A great production is accomplished when a great producer has good songs, great artists/musicians and engineering to capture the great performance by all the artists. When that is done you can have something that is truly magical. "From The Heart", the latest CD from Robert Greenidge has all the above ingredients.
From The Heart - in addition to displaying RG's deft skills as a one of the world's most gifted panists, equally showcases his impressive talents as a song writer of songs for the pan instrument. The songs are solid, thoughtful and moving. Robert's lead playing is soft, clean, alive, unpretentious and makes serious melodic statements. My favorite track is Kiss Kiss Kiss - which for me demonstrates the different possibilities for the steel pan instrument.
Equally important and not to be overlooked of course is the fact From The Heart was produced by Ralph MacDonald and Robert Greenidge. This is indeed a pan CD, however the pan instruments are neither overbearing nor apologetic in presence. Moreover the natural beauty of the instrument and Robert's command of instrument playing shines through. Moving seamlessly through an array of time signatures, music genres, and voices From The Heart shows that the pan instrument in the hands of capable producers/artists, can accompany, lead, or backup while leaving its own indomitable stamp on the production.
Listening to the CD one quickly realizes it is indeed From The Heart. Great work - from the great Robert Greenidge.