Highly acclaimed guitarist, multi-talented producer and songwriter Ronny Jordan was born in London in 1962 of Jamaican parents. Ronny’s earliest influences were based in the gospel music. The son of a preacher, he heard the music of "The Soul Stirrers" and Andre Crouch almost immediately. He taught himself to play the guitar at the age of 4, and his first performances were in London with different gospel groups. 

Ronny counts among his influences Keith Jarrett, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Grant Green and Roy Ayers. He is acknowledged as one of the "initial pioneers of the global acid jazz movement". His music is a initial example of the fusion of smooth jazz, acid jazz, hip-hop and funk that helped formulate the acid jazz movement. His finally breakthrough was his appearance on Guru's album Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1, on which Ronny was the featured guitarist.

Ronny Jordan's story started with "The Antidote" in 1992. The title means "a cure". Ronny did most of the instrumentals on this album: guitar, keyboards, synths, basslines, additional drum programming and voice scats. Definetly the most played tune is "After Hours", a timeless smooth jazz beauty. The single "So What" had a tremendous success in the pop charts. If you like a mixture of some rap and Ronny 's smooth sounding guitar, this is album is a good choice.

His second album "Quiet Revolution" (1993) underpined Ronny success. "Slam In A Jam" is my favorite, a smooth jazz instrumental with a funky hip-hop rhythm. "Come With Me" also has its special charme. This album has some edges. Ronny is masterly mixing contemporary jazz, hip-hop, rap, acid jazz, smooth jazz, pop and even straight jazz.

After a period the long-wished third album "Light To Dark" appeared in 1996.  First time Ronny adds some Urban Contemporary influenced pieces like "It's You", "I See You" or "Fooled". No rap or acid jazz anymore. My favorites are smooth jazz  instrumentals like "Closer Than Close" or songs like "Deep In Your Heart". The album earned several awards. But the great success stayed away. It was the last album Ronny played in for Island Records.

A new label, a new sound. With his first album at Blue Note Records "A Brighter Day" (2000) Ronny tries to use the smooth jazz wave to renew his earlier success. For smooth jazz fans this album is a real gemm:

"...its good to hear RJ back to what he does best, the soulfully jazzy instrumentals of The Antidote/The Quite Revolution as compared to the more mainstream orientated stuff of Light to Dark. Which, while having some cool tracks was a bit of a wandering from the righteous path of ultimate
musicalgineering."

Willy

Yes, his guitar play is still impressing all fans. This album displays the virtuosity and range of his musical genius:
One can hear scratching as on "Mackin" or Latin jazz as "Mambo Inn" and "Rio" or world music as "New Delhi", some straight jazz as "5/8 In Flow". My favorite: "Mystic Voyage" featuring Roy Ayers' vibes.

Ronny's second album for Blue Notes "Off The Record" (2001) is well accepted:

"Off The Record" is not a smooth jazz album, nor is it a straight ahead album. It's a sugar free, urban sounding record."

"... Jordan demonstrates mind-bending versatility...an intriguing ride through street grooves, retro soul, film noir intrigue and more... "

Jazz Times (12/01, p.112) 

First of all this album is a return to urban contemporary   ("Intro - Get Ready" featuring Love-Child, "Keep Your Head Up", "Once Or Twice", "Ronny, You Talk To Much"). Avoidable: noise as "Toe Jam". My personal favorites: instrumentals as "On The Record"  or "Off The Record". Others share my opinion:

"Another nice tune that was sent to me recently was the new Ronny Jordon
produced by DJ Spinna on Blue Note. the A side "on the record" is typical jazz house (perhaps even "Dad house")...but the flip "off the record is truly wicked. It drops with a slow (65bpm) downtempo groove and Jordan's slick guitar licks, but as the song progresses a double time rhythm slowly reveals itself. I love songs that exist in in two tempos!"

Chris Widman

Ronny considers this album as his most potent one. It's time for a live album, Ronny!