THIS CD CONTAINS THE INTERNATIONAL HIT, "THE LORD'S PRAYER"
You and I know it: We are surviving tough times.
Well, here's a way to save a lot of money and enjoy some cool, new music at the same time.
If you enjoy Contemporary, Smooth Jazz you will, in all likelihood, discover 2-4 songs on this album that you REALLY like and those 4 songs just may be the ONLY tunes you want to buy.
Thanks to the new CD Baby format you can do just that!
And here's the payoff.
The CD price was $15... it's now $12.97!
You could choose to buy the entire album-and that's OK!
But...
If you found 4 songs you are going to purchase, your cost is only
$3.96.
Savings?
Close to $12 and now you own the songs you really want!
Pretty good deal, huh?!
Would I really like for you to buy the CD?
Obviously, YES!
Why?
Because I poured my heart and soul into EVERY song you will find on this CD to make EVERY song the very best possible and I know EVERY song on this CD is worthy of top price.
Bottom line?
I want you to be totally happy with your purchase... whether that be CDs or downloads!
FYI: "The Lord's Prayer", "Beautiful Savior" "God Is Love" and "God is Cool" are the 4 Top Sellers on this CD.
You will find the vocal style of Rebeka Keough, "The Lord's Prayer" vocalist, and Karen Carpenter to be very similar. In fact, after Rebeka cut her vocal track in the studio, I changed my thought of arranging this song in jazz trio fashion to a pop style reminiscent of The Carpenters.
The song is now an international, runaway hit!
PRESS RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 1, 2009
In a world where independent recording artists are ignored and silenced, James Ranka has found a way to be heard.
His debut, Contemporary/Smooth Jazz CD, "God Is Cool" along with his follow-up, Christmas best-seller,
"A Cool Jazz Christmas", are making names for themselves, earning the right to enter the Contemporary, Smooth Jazz Garden of Eden.
The same "garden" where signed superstars like Spyro Gyra, David Benoit, and Bob James enjoy the exotic fruits gifted from the mythical music gods.
It's also the land of Independents--strongly-talented thousands of unknown GREAT recording artists who work, beg, borrow and steal to just own a shack among the mansions resident in this musical nirvana.
Leaving the metaphorical, mystical realm, check iTunes, Napster, Yahoo! Music, Rhapsody, and about 60 other international download sites for the numbers.
Digits don't fib and and their interpretation carve an incredible imprint on the rock of 21st. Century musical success for a very talented,
Contemporary Jazz Recording Artist.
His name?
James Ranka.
His debut CD?
"God Is Cool"--Now a HUGE seller and a mainstay at iTunes and here at CD Baby!
Go to the iTunes main page - in the upper right corner, type in any of the following (1)"Beautiful Savior", (2)"God is Love" - (Sharing the page with Marvin Gaye).
Also,(3)"God is Cool", (4)"Winds of Passion".
So why broadcast this news?
This popularity nosebleed section is nearly impossible to reach for an independent recording artist.
Consider:
James gets NO airplay
NO money for studio time
NO marketing (the biggie)
NO website support... the list goes on.
What does this all mean?
... IT MEANS THIS MUSIC IS WAY TOO COOL!
It also says, "give yourself a treat by listening NOW to the music samples!"
The title is an unlikely description of the music. James Ranka, a Christian artist, chose titles for the 10 song CD as a tribute to his faith, but the sound is similar to Kirk Whalum, Spyro Gyra, David Benoit...others.
Instrumentation Includes:
Saxophone
Guitars (electric, bass and acoustic)
Authentic drums/percussion
Piano and keyboards
The CD was produced, engineered and mixed by James, completed in August, 2003.
All songs were recorded at Destiny Productions, Ranka's commercial studio; mastered by Ernie Wells ( Eighth Note Productions) based in Houston, Texas. Ernie recently recorded Burt Bacharach's latest 'Greatest Hits' album!
Ranka's "friends" are all renowned jazz musicians including:
David Chionsini - Saxophones, keyboards
Tony Dupuis - Award-winning drummer
Danny Pemberton - Guitars
Although independently released in less than a year, rave reviews are the norm:
"What can I say about James Ranka? Music just flows from the man!" Robert Boggs, CBS Music Producer
"I find myself listening to this CD over and over." Dudley Smith, CEO ICM Records
This album is mainly Smooth Jazz in genre, but it truly blends many other musical influences, including: Gino Vanelli, George Winston, Robert Lamm, Steely Dan, The Yellow Jackets and Spyro Gyra.
All songs are vibrant instrumentals with one exception. The final cut is James Ranka's version of the Lord's Prayer, a vocal song that occupies the #1 spot (jazz genre) on the international premier music download sites. Fast becoming a welcome alternative to the original, a Houston-based church Music Director remarked,"One day this song (Ranka's version of 'The Lord's Prayer') will be a standard used in every church in America."
Since Ranka debuted "God Is Cool" this gifted new artist has:
1. SIGNED A MAJOR DISTRIBUTION DEAL.
2. SIGNED A RADIO AIR-PLAY AGREEMENT.
3. RECEIVED FAVORABLE REVIEWS FROM MAJOR REVIEWERS.
4. SOLD MORE CDs THAN 90% OF NEW SMOOTH JAZZ ARTISTS' DEBUT ALBUM INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED.
Following are a few of the major reviews accumulated in less than 9 months since "God is Cool" was released.
"What can I say about James Ranka? Music just flows from the man."
--Robert Boggs, CBS Music Producer
"I listened over and over..."The Lord's Prayer is the 'coolest' interpretation of those words I have ever heard."
--Roxanne Davis
"Incredible music that goes beyond Smooth Jazz; this is a journey."
--Grant Johnston, The West Coast Music Observer
"Smooth Jazz has found a new star; his name is James Ranka."
--Michael Woods
"If you like Smooth Jazz you will love "God Is Cool". This is truly an emotional journey from the first cut to the last."
--The Orange Leader
"Occasionally a new artist has the ability to change the landscape of a music genre. All one needs do is listen to this CD one time to hear the refreshing difference. Amazing production! James Ranka is the next David Benoit."
--Thomas Bell, Boston Chops
"Talent given to only a few and used to create a masterpiece. James Ranka is an incredible pianist... a MUST buy!
--The Austin American-Statesman
JAMES RANKA
James is a composer, pop keyboardist, pianist, arranger, and engineer/producer. Although a part of many other albums as composer, producer, keyboardist, "God is Cool" is James Ranka's debut album.
ABOUT THE TITLE
"A young, talented guitarist had recently joined my home church.
Asked by a church member why he joined, the young musician replied,
'Because I think God is cool'.
Spoken with true sincerity, the vernacular made a lasting impression.
Jazz music is often described as "cool", and as God infused a love of jazz in me, "God is Cool" represents a gift I want to share with ALL Smooth Jazz lovers."
...James Ranka
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