For those unaware, inherently jazz is about collaboration, the sum of the whole being greater than the parts due to the magic that results from improvisation when the chemistry amongst the musicians is right.

That’s the approach jazz fusion guitarist Ron Bosse took to record Burning Room Only. The Boston-based fretman hooked up with Grammy-winning fusion icon, keyboardist Jeff Lorber, to write and record the eleven-song set produced by Lorber that drops October 28th, 2022 on the Deep Cat Records label.

Bosse views Burning Room Only as a mindset. Yes, musicians love to describe scorching performances as “burning,” and that certainly applies to the masterful musicianship on display throughout this collection, but Bosse takes the meaning deeper.

1. Bossman
2. Power Drive
3. Strutter
4. Checkin’ In
5. Kiss The Sky
6. Rumble Strip
7. Aerodynamic
8. Event Horizon
9. Ante Up
10. DNA
11. Deep Cat

This radiantly flourishing new recording opens on the heartbeat of the album, the groovy, free flowing funk of Bossman (his longtime nickname) and the majestically intricate Power Drive and then comes the refined, smooth jazz vibe of Strutter, the funky, bass-laden grooves within Checkin’ In are next, before we are then brought the beautiful melodic hipsway of Kiss The Sky.

Along next is the funky-veined, rock-edged Rumble Strip (which was also the first track on the album that Snarky Puppy saxophonist Bob Reynolds recorded for Bosse), which is itself backed by a gently frenetic, urban lean found within Aerodynamic (my goodness, just listening to his fingers do the talking makes me exhausted!), the groove-oriented Event Horizon, the album rounding out on the infectiously engaging Ante Up, the colorfully creative DNA, closing all too soon on the cool mood-imbued Deep Cat (named after John Williams).

Over the course of fourteen months, Bosse spent hours talking to Lorber about the funky contemporary jazz grooves, intense rock fusion explorations and compelling melodies they were creating. Led by the guitarist’s remarkably proficient and alacritous finger work, the set that Bosse and Lorber crafted is a team effort with this formidable team featuring some real “burners.”

Lorber deploys nimble keyboard harmonies and unleashes fiery solos. Drummer Gary Novak (George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Chick Corea) anchors the beats with precision, locking into the bass lines etched by Ben Shepherd, Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets), Frenchman Hadrien Feraud, or the colorfully experimental MonoNeon (Prince).

Robust horn section arrangements by David Mann add muscle and might, with two saxophonists – the Yellowjackets’ Bob Mintzer and Snarky Puppy’s Bob Reynolds – harnessing soul, power and passion in spotlight solos.

“When I first began the process of recording this album with Jeff, I immediately noticed that we shared similar values in that we feel that all aspects of the production require a high level of attention and detail. Not only is it about the songs, it’s about the orchestration, it’s about the musicians, the solos, the way it’s recorded, how it’s mixed and mastered, the album artwork, the song titles. One of the things I think about when reflecting on the process of writing and recording the album is how collaboration can yield a result far more unique than going it alone, especially if you put the right people together,” Bosse reflects.

“This time period has been one of the most prolific for me which is a true testament to the power of collaboration. My most memorable experience throughout the process of recording this album is the camaraderie and connection with the musicians involved. It’s these personal experiences that really mean the world to me.”

Aerodynamic (feat. Jeff Lorber)

Bossman (feat. MonoNeon, Jeff Lorber & Gary Novak)

Official Website

Ron Bosse @ Instagram

Ron Bosse @ YouTube