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May
- June,
2001
CD Reviews
INSTRUMENTAL
REVIEWS
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PEKKA
POHJOLA
Views
(Pohjola)
Listen to
RealAudio sample: Metropolitan
An
original from the heyday of the ‘70s European jazz-rock scene,
bassist/composer/arranger Pekka Pohjola just released Views, his
first solo album in quite some time. Back in the mid ‘70s, Pohjola just
about single-handedly invented what came to be known as Finnish
progressive symphonic rock. His early albums, (including the ‘76 classic Keesojen Lehto produced
by Mike Oldfield) were released in the U.K. on Virgin Records back when
the label was in the process of growing an exclusively progressive rock
label with groups like Henry Cow, Mike Oldfield, Wigwam (another great
Finland group co-founded by Pohjola) and Gong. Recording over a dozen
incredible instrumental rock albums, in Finland over the past nearly 28
years, Pohjola now further diversifies his sound with the eclectic,
cosmopolitan and jazzy / classical sounds of Views. Compared to his
hard hitting rocked-out albums of the ‘80s, the sound on Views could
be considered a toning down of the rock-solid guitar-based Pohjola sound
boldly witnessed on ‘80s classics like Urban Tango and Space
Waltz. Instead, the sophisticated harmonies on Views focuses on
Pohjola’s innate skills as a jazz and pop-classical composer-arranger. A
number of musicians help take Pohjola’s symphonic sound to the next
level including long time Pohjola group members, keyboardist Seppo
Kantonen and guitarist Markku Kanerva. With it’s heavy accent
on strings and brass arrangements, Views takes a good look back to
Pohjola’s trend-setting second album, released on Virgin in England back
in ‘75 with the title B The Magpie. In fact the only song to
feature a guitar here is a really different-sounding, Zappa-inspired track
entitled "The Red Porsche". The first pop vocal track featured
on a Pohjola disc since the early ‘80s, the song features a few hot
vocalists singing the original lyrics (in english) taken from a poem
written (and reprinted here) by Charles Bukowski. Views makes
for some pleasant listening indeed. It might not be the album you expected
from Pekka (well, what is?), but the music is (still) so good, you just
can’t help but enjoy it. www.rockadillo.fi
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THE ATLANTICS
Flight Of The
Surf Guitar
(Atlantics)
Listen
to RealAudio sample: Flight
Of The Surf Guitar
Around 1963, the same
time as The Shadows were still topping the charts in the U.K. and The
Ventures were becoming a surf-rock dynasty in the States, The Atlantics
were all the rage in their native Australia. Signed to Columbia Records
down under, the guitar instrumental group recorded numerous hits such as
"The Crusher" and "Rumble And Run". All but unknown
here in the U.S., The Atlantics recently reformed in 2000 and released
their first album since 1970. Three of the group’s original members
including Bosco Bosanac (bass), Peter Hood (drums) and Jim
Skiathitis (guitar) have now joined forces with newcomer Martin
Cilia (guitar). Interestingly, Cilia really shines in his role as both
album producer and the composer of most of the new tracks here. In
addition to fourteen new Atlantics originals are remakes of three of their
most popular vintage tracks including their biggest hit "Bombora".
Commenting on the current revival of interest in The Atlantics, bassist
Bosanac comments, "It has a wide appeal. You can turn it down for
easy listening, or turn it up loud and it will blow you out of the
room." One listen to the exciting instro guitar sound of Flight Of
The Surf Guitar confirms that The Atlantics have returned in a big
way. www.theatlantics.com
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NORTH STAR
Tempest
(Space Monster Optical Entertainment)
Progressive, instrumental
symphonic rock music has been all the rage since the days of albums like
the first ELO album or Fragile by Yes, yet it has rarely been done
better than the most recent album from Pennsylvania-based North Star.
Starting out way back in the mid ‘70s, the early North Star lineup
featured founding members Dave Johnson (guitar, bass) and Glenn
Leonard (drums). By the close of the ‘70s, Kevin Leonard was
added to the lineup which by then also featured Joe Newman (bass,
vocals). On the group’s first 2000 album, Newman takes leave of his lead
vocal chores, making Tempest an all-instrumental effort. Clocking
in at just under an hour, Tempest is without a doubt one of the
finest instrumental prog-rock albums in recent memory. The intricate,
elaborate compositions from the Leonard brothers and guitarist Johnson
really take flight and the musicianship is a marvel to behold. Newman also
appears playing sitar on the raga-rock flavored "Raudra". If Tempest
is a sign of things to come from North Star, music lovers are in for a
real treat indeed. In addition to a dazzling performance, Tempest also
features fantastic album artwork. www.audiogalaxy.com/bands/northstar
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LARRY CARLTON & STEVE
LUKATHER
No
Substitutions
(Favored Nations)
A recorded souvenir of
the Carlton/Lukather November ‘98 tour of Japan, No Substitutions is
a guitar lovers dream come true. Carlton, one of the legends of the L.A.
session scene, has recorded with everyone from Joni Mitchell to Steely
Dan, while Lukather is best known for his guitar work in Toto as well as
string of fine solo albums. Recorded in Osaka, Japan, No Substitutions finds
the pair backed by top players such as Gregg Bissonette (drums), Chris
Kent (bass) and Rick Jackson (keyboards). Kicking the CD off
with a fifteen minute cover of the Jeff Beck classic "The
Pump", Larry & Luke also tackle the Miles Davis favorite
"All Blues" as well as three Carlton originals. Although more
moody and atmospheric than most jazz-rock, No Substitutions comes
nowhere near to being smooth jazz. Both Carlton and Lukather literally
play their axes off while the album sizzles with a sense of immediacy
confirmed by the whoops and hollers of the Osaka crowd, who are clearly
savoring every moment. Perhaps the album is best summed up by Favored
Nations label chief Steve Vai when he states, "This is the
kind of music that real guitar lovers live for. These guys have a touch on
their instruments and a musical awareness that is both uncanny yet
accessible to listeners of all kinds of music." Some of the hottest
guitar work ever recorded by these two legends, No Substitutions is
topped off by eye-catching artwork and mutually praising liner notes by
both Carlton and Lukather. www.favorednations.com
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JEFF BECK
You Had It Coming
(Epic)
After nearly four decades as
one of the reigning guitar kings of the rock and jazz-rock world, U.K.
fretboard ace Jeff Beck returns in 2001 with a vital new album. Unlike his
blues-rock and fusion albums from the late ‘60s and mid ‘70s, the recently
released You Had It Coming grabs you by the neck with a startling high
tech sound and refuses to let you come up for air. While Beck’s ‘99 Epic
Records album, Who Else! featured a number of long time Beck
cohorts, including Jan Hammer and Tony Hymas, You Had It Coming makes
the best of his current group of Jennifer Batten (guitars) Randy
Hope-Taylor (bass), Steve Alexander (drums) and Aiden Love (programming).
In the spirit of it’s predecessor, You Had It Coming is a penetrating
effort that often amazes with it’s sheer brute force of sound. According to
the guitar ace, "I view technology as a friend - there’s no use messing
around with enemies. I first ran across some electronic music 30 years ago,
and I assumed it would be coming along much sooner than it did. I thought,
"If only you could get that sound on a guitar." While most of the
album borders on a high-tech non-stop over the top sound, there are a few
tracks ("Blackbird", "Suspension", "Rosebud")
that do let you catch your breath. Beck’s recording of "Nadia",
composed by Indian musician Nitin Sawhney, is simply beautiful. There’s
also a fruitful remake of the Cream/Muddy Waters classic "Rollin’ And
Tumblin’" featuring vocals by Imogen Heap. If you enjoyed Who
Else! you’ll definitely dig You Had It Coming. If not, then you
can always (still) have a rave-up with his ‘60s albums with The Yardbirds
and you can pick up on newly remastered reissues of his ‘70s classics, Wired
and Blow By Blow, which have just been reissued
by Legacy Records. www.epicrecords.com
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PROJECT 7
Birth/Death/Infinity
(DSB)
Anyone who remembers the
1969 John McLaughlin album Devotion should give a listen to the
most recent album from Long Island-based guitarist Dan Begelman.
Recorded at various studios in the N.Y. Tri-state area and released at the
tail end of the ‘90s, Birth/Death/Infinity finds Begelman
supported by a crew of fine players including John DeCesare (bass)
and Tony Gallino (drums). Begelman demonstrates a creative touch on
electric and acoustic guitars, Axon guitar synth and bass, while also
proving his worth as an ingenious composer with a flair for composing
lengthy pieces of progressive instrumental wonder. The 10+ minute title
track affords Begelman & company the latitude to stretch their musical
muscles. The CD sounds incredible thanks to the superior production by
Begelman and Victor Deyglio. When asked about his musical
influences the guitarist adds, "Jeff Beck and John McLaughlin. I
think that shows up on the CD. My first CD is kinda close to Blow By
Blow by Jeff Beck. Blues players, like Johnny Winter is a big
influence. I play classical guitar as well. As a matter of fact, I just
wrote a seven string guitar book, a method book for how to play seven
string guitar." Another high point on Birth/Death/Infinity is
a rocked out instrumental cover of The Yardbirds ‘65 classic
"For Your Love" which reflects Begelman’s melodic approach to
progressive jazz-rock instrumental music. Also worth checking out is
Begelman’s first solo album with Project 7 entitled Lost For Words.
www.project7.net
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CURTIS
Room
137
(If 6 Was 9)
Continuing his phenomenal
capacity to integrate jazz, rock and even pop instrumental and soundtrack
music, California-based guitarist Curtis Fornadley returns with his new
album. The cryptically titled Room 137 recommences the fine
fretboard work featured on the guitarist’s self-titled ‘99 release.
Curtis often cites a number of influences on his playing and composing -
from Jeff Beck and Hendrix to the moody atmospherics of David Gilmour and
Pink Floyd. On that front, Curtis does not disappoint with Room 137. Recorded
in L.A. at the end of 2000, Room 137 finds Curtis in fine company
with Scott Shepherd (drums) and Don Mouck (bass). Perhaps
the most intriguing thing about Room 137 is it’s wide range of
guitar sounds and styles. It’s got a jazzy feel, yet it’s firmly
anchored with an up-to-date, high-tech studio feel. It’s got a rock
vibe, yet it doesn’t waste notes and clearly benefits from added
attention to melody and arrangement that goes way beyond most instrumental
and heavy metal guitar CDs. Among the Curtis originals is a groovy cover
of the Duke Ellington favorite, "Caravan". Innovative
guitar music that rocks, rolls and moves your spirit, Room 137 further
establishes Curtis as a main player on the instrumental guitar front. www.curtisguitar.com
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VARIOUS ARTISTS
AXcavation
(Fossil)
Keeping the spirit of
progressive instrumental guitar-based music burning brightly, the recent
CD compilation from Illinois-based Fossil Records introduces music
fans to some outstanding, trailblazing guitarists. Already established
among fans of the genre, names like Goocher, Alien Cowboys and
Denis Taaffe are represented here alongside like-minded artists
such as Rod Laschanzky, The Franklin-Neumann Project and Project
Alcazar to name a few of the 14 artists here. AXcavation, subtitled
Fossil Records Instrumental Compilation 1, goes
a long way to giving these rising guitar heroes some well-deserved
exposure. Musically, AXcavation has little to do with New Age,
scorching heavy metal, smooth jazz or mainstream jazz. Instead the 14
track CD focuses on superb, progressive melodic guitar soundscapes. AXcavation
is a picturesque, thinking mans approach to instrumental rock - music
in search of a scenic backdrop. The one thing all these like-minded
guitar-based artists and groups have in common is a passion for their
guitar-driven instrumentals to really be listened to and above all, to be
taken seriously. With that in mind, AXcavation succeeds beyond all
expectations. Fans of 21st Century instrumental electric guitar music owe
it to themselves to hear AXcavation. www.fossilrecords.net
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CHASM
Panorhythmica
(Sticks & Stones)
To quote Albert Einstein
from one his sayings posted on the Chasm web site, "The most
beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious." One listen to
the latest CD from California-based Chasm substantiates Einstein’s
phrase perfectly. Filled with enticing musical imagery that skillfully
combines acoustic folk and jazz with various Latin-tinged sounds and even
some rock influences, Panorhythmica picks up from where the first
self-titled Chasm record left off. The group centers around the skillful
guitar wizardry of Mark Esakoff and the flute of Michael Whipple.
As relaxing as a warm breeze rolling in from the South Seas, Panorhythmica
is filled with 13 tracks of picturesque musical scenery. Esakoff
demonstrates his mastery on classical and acoustic slide guitars, Lute-tar
and ukulele while Whipple adds to the exotic backdrop with his impeccable
work on flute, recorder, stick, hand drums and various keyboard touches.
Assisting the pair are several guest artists appearing on bass, marimba
and percussion. When you feel like experiencing an exotic tropical
vacation without leaving your living room, Panorhythmica can
arrange the perfect audio getaway. www.sticks-stones.net
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LAIKA & THE
COSMONAUTS
Laika
Sex Machine
(Yep Roc)
Last year, Yep Roc
Records released the most recent studio album from Finland’s
legendary guitar-based instrumental rock group, Laika & The Cosmonauts
entitled Absurdistan. Now Yep Roc follows up that great CD with the
first live album from Laika. Featuring long time Cosmonauts Matti
Pitsinki (guitars) and Janne Haavisto (drums), Laika Sex
Machine captures 26 live tracks recorded by the group during the past
few years. Long considered one of Europe’s best surf-rock combos, Laika
brings a wealth of influences from film music, lounge and electronica to
the fore on Laika Sex Machine. In addition to long time favorites
from the group’s repertoire, Laika Sex Machine also showcases
rousing live Laika covers of classic music from Joe Meek ("Telstar"),
Laurie Johnson ("The Avengers") and Bobbie Gentry (an
adaptation of her ‘60s hit "Ode To Billy Joe" called
"Sauna-Soul"). Clocking in at over 75 minutes, Laika Sex
Machine proves why Laika is every bit as compelling before an audience
as they are in the studio. www.yeproc.com
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VARIOUS ARTISTS
Chinese
Checkers
(Wildebeest)
Subtitled A Tribute
To Memphis Soul Instrumentals, Chinese Checkers revisits
the great instrumentals recorded by Booker T. & The M.G.’s back
in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. A couple years back, Wildebeest Records
issued a top-notch surf-rock tribute disc to horn master Herb Alpert
and now the label has issued an equally cool thirteen cut homage to the
great Booker T. & Co. Some of the hottest up-and-coming names on the
guitar-based surf-rock scene are on hand here including Pollo del Mar (a
spellbinding cover of "Time Is Tight"), I Cosmonauti ("High
Ride"), Slackmates ("Green Onions") and The Tiki
Tones ("Chinese Checkers"). The great sounds Booker T.
brought to the instrumental music scene back in the ‘60s will live on
forever and the proof is in these time-honored covers featured on Chinese
Checkers. www.wildebeestrecords.com
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HURMIO
Instruducing
(Twang)
The latest CD from
Finland-based Hurmio continues in the finest tradition of guitar-based
European instrumental rock and pop. Playing vocal and instrumental music
together since the ‘70s, the quartet takes their sound to the next level
on the all-instrumental Instruducing and the results make the album
the group’s best yet. There are countless European groups who, still
inspired by The Shadows and Ventures, go on recording albums of original
guitar instrumentals and numerous covers of classics from years gone by.
After all, the reason that surf-rock instrumentals really took off in
Europe was that there were no vocals to translate. Even the Jewish
standard "Hava Nagila" was big in Finland, thanks to
instrumental guitar music! And so it goes since the late ‘50s.
Guitar-based instrumental music will never disappear. And with records
like Instruducing still being made, let’s hope it stays around
for a long time. www.hurmio.com
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VARIOUS ARTISTS
A Different
Prelude
(Decca)
The music on A
Different Prelude comes together in the space where New Age meets
classical. What we have here are eleven esteemed New Age musicians and
groups, such as Patrick O’Hearn and Val Gardena (still
featuring Chris James and Jeff Leonard) performing
classical pieces by icons like Bach, Chopin, Satie and
Gershwin with a contemporary vibe and at times, a new vision
altogether. The music on the album is accomplished with such subtlety and
grace that it’s nearly impossible not to be seduced by the languid and
appealing grooves. Produced by Dawn Atkinson (noted for her work
for the Windham Hill and Imaginary Roads imprints), A Different Prelude
also features sterling contributions from guitarist Steve Erquiaga,
Chris Botti (assisted by a full band including guitarist Dominic
Miller), keyboardist Clara Ponty (daughter of the great
Jean-Luc Ponty) and New Age favorite Tim Story. Clearly one of the
finest composite recordings of New Age and Classical music, A Different
Prelude admirably follows in the footsteps of A Different Mozart, an
album also released by the Universal Music Group in the late ‘90s.
www.universalclassics.com
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PATRICK O’HEARN
So Flows The
Current
(Patrickohearn.com)
North Carolina-based
music sculptor Patrick O’Hearn has been a main player on the New Age
music scene since the release of his solo debut on Private Music back in
‘85. In retrospect, many music lovers first tuned into Patrick’s
intriguing instrumental style on the first Group 87 album released way
back in 1980. Those early years of high density symphonic rock sounds have
been replaced by a more stately, sedate approach to instrumental music, a
sound quite noticeable on Pat’s recent disc So Flows The Current. One
connection between So Flows The Current and the first Group 87 album
is Patrick’s reunion with Group 87 guitarist Peter Maunu, who
adds some fine fretboard work to the landscape of the new album. Pat’s
ingenious efforts on acoustic/electric bass, piano, drums and synths are
superbly enhanced by Maunu’s nimble work on Nylon string and steel
string acoustic guitars, solid body and semi acoustic electric guitars and
lap steel. Also appearing here are guitarist David Torn, Robin
Tolleson (drums, cymbals and shakers) and Pat Johnston (cello).
Certainly one of most superbly meditative efforts in O’Hearn’s
repertoire to date, So Flows The Current rates highly as one of the
finest New Age releases of the new century. Word is out that O’Hearn is
set to record a new album with guitarist Maunu for future release. Wouldn’t
it be great if that would lead to a full scale Group 87 reunion? www.patrickohearn.com
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Attention
Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed by mwe3.com. Send to:
MWE3.com CD Reviews Editor Robert Silverstein,
P.O. Box 630249, Little Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249
e-mail:
info@mwe3.com
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