Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Fresh Aire 1
Though this is the first of the Fresh Aire series, I hesitate to recommend it as anyone's introduction to the series. Primarily that's because the album hasn't aged too well, and the synthesizers sounds that may have worked great in the 1970s now sound a little cheesy (also, the recording quality, though once a benchmark for audiophiles, now seems a little weak.) Having said that, composer Chip Davis surpringly displays more musical talent here than on some of his most recent efforts. "Chocolate Fudge" is a great high energy track to get things going. "Mist" is a short, but sweet finale, and "Sonata" is one of the most classically inspired pieces ever heard on a Fresh Aire album. The album's tone is somewhat mellow, due in large part to solo piano interludes (there are 4 here, unlike on the later FA albums where there were only one, if any.) Listen closely to the interludes, and you'll see Chip is using a pattern (the first interlude uses a 4 note pattern, second is 3 notes, 3rd is 2 notes, and 4 is just one note.) There are other subtle things like this that make the album a bit more interesting. Listen to "Sara's Band" for example. Slow it down, and you have "Embers" from Fresh Aire 4, (and you also the ending to "Stille Nacht" from their famous Christmas album.) Of course, most of this is irrelevant to anyone other than the diehard fans. Definitely recommended, but I'd suggest starting with one of the later Fresh Aires (#6 or 7 are both excellent. #2 is also quite good, being similar in tone to this album, but more polished.)
Rating:  - Mannheim Steamroller's Debut
As a young Chip Davis fan, I grew up listening to his first early albums. At the time I remember them as being absolutely incredible, but revisiting them some 20 years later has changed my perception on a lot of these releases.Fresh Aire I is still one of the better in the series. It's a very mellow CD that's great for evening listens. Very pretty stuff. Historically, its groundbreaking too; the mix of Old World music with contemporary instrumentation, and Chip's love of the latest musical technology put this group all alone when this was released. On record, it was an audiophiles dream. The best example on the disc is the inventive introduction, Prelude/Chocolate Fudge, that sounds just like it's "Classical Rock" description. Their are several drawbacks to the album, chiefly of all is that it sounds dated. The pioneering sound means that many studio effects and synthesizers used have since become extinct. Also, not a single one of the interludes is very musically interesting (generally only one line of melody in each one) and 4 of them on one album gets tedious; they might as well be the same track. Perhaps not an eternal album, it's still a solid start to an interesting musical journey.
Rating:  - Thanks to American Gramaphone for this piece of mellow music
Dear American Gramaphone,My family likes hearing your Fresh aire music including me. My family and I appreciate the tallent you've put into your Fresh Aire series! and especially the Christmas albums. We like all the tracks on this album including Sanata, Sarah's Band, Fresh Air, and Mist. Speaking of that! I also have Fresh Aire five. This is the best album I have had ever since 1998. My family is thankfull for you Chip Davis, and Manheim Steamroller. This album has been amung my music collection and has remained there for a long time. Thank you, American Gramaphone for this. This deserves the actual ten stars. You are honored as part of my families music. Sincerely Jonathon Taylor
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