufus
and Chaka Khan and Barbara Streisand. So as you can imagine, he's done a bit of work.
Over to John to describe his first solo CD; "This CD is very eclectic and has something for everyone including "Tellin Lies" [Cold As Ice] which is a rewrite of Foreigner's "Cold As Ice" to "Hair Of The Dog" which is a driving horn-based funk tune using altered scales featuring Brandon Fields, Gary Grant, John Beasley and Paul Jackson, Jr."
Listening to the album it does cover a different collection of styles from the laid back funky groove thing of Good Ole Times to the second-line segments of Sister Sadie to the ballad Lullaby For Jack. Production is, as you might expect from a player of this magnitude, at a high level, and while the drums are very clear and well recorded, the bigger musical picture is well catered for and so thankfully, this isn't a particularly "drummy" record. If you’re a big fan of drum solos, track eleven will top it all off nicely for you. Solo aside, the actual recording of the kit was very sweet indeed!
Guest players on the album include well renowned bass player Neil Stubenhaus, Danny Reyes on percussion and JR's son, John T. Robinson aka Dr.Wicked, on Good Ole Times. Not surprisingly this effort also sees JR taking on other duties such as bass and programming amongst other things.
Overall, this is easy listening (in a good way too) and should find its way into all discerning
drummers' collections. I can certainly see myself putting the album on in the car again and
again and happily listening away.
Tracks:
1. Flight 81
2. Reshuffle
3. Tellin Lies (Cold As Ice)
4. Good Old Times
5. Sister Sadie
6. Cool TV
7. Hair Of The Dog
8. Sierra
9. Skunkin
10. Lullaby For Jack
11. Montebelluna Drum Solo
-David Bateman May 2005 reprinted from MikeDolbear.com
"Who is your favorite AOR/Westcoast related session drummer? Late Jeff Porcaro, or late Carlos
Vega? Whoelse? It must be John JR Robinson for me! As you find John JR Robinson on many albums you have, he is one of the first call drummer in Los Angeles since late 70's. John JR
Robinson started his studio session works career in 1978 when he joined the band Rufus. It is
widely known that Quicy Jones asked John to play the drum for Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" album.
As regards John's own project, you might have the project CD with Mark Williamson:
Bridge 2 Far" (1989) for CBS Records USA. Although it was not successful in terms of commercial sales, it is one of my favourite CD in late 80's. And now, John JR Robinson compelted his first solo
CD "Funkshui" with help of the world's finest musicians (Neil Stubenhaus, Gary Grant, Mark Williamson, Jeff Lorber, Ross Bolton, Leland Sklar, Brandon Fields, Paul Jackson Jr., Michael Thompson and Dan Higgins). John JR Robinson has assembled a collection of original songs
sure to please his countless fans. The album includes has his love of Jazz, Funk and Rock
and his solid "groove"."
Tracks:
1. Set My Spirit Free
2. Rivers of Paradise
3. Hold On
4. Indescretion
5. Gonna Be Some Changes
6. Only a Letter
7. Hard Time Love
8. One Good Woman
9. Love Comes Calling
10. Alimony Blues
"TRW was formed by three highly regarded session musicians of the rock and pop scenes. Michael Thompson, Mark Williamson and John Robinson have a collective resume that includes work with artists such as Michael Jackson, Steve Winwood, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Madonna and many more. 'Rivers Of Paradise' finds the trio exuding their typically brilliant musicianship, stellar songwriting and soaring vocals in a melodic rock feast that cannot be missed."
“Rivers of Paradise”, the long awaited project by TRW
Frontiers Records is delighted to announce the signing of TRW for the release of their debut
album “Rivers of Paradise” !
Behind the TRW acronym hides a trio made up of the most incredible musicians/session players
that have literally played the history of Rock and Pop music !
"T" stands for Michael Thompson. A stunning guitar player, Michael is well known to the Melodic Rock crowd for his M.T.B. album “How Long” released in 1989. He has also released two solo
albums titled, “The World According To MT” and “MT Speaks”. But he built his reputation playing with such megastar names as Shania Twain, Michael Bolton, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Cher and many many more. He is nowadays one of the leading names in the guitar world and is playing is instantly recognizable and full of technique and feeling.
"R" stands for John Robinson: a real legend in drumming. He released one solo album titled “Funkshui” and played with an impressive list of artists. Some names include: Michael Jackson,
Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton, Seal, Steve Winwood and of course Barbra Streisand.
Last but not least, is Mark Williamson, the singer and bass player in the line-up. He came to the attention of the Melodic Rock fans - together with Robinson - on the superb TOTO-flavoured
album as BRIDGE 2 FAR. Later he released one solo album for GRP, entitled “Time Slipping By”, collaborated with Mike Oldfield and worked in sessions or live dates with many artists, including: Freddie Mercury, George Harrison, Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck, Elton John, Peter Frampton. "“The concept behind TRW is that myself, Michael and Mark are true fans of classic rock and roll”, explains John Robinson. His friendship with Thompson dates back to their years in the Berklee College of Music when they were in classes together.
“We have so many things musically in common that it was destiny forming TRW”, continues
Robinson. “We also play in David Foster's All-Star band. Michael and I have been writing
together for many years now and by adding such a great singer/writer as Mark, it is just magic.
We have formulated our own style with comparisons to many rock bands such as Led Zeppelin,
Bad Company, Journey and Toto”. The new album is everything one could expect from these monster musicians: brilliant musicianship, immense songwriting, soaring vocals and rocking
attitude!
“One thing that we pride ourselves on is all our songs have melodies that everybody will
remember”, concludes Robinson: “We all believe in great songs! Quincy Jones taught me
about it and by the way, this is definitely not a one off. We have already plans to start
writing by the end of this year for the 2nd CD”.
“Rivers of Paradise” is undoubtedly a true Melodic Rock classic in the making which should
not be missed by anyone. Songs in streaming can be heard following this link !
The release is scheduled for June 2007 on Frontiers Records, with more details
(including an additional very nice surprise for the fans) to be announced at a later stage.
