Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: world fusion

  • Bring the Flavors

    Bring the Flavors

    With Jack Gates music you never know quite where you are going to end up but on the first track and the title to the album Bring The Flavors you immediately realise that he has once again managed to create a wonderful morphing of jazz, Latin, new age, world fusion and all the other beats and vibes that go into making an inspired, joyful and very definitely up-beat collection to delight.

    Track 2, Time In presents an energizing taste of harmonica with a very Brazilian overtone that relates immediately to fun, enjoyment and other intriguing places whereas the following track Wave Theory is a mix of sixties beats, with overtones of beach boys, surf’s up reggae styles combined, to once again return you to the magic, the lifestyle, the love of the ocean, to a time when surf and surfing was the ultimate.

    Waterfalls slows the pace with a mellow, and yet slightly up-tempo beat combining ‘cello and guitar in what could almost be termed as ‘improv’, as the two style, classical and modern weave together in beautiful harmony.

    Gates has cleverly experimented with using both nylon string and electric guitar overdubbed on several tracks adding layers within the piece which are immediately discernible and therefore enjoyable as it teases the ear, requesting that closer attention is paid to the music.

    As the tracks unfold, presenting what they will, but always sunlight, enjoyment and a great sense of peace, which is surprising considering the tempo of the styles used; it is as if the music is reaching out, touching a chord to say in this world, yes, it is alright to relax, to enjoy and to have fun!

    Choco Latte is a delicious combination once again of two acoustic guitars to create the richness of Afro-Cuban jazz styles and perhaps is reminiscent of a warm evening sitting at a street café watching the world go, by listing to the back-beat from a group of musos’ immersed in their creation.

    The beautiful, raga inspired Liquid Entropy rounds out the collection with the use of two electric guitars to create well known melodic, shape, form and rhythm so synonymous of Indian classical music; a fitting finale.

    Gates states, ’Music can be like cooking where you add a variety of spices to come up with something new.’ With Bring The Flavors he most certainly has created a dish which will be enjoyed over and over again.

  • Trialogue

    Trialogue

    In this current album from the talented trio of Sherry Finzer, Darin Mahoney and Will Clipman we are taken on a toe tapping, spirit shifting, hip swinging and totally enjoyable journey around the world courtesy of Trialogue.

    Cote d’Ivoire with its wonderfully blended mix of Latino pulses coupled with the deep reverberating tones of the bass flute, some serious drum work and a touch of flamboyance sets the standard for what is to follow; pure enjoyment created at the hands of three serious and talented exponents of their art, making wonderful music.

    Midnight in Marrakech is introduced with the drumming of Clipman, immediately establishing the mood of the dark, steamy, dangerous streets of Marrakech after the lights are dimmed and the pulse of the day is settling. Moody, deep, glorious feeling is created with the skilful use of the flute, adding its haunting tones to the continuous pulsing of the drums.

    Changing pace entirely is Confused which perhaps says it all, as this is a slightly introspective piece, delicate, gentle and appealing, somehow ever-so-slightly questioning but at the same time very refreshing.

    In the talented hands of Sherry Finzer, the flute soars over the guitar and subtle drumming introducing Dark Horse, bringing together the three instruments in a piece that takes the spirit out there with the breeze, the wild empty plains, creating a total sense of freedom, recognizing no barriers, rejoicing in the moment, the place, the space.

    Far more cosmopolitan is Top Down, commencing with an up tempo rhythm which immediately sets the toe tapping, bringing in a more modern beat and finishing with an almost distinctive country sound – definitely different.

    Woodland Lake showcases the talent of Darin Mahoney as he creates the wind whipped whitecaps to be seen on any lake anywhere on a day when the sky is moody, the sun shines fitfully and the air is alive with the changing moods of mother earth doing her thing. This track is refreshing, enlivening and once again, a complete change of tempo to the previously mellow and reflective piece in Alger St.

    Not at all what is expected by the slightly ‘uppity’ title of Thanks for Asking, the dulcet tones of the flute combine effortlessly with guitar and drums create a slightly sombre piece given to reflection and interpretation, or simply to sit and contemplate and allow the mind to wander wherever it will go.

    The final and glorious piece is a composition by Scott Cossu titled Wolf Haven. Finzer, Mahoney and Clipman have taken this composition creating pure alchemy to blend an emotional, delicate, enchanting instrumental piece, which showcases the individual talent of the musicians and the artful skill of the composer. Allow this piece to transport you where you will and then to return refreshed and enlightened.

    Beautiful, contemporary and timeless this is an album of pure enjoyment that will have a wide

  • A Bridge Between

    A Bridge Between

    With a light touch the notes of firm favourites, mixed with original compositions, arrive to gladden the heart, laced with a distinct overtone on fun, and joy in the creation of this album by lauded husband and wife duo Liza Carbe and JP Durand

    Both Liza and JP along with Jim Stubberfield are the creators of the award winning ‘world guitar’ group Incendio, but have, in their own right, careers in music as composers for television shows, feature films and movies.

    Both come from slightly different musical genre backgrounds with Liza hailing from a more classical guitar background with rock and roll played at night as a member of the Vixens and as backing for the likes of former Santana singer Leon Patillo. JP is more of a rock and blues man, mellowed by the rhythms of his native country Peru.

    Put such talent together and you have a refreshing sound of guitars playing well loved tunes encouraging you to much enjoyed pieces such as the age old Scarborough Fair, rediscovered by Simon and Garfunkel and now given a delightful two guitar touch by this talented duo.

    Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones comes in for a revamp that gives this well know piece of rock an entire new direction. Some fun is discovered in the treatment of the well-known piece Classical Gas, an acoustics guitar piece that became world famous when it was released by Mason Williams in 1968.

    The Beetles Blackbird played by two guitars is absolutely beautiful and once again refreshing to listen to as a two guitar piece.  Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Town really gets the treatment as does Cindy Lauper’s Time after Time with the broody, melancholic Fragile from Sting allowing Durand to solo in style.

    Mixed in are three of their own compositions in A Bridge Between which sets the tone of the entire album, A Thought For You written as a tribute to guitarist Larry Weber and the third piece, Mountain Song, the first piece Carbe and Durand wrote together more than 20 years ago.

    For the older generation it brings back the times when these pieces first hit the air waves with a new sound, a new vison, a new direction, a new vibe. Each piece has stood the test of time and is still as well loved and remembered as it was many years ago.

    With true class, Carbe and Durand have produced a beautifully refreshing album of favourite pieces which will delight each time it is listened to and enjoyed.