Jose Luis Ajzenmesser - LA GUAGUA Radio - Buenos Aires, Argentina

In the world of popular music, it is not easy to find artists like Eric Frazier who have different facets (percussionist, composer, singer, dancer and director.)  These qualities permit him to develop excellent music in his CDs, and generate a climate for the other musicians to shine (very good work by the pianist.)  The sound of the congas is integrated in a wonderful way, and I am surprised by the quality and warmth of Frazier’s voice.  It gave me enormous pleasure to listen to his music and I wish for the experience to be repeated.

Jose Luis Ajzenmesser - LA GUAGUA Radio - Buenos Aires, Argentina
no es facil encontrar en el mundo de la buena musica popular, artistas como eric frazier con diferentes facetas(percusionista, compositor,cantante, bailarin, director).estas cualidades le permiten desarrollar excelentes propuestas, como sus cds en vivo generando climas donde consigue un perfecto ensamble entre sus musicos, dando tambien espacio para que cada uno de ellos pueda lucirse(muy bueno el trabajo de la pianista).el toque de sus congas se integra al sonido del grupo de manera equilibrada y para finalizar me sorprendio la calidad y calidez de su voz. me dio un enorme placer difundir su musica. ojala se repita



Eric Frazier - Live @ Cecil’s Jazz Club

By D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz

Eric Frazier is percussionist, conguero, singer and leader of a quintet featuring Gene Chee on tenor sax with Larry Williams (d), Quintin Franklin (b) and Yoichi Izeki (p). They are performing live at Cecil's in West Orange, NJ. They split the show into two CDs. Volume 1 has eight selections including three vocals. We enjoyed their take on Coltrane's "Impressions" and Frazier's "Celia" over the vocal tracks. Volume 2 is the same lineup as Volume 1 at Cecil's but performing different selections. There are seven cuts including four vocals, highlighted by "All Blues". The best of the vocals is Frazier's own "Like A Lion In The Serengeti". Again we preferred the instrumentals. The program material is excellent on both discs including "Night In Tunisia", "Cantaloupe Island", "Route 66", "Caravan" and "Chameleon". Frazier and his team do a great job with it but don't equal the power of the originals.

 

Eric Frazier - Live at Cecil's (review)

By Chris Spector, Midwest Record

There are other contemporary conga drummers beside Pablo Sanchez, you know. This cat has taken a circuitous route around the music world to finally wind up with a smart combo that knows how to kick it out live as these two sets show quite well. Giving a revamping to a load of standards and classics, everyone is here to play and everyone is having a grand time. Two sets of joyful ,hard charging jazz, done up straight ahead and with four on the floor. Time for you to get to know this cat.

 

Percussionist Eric Frazier displays many talents on new album

by Zan Stewart/The Star-Ledger
Tuesday August 18, 2009, 11:38 AM

Conga drummer and percussionist Eric Frazier also has a vocal side, and he exhibits all of his talents on his new album, "Live @ Cecil's Jazz Club" (Eric Frazier Productions). Frazier displays his conga prowess on instrumentals like "A Night in Tunisia" and "Caravan," and digs into such vocals as "The Glory of Love" and "Cheek to Cheek." The CD also includes saxophonist Gene Ghee and pianist Yoichi Uzeki.

   

The Eric Frazier Quintet - Live @ Cecil's Jazz Club (Vol. 1 and 2)

By Rotcod Zzaj

I'm not sure why this didn't get released as a double CD... instead, it's 2 separate CD packages... but, no matter, the music is still excellent and packed with high-flying jazz energy! His conga drumming, vocals & percussion are par excellence, flawlessly executed & more punctual than a metronome. He is joined by Gene Ghee on tenor sax, piano from Yoichi Uzeki, Quentin Franklin's bass & drums from Larry Williams. Both volumes feature at least 1 original from Eric, and as is my tradition, that's what I listened to first... unfortunately, there was only one volume with samples available for direct download (on AMAZON - pesky CD BABY, anyway...), so the track I listened to first was "Like A Lion In The Serengeti"... an "instant hit" for my ears, so to speak... some great vocals by Eric (I believe - since nobody else was listed as doing vocals), & it jumps!

Back on Volume 1, Uzeki's keyboards are superb on "Celia" (remember, no samples on CD Baby, & this CD wasn't on Amazon), & Ghee's tenor synchs right along... it's a real ride, for sure! "Knowbody Knows Me" was party time, to be sure, but it was track 2 on Volume 2, "Cantaloupe Island" (a Hancock/Jackson/Maupin/Mason tune) that got my vote for absolute favorite, especially with the emphasis on Frazier's percussion because of the arrangement of this swingin' tune! If you're down in the dumps a bit & want some music to minister to your spirit with a prescription for fun, you'll want to get these CD's... they get a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me with our new "energy quotient" rating of 4 1/2 (5 is highest, 1 low). Get more information at www.ericfraziermusic.com