Jazz Articles
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Yang: The Failure of Words
by Glenn Astarita
World class German touch guitarist Markus Reuter (Stick Men, Europa String Choir) and Benjamin Schäfer enhance this soundscape with sterling audio processes to extract the inherent power and resiliency of this French / German quartet on its 3rd release. Abetted by a detailed soundstage that highlight's the band's commanding presence, the packaging references late artist Bruno Medonca's work that keenly merges a sense of antiquity with an ultra-modern stance. Yang is an explosive yet disciplined band amid all ...
read moreStick Men: Prog Noir
by Glenn Astarita
Following up Stick Men's exhilarating recent 2-CD live set Midori (Moonjune, 2016) featuring legendary King Crimson violinist David Cross, the trio now supplements its monstrous attack with vocals, and tinted with a noir (dark) panorama via the lower tonal registers. Moreover, the King Crimson connection is in-place with current members, Tony Levin (Stick & voice) and Pat Mastelotto (drums) fusing their talents with Markus Reuter (Touch Guitars) who recorded with the The Crimson ProjeKCt. Respectively, the musicians reside ...
read moreZweiton: Form
by Glenn Astarita
Alexander Dowerk maximizes the capabilities of the touch guitar, along with expert drummer Alexis Paulus, on this quality outing, where classic progressive rock inclinations align with a nouveau twist. The duo is a multitasking machine, as both artists employ electronics and programming within the mix. Highlighted by memorable themes and a few doses of lament, the duo goes barnstorming via high-impact off-center grooves, highly melodic content amid sweeping clusters of electronics. Strategically counterbalanced with ethereal passages and massive walls of ...
read moreThe Season Standard: Squeeze Me Ahead of Line
by John Kelman
Even with the resurgence of progressive rock in the past decade--which made it possible for relatively new groups like D.F.A., Mahogany Frog, Deus ex Machina and Tuner to thrive alongside longer-standing groups like King Crimson, Yes and Univers Zero--it's rare to find a group that's at once so distinctive as to sound like none other, while clearly referencing existing sources to create its unique approach. Squeeze Me Ahead of Line, by the young German group The Season Standard, combines a ...
read moreTuner: MUUT
by John Kelman
The ability to build expansive sound worlds--referencing a broad continuum spanning time, genre and sonics--has never been greater. With sampling, looping and sound processing, it's possible for just two people to build soundscapes based on the past but with a clear view of the future. Improvisation, when incorporating these advancements with conventional instruments, becomes as much a matter of knowing the technology as instrumental facility. Tuner, the forward-thinking duo of touch guitarist/keyboardist Markus Reuter and drummer/electronics whiz Pat Mastelotto, has ...
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