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Wolfgang Muthspiel and Brian Blade: Friendly Travelers
ByWhat appears as a simple drum/guitar duo is transformed into a listening experience that is enhanced by the musicians' skill and connectivity. Muthspiel enhances his quick and nimble playing with live sampling, loops, and a variety of guitar textures: acoustic, electric, and even synthesized-bass. Blade colors the music with his signature kit traps flowing with and against the music; perfectly timed, spoken with intricate solos and accents.
These improvised dialogues are girded with melody and harmony. The first piece has an expansive and bucolic feel with Pat Metheny-like chord changes and voice. It's clear that this is unique as Muthspiel weaves in the bass pattern and his solo takes flight with a clean then distortion tone as Blade provides the rhythmic drive. The free groove "End of 4 swings, digs in, and then morphs into a free-for-all where both artists cut loose. "Youssou is another favorite where the guitar is looped and the duo provides the spirit of dance inspired by Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour.
There are poignant tunes like the title track (featuring Blade playing acoustic guitar) and ones that rock-hard like "Andrej Rubljow with its aptly placed guitar loop. Each lands on opposite ends of the spectrum but is equally memorable. The recording closes with "Cold Summer and "The Tuning of the Bells, stirring pieces of exploration, ingenuity, and a common bond between two prime musicians.
Track Listing
Gnadenwald; Between The Beats; End On 4; Vallekilde; Youssou; Friendly Travellers; Balladino; Heavy Song; Andrej Rublijow; Cold Summer; The Tuning Of The Bells.
Personnel
Wolfgang Muthspiel
guitarWolfgang Muthspiel: guitars, voice; Brian Blade: drums, guitar, voice.
Album information
Title: Friendly Travelers | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Material Records
Comments
About Wolfgang Muthspiel
Instrument: Guitar
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