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Gargantuan Gurus

by Richard D. Ruttenberg

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rabbi_aryel
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rabbi_aryel Richard's album is the perfect background music as I watch the progress of the Beresheet lunar lander on its journey to the moon. Perfect music for this momentous event. Coincidence? There is no such thing as "coincidence"! Favorite track: Bisous pour Lilou.
Joseph Thompson
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Joseph Thompson I waited with baited breath for Gargantuan Gurus to be released, and boy was I NOT disappointed Richard D. has really pulled out all the stops on this one! The album takes your mind on a proper journey. One minute you are in the English countryside the next wandering an African plain and then zooming off into deep space. The production as always is out of this world, bang on the money and the contributing artists have all played their part too putting in some incredible work!
Favorite track: Bump Boom Bayng!.
Shlomo Silverman
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Shlomo Silverman Richard and his gang of incredible musical talent write soundtracks for our lives. Their incredible musical compositions consistently reflect emotional highs and lows, peace, and ecstasy. Thumping grooves move your feet, and they are both subtle or in your face with skillful mastery.
Ruttenberg fusion moves you forward, and guides the listener like a loving hand, and then opens a can of whup ass on you when the mood strikes like a lighting bolt of grease hitting the dance floor.
Favorite track: Bump Boom Bayng!.
Nick Wexler
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Nick Wexler This is my second purchase from Richard D. Ruttenberg and I love it. I love the funky beats and the great synth lines and sounds. The guitar playing is great too as are all the musicians on this album.
It is not simply lots of heavy driving beats. There is a lot here and I’m certain I will discover more and more as I listen to this album many more times. The music is interesting and it combines the elements of electronic music with electric jazz to make for a seductive brew of sounds. What I guess I’m trying to say is that all the tracks hold my interest. Great playing and wonderful production. I highly recommend Gargantuan Gurus. Thank you, Richard and friends.
baque
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baque Always on the look out for music that defies categorisation. Funk grooves, rock guitar, ambient textures – it's just great, quality music. Somewhat reminiscent of a soundtrack to a movie I haven't seen yet. Favorite track: DEFS **.
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  • Full Digital Discography

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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Cold Fusion, Harmolodic Odyssey, RAVIV 6000, Life Force, Prisoners of Time, VIBRATIONS, Whispers Between Worlds, Green Flash, and 13 more. , and , .

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1.
2.
3.
4.
Dr. Sawatari 06:46
5.
6.
DarZ Vinda 03:56
7.
DEFS ** 05:17
8.
9.
JOEZILLA 06:50
10.
Vita Fait 01:25
11.
Fatuus 05:36
12.
Strutt Innit 04:36
13.
14.
15.
16.
Vogue Sababa 00:35

about

Endorsements:

ALAN CHILDS, longtime drummer for David Bowie, Julian Lennon, John Waite et al writes: "Ruttenberg and band are Groovy. I mean the groove is spacey, worldly & on the money. Early Herbie (sextant) & electric Miles come to mind. Beautiful! Check it out. "

CLAUDE SAMARD POLIKER, former classmate at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, award winning composer for film and games, and longtime multi instrumentalist with Jean Michel Jarre writes: "Richard's music is an original thinker's blend of all of the early influences I like as a musician; Miles Davis, John Mclaughlin, but completely modern with 2019 style production values and hip, savvy musicianship. Richard is a sophisticated composer/ arranger without being pretentious. I dig this album and the band members who play with him".

ZORO, world famous drummer for Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Brown, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, New Edition, Jodi Watley, Phillip Bailey, Lisa Marie Presley, Sean Lennon has referred to Ruttenberg as "my favorite drummer when we were students together at the Berklee College of Music".

JAMIE GLASER, best known for his guitar work on Seinfeld, Saved By The Bell, Married... with Children. He has recorded and toured with Bryan Adams, Jean Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, The Manhattan Transfer, Lenny White et al. Jamie says, "Richard writes in his description of Gargantuan Gurus delightful people enter into your life, even if briefly, and that makes all the difference. He has been able to express that very thing with his new release. Melodies that playfully come in and out, backed by a funk that doesn't knock you over but makes you wanna move. Though I haven't heard all the tracks yet, there are already moments worth the price of admission. Nice harmonies, musical interplay that is honest and a sense that a human being wrote this stuff instead of a person sitting around with loops calling whatever happens music. I guess I'm known as a fusion guy though I've tried to fight that stereotype for more than a couple reasons for the last decades, not that I'm not proud of the stuff I've been blessed to do, just that fusion has only been the vehicle that gave me a name , no one knows or cares who is playing on Seinfeld or Superbowl., and it's me., but I can safely say that Richard has respectfully made a "fusion" record here worth listening to. This music deserves a listen by anyone who enjoys expression".

BARRY FINNERTY, guitarist for Miles Davis, The Brecker Brothers, The Crusaders et al writes: "This record is Guru-vy"!

KEN KARSH, jazz guitarist extraordinaire for Eric Kloss, Bobby McFerrin et al writes: “Richard Ruttenberg paints musically surreal textures that groove! I have loved being an occasional contributor as a improvising performer over those wonderful musical textures.”

About the album:

The title of this album has meaning in that there are people in my life that have made a huge impact upon me and helped shape my perception of a much better world. Life is not easy and when one takes on unexpected responsibilities, their entire life changes. But, that is when little miracles happen. Delightful people enter into your life, even if briefly, and that makes all the difference. Little baby Lilou, for example, was only months old when I encountered her, her mum, and grandma in a swimming pool. They were teaching her to swim under water and to hold her breath as she swam from one to the other. This terrified me. I asked to hold the baby. Her mum happily let me take her and it was love from that moment on. Lilou would then reach for me the next day and each time I held her was precious. I gave her hugs and kisses, and the song Bisous pour Lilou was born. I wish her a life of wonderment and beautiful discoveries all the way through. Dr. Yoh Sawatari of Jackson Memorial Hospital is another example of a refined, incredible soul. I had a problem with my jaw and needed surgery. He took excellent care of me and the surgery went very well. A few months later, my jaw fractured out of the blue and again, he took excellent care of me and made everything comfortable for me. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all he has done. A great man. A gargantuan guru in his own right, believe me.

These are just two examples of unexpected surprises one encounters in life. There are many more, including my executive producer, Sherry Mandel Podobnik and producer Susan K. Nakamura. These two wonderful women made this album possible. I am grateful. The musicians on this recording are special people, all of them. Their genius and their playing within the context of the songs, illuminate each track with exactly what I intend to put forth...meaningful music. Thanks guys...you are all worth your weight in gold. All of these cats are gargantuan in their talent!

Special mentions:

Thanks to Reb Aryel Nachman ben Chaim, aka The Ranbach, who never fails to help with photography (he made sure my cd art design fit the requirements necessary to go forward in post production replication of physical cd's).

Special thanks to my Mum Sandy Bennett Ruttenberg who is the most kindhearted soul I've ever encountered on this earth. Her disposition, even now, as age begins to creep in, remains pleasant. Her doctor even commented that when his patients get to be this age, they tend to be aggravated or annoyed with the world, but not my sweet Mumsy! He complimented her on her cheerful nature. I agree. She smiles sweetly and people respond to her and love her. She is a treasure to be respected and she is to be well taken care of every day. I love you, Mumsy!

This cd album is dedicated to my niece, Rachel A. Petro. I am so in love with this wonderful girl. She is now 13 years old and she is chock full of smarts, talent, and sensitivity. She has always been wise beyond her years and she will find her way in life just like the rest of us. Ever since we watched Little Bear cartoons and held hands when she was an infant, I have been crazy about this adorable young woman. Darling niece, please remember that blue skies are always just ahead. The Sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar! Love you baby girl. Kisses!

credits

released March 2, 2019

Track Titles:
1. Gargantuan Gurus
2. Bisous pour Lilou
3. Bump Boom Bayng!
4. Dr. Sawatari
5. Primitive Chic
6. DarZ Vinda
7. DEFS **
8. Baad King Kohen
9. JoeZilla
10. Vita Fait
11. Fatuus
12. Strutt Innit
13. Levinsky's Jubilee
14. Zeyde @ Wo Hops!
15. Tishmah Habibi
16. Vogue Sababa

Personnel:
VINNIE ZUMMO - guitars, bass, chromatic harp, vocals & co-writer on (4,5,6,7,8,12,15). Vinnie is a pro's pro and his genius is limitless.

JOE BERGER - guitars (1,3,10). Joe mastered the entire album at JoeZilla Studios in Akihabara Japan. Joe is the friendliest cat I know. He is always helpful, and his searing guitar chops and musicality are top shelf, baby!

EDDIE KOHEN - bass (3,4,8) This cat is a very special musician. He is one of my secret weapons in making music sound meaningful. That's right, Eddie, you are BAAD!

KEITH "PLEX" BARNHART - Synth keys solo (1). Keith was my roommate at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He is a creative freaking monster. He is also the only guy who can yell at me and I'll take it because I respect him so very much. Hey Keith, "get away from me"!

ANDREW AUSTIN - bass (5). Andrew is a proper Englishman with the soul of a Teddy Pendergrass on bass. I never know what the hell is he talking about, ever ha ha! It's true...he's one of these avant gard super Whiz' who are just in their own world and it is a great place to visit!

RICHARD D. RUTTENBERG - Composer all tracks: Bosendorfer Piano, Modulus 002, Korg Karma, Elektron Analog 4V, Arp Odyssey, drums on all songs. Mixed all tracks at Raviv Records Int'l.

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Richard D. Ruttenberg

Richard D. Ruttenberg is a film scorer and recording artist. Educated at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, his bands RiZe & Delicate Droids are both signed to Superfreq Records. "Four Beats and Some Sweets" & "Orgasm Raygun" are both available @ Beatport worldwide. He is also signed to STARKFutures Recordings. World renown guitarist Barry Finnerty proclaims him "The king of atmosphere". ... more

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