Jazz Articles about Alex Machacek

Alex Machacek: 24 Tales

by Ian Patterson
June 7, 2010

There's a spoken segment on one section of 24 Tales--a kind of simulation of computerized dialogue: “Hey Marco, do you like drumming all day?," asks guitarist Alex Machacek: “Yes I do," replies Marco Minnemann, and it's not difficult to believe. Machacek's most daring musical statement yet is based around a daunting, 51-minute drum improvisation by Minnemann. Asides from saxophonist John Coltrane, perhaps, it is difficult to recall many musicians improvising solo for such an extended length of time. Minnemann's drumming ...

Alex Machacek: 24 Tales

by John Kelman
May 14, 2010

It's not the first time guitarist Alex Machacek has composed around drum improvisation--he did that with three tracks on [sic], his 2006 breakout record and first for Abstract Logix--but he's taken the concept even farther on 24 Tales. It's also not the only release to use, as its basis, a 51-minute drum improvisation by Marco Minneman--Machacek's band mate in keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson's UKZ, which debuted in 2009 with the Radiation (Globe Music) EP. Guitarist Mike Keneally, touch guitarist Trey Gunn, ...

Alex Machacek/Jeff Sipe/Matthew Garrison: Improvision

by Ian Patterson
September 21, 2007

Outstanding musicianship, even if as a gift from the gods, is no guarantee in itself of a successful musical collaboration. Intuition, empathy and a good ear are, however, essential. So it was clearly an auspicious weekend when guitarist Alex Machacek, bassist Matthew Garrison and drummer Jeff Sipe combined the aforementioned qualities in abundance at the behest of producer Souvik Dutta of Abstract Logix to create the wonderful music that is Improvision. Doutta must feel like the cat who got the ...

Alex Machacek / Jeff Sipe / Matt Garrison: Improvision

by John Kelman
September 11, 2007

With two of 2006's best fusion records and three fine releases already out in 2007, Abstract Logix is rapidly transitioning from online storefront to bonafide record label. Austrian-born, Los Angeles-based guitarist Alex Machacek's [sic] (2006) was a stunning album that, along with the kind of virtuoso playing that would send most guitarists running for the hills, established the 35 year-old as an equally impressive composer and conceptualist.

Alex Machacek: Boy That's Sick!

by Ian Patterson
January 1, 2007

Since Alex Machacek last spoke to AAJ four years ago a lot has changed for the Austrian guitar wizard; he left Austria for Los Angeles, got married, and has received glowing praise for his music from, amongst others, guitar icon John McLaughlin.

Recently he signed a record deal with Abstract Logix with whom he has just released the critically acclaimed album [Sic]. AAJ caught up with Alex Machacek by phone and he reveals the problem with ...

Alex Machacek: [sic]

by John Kelman
August 14, 2006

There's been considerable hype surrounding this release by Austrian guitarist Alex Machacek, so let's dispense with that right away: it's all true. While there are innumerable great guitarists, it's rare for one to emerge, seemingly out of nowhere, with an album this conceptually well-formed. Machacek is recognized as a virtuoso who combines the legato phrasing of Allan Holdsworth with the rockier edge of Mike Keneally and the knotty ideation of Frank Zappa. But despite his staggering technical ...