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5 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.

KEVIN KASTNING / MARK WINGFIELD ~ ELEVEN ROOMS
GREYDISC 3528 (Barcode: 888295366441) ~ USA ~ Electronic & Ambient

Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015

This is the fifth album by a guitar duo comprising of American guitarist / composer Kevin KastningFind albums by this artist and British guitarist / composer Mark WingfieldFind albums by this artist. Kastning, who is also an instrument inventor, plays the 36-string double contraguitar and the 30-string contra-alto guitar in addition to classical guitar and mandolin. Wingfield plays electric guitar. The album presents eleven spontaneous compositions, inspired by the paintings of the great 17th Century Dutch Artist, Johannes VermeerFind albums by this artist.

The duo explores the realm of Ambient music, with a lot of sounds and effects, painting sonic vistas on the flow, which contain no melody or logical continuity, and in spite of my openness towards music, leave me completely cold. This might perhaps work in a multimedia setting, such as cinematic soundtrack, visual exhibition or similar environment, but as music meant to be listened to it simply fails to connect the dots for me.

I am fully aware of Wingfield´s superb efforts in the Jazz and Fusion fields and I am a huge fun of his work there, but the Ambient setting somehow does not grab me. On the other hand if these two musicians record together for the fifth time, there must be something to make this happen and it´s only me who fails to see / hear it.

I´m sure many other listeners might find this music interesting and enjoyable, so don´t take my word for it and explore this album yourself.
Updated: 16/02/2016Posted: 16/02/2016CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MARKUS REUTER / OCULUS ~ NOTHING IS SACRED
MOONJUNE 105 (Barcode: 692287910525) ~ GERMANY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion

Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020

This is an album by German touch guitarist / composer Markus ReuterFind albums by this artist, recorded with a group of musicians associated with the MoonJuneFind albums on this label label and the producer Leonardo PavkovicFind albums by this artist as well as his cohorts from other projects like Stick MenFind albums by this artist: Israeli drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist, Italian bassist Fabio TrentiniFind albums by this artist, British violinist David CrossFind albums by this artist and guitarist Mark WingfieldFind albums by this artist and American Ambient composer / keyboardist Robert RichFind albums by this artist, collectively known as OculusFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at the usual "crime location", i.e. Spanish studio La Casa Murada, by Reuter, Sirkis, Trentini and Cross and later overdubbed by Wingfield and Rich. The album presents five extended pieces, all more than ten minutes in duration, which are not credited and assumed to be co-credited to the participating musicians.

The music, although mostly improvised, is based on strictly pre-designed structures created by Reuter, which the musicians had to follow in order to create a coherent development of the music. However, for the listener the music offers a flux, which can be individually interpreted, and the listener´s perception is in fact a crucial ingredient in the music itself.

Ambient vistas, supported by leading bass lines and rhythmic structures created by the drums take the listener on a journey, which can only be enjoyed under a total submission to the music, without involving intellectual analytic processes.

The music manages successfully to avoid genre limitations and attempts to be categorized. Each listener can find whatever he sees fit in this music, from Avant-Garde electronic music, via Improvised Jazz and Rock Music or Fusion and Progressive Rock. It is an excellent example of contemporary music, which basically ridicules genre classification, which music criticism suffers from constantly, and proposes an opportunity to accept it for what it is: simply music.

Of course there are plenty of superb individual statements by all the participants, and again each listener will probably enjoy certain aspects of the music that others might overlook, but this is exactly the point. Like all great Art, music is completely individual (not subjective, as is often wrongly stated). The beauty of Humanity is all in our individualism, which makes us what we really are, of which the perception of music is just one facet.

This music, as I have repeatedly stated, comes with a price tag ;) It is not for a casual listener nor can it be enjoyed without a considerable emotional effort, which if often way too much to ask from people these days. Oh well, c´est la vie!
Updated: 24/09/2020Posted: 24/09/2020CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

ASAF SIRKIS ~ SOLAR FLASH
MOONJUNE 117 (Barcode: 692287911720) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion

Recorded: 2018 Released: 2021

This is an album by Israeli drummer / composer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist recorded with a great trio including also British keyboardist (and a drummer himself) Maestro Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist and bassist Kevin GlasgowFind albums by this artist. Polish vocalist Sylwia BialasFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks as does British guitarist Mark WingfieldFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Sirkis.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Sirkis since his first steps as a musician and his first recordings were on my JazzisFind albums on this label label in the early 1990s and I enjoyed his success as one of the busiest drummers on the European Jazz scene over time. His impressive recorded legacy, both as a leader and sideman, recently mostly associated with the MoonJuneFind albums on this label label, is the best testimony of his great talent.

The music on this album is probably his finest achievement as a composer so far. Most of the compositions are deeply lyrical and melancholic, resembling the music that characterizes Polish Jazz, and his examination of his Polish roots (that we both share) in the three-part “Polish Suite” present on this album, is definitely a deeply moving experience, with his wife’s vocalese emphasizing the East European influence.

The instrumental performances are of course stellar, with Husband’s great sensitivity and Wingfield’s virtuosity combined into an irresistible flow of melodic magic. Sirkis keeps his drumming parts to a minimum, as highly appropriate for this deeply emotional music, which is a sign of his great taste and modesty.

Overall, this is a monster album, full of great music and hair-raising performances by some of the best musicians around, which should keep all true music lovers around the globe perfectly happy. Although rooted in the Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom, it is so diverse and open-minded, that straightforward labeling does not apply to it at all. Hats off, my friend!
Updated: 16/09/2021Posted: 16/09/2021CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

WINGFIELD / REUTER / STAVI / SIRKIS ~ THE STONE HOUSE
MOONJUNE 083 (Barcode: 692287908324) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion

Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017

This is the debut album by a Fusion / Ambient quartet comprising of British guitarist Mark WingfieldFind albums by this artist, German guitarist Markus ReuterFind albums by this artist and Israeli (resident in UK) rhythm section: bassist Yaron StaviFind albums by this artist and drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all co-credited to the four members of the quartet.

The music is a highly developed and completely improvised Fusion effort, which allows the quartet members to freely express their individual statements during the extended musical journeys taken within each of the lengthy tracks. The music wanders on several parallel planes, created by the double guitar lead and supported amicably by the rhythm section. Long ambient passages incorporate World Music elements, which can not be exactly pinpointed, but definitely have an Eastern feel about them. Considering the fact that all the music was composed spontaneously during the recording process, the communication between the musicians is truly telepathic.

The individual performances by all quartet members are, as expected, quite amazing, both on the individual level and especially so on the ensemble level. Combining two expressive guitar players, like those present here, could have easily ended up in a chaotic race, but thankfully is skillfully avoided. The rhythm section proves to be able to carry this heavy weight front line intensity without a hitch, with a steady pulsation this particular duo is known for since years.

Overall this is a splendid effort which should make all guitar fans extremely happy, especially since many of the things heard on this album are quite unique and certainly innovative. Fusion and Prog fans might also find this music to be exactly their cup of tea, and last but not least the many Wingfield´s followers will discover both a continuation of his previous work and ventures into new territory. Well done Gentlemen!
Updated: 23/02/2017Posted: 23/02/2017CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

MARK WINGFIELD ~ PROOF OF LIGHT
MOONJUNE 071 (Barcode: 692287907129) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion

Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015

This excellent album by British guitarist / composer Mark WingfieldFind albums by this artist is another proof of his well earned position as one of the most interesting guitar players on the Isles, which he is consistently establishing since the turn of the Century. His prolific discography includes many gems and this new album proudly joins the list. Recorded in a trio setting with two Israeli (resident in UK) musicians, bassist Yaron StaviFind albums by this artist and drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist, the album presents nine original compositions, all by Wingfield.

The music is a unique variety of Fusion, with Wingfield´s whining guitar and forceful rhythm section driving the tunes firmly, but at the time subtly and intelligently. Wingfield manages to create his own guitar sound, which is phenomenally rare these days and displays a highly personal style of expression, which is full of quirky phrases and twists and turns, which keep the listener´s ears erect at all times. The compositions are all very solid, with great melody lines and intrinsic complexity, which makes it impossible to guest what comes next, which of course is highly engaging.

Although Wingfield is obviously the leader, the album is above all a trio effort. Stavi and Sirkis are both Master instrumentalists and their virtuosic support turns this album into a group effort, which is definitely more than the sum of its parts. Stavi supplies the steady bass lines, which keep the music flowing, which frees Sirkis to stretch and develop his rhythmic frenzy, so typical of his personal style. The Stavi / Sirkis rhythm section is obviously an ideal Fusion vehicle one can ask for and Wingfield definitely made the right decision taking them on board.

Overall this is an adventurous Fusion (and beyond) album featuring virtuosi performances by all the trio members, which should make every connoisseur of the genre ecstatically happy. Considering how trivial most Fusion albums released these days are, this is a rare gem indeed, definitely worthy of repeated listening sessions. Well done Gentlemen!
 CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

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