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Johannes Luley: Qitara
ByThe album opens with the latter, promising an adventure packed with syncopated rhythms and heavy guitar riffing, only to be followed by an exercise in guitar-fusion, reminiscent of Pat Metheny's ventures with the Pat Metheny Group. Here the depth in arrangement comes to show, exemplified by the introduction of beautifully tempered trumpet lines from Michael Hunter. Continuously jumping back and forth between genres, Luley demonstrates his wide array of sounds and influences, leaving the listener stunned as to how well he masters the multiple approaches to composition and execution. Songs such as the sole vocal feature "Sister Six" or "Red and Orange" will satisfy the progressive rock enthusiast. "Faces in Reflection," "Upness" or "Agni Rahasya" on the other hand are examples of classic '70s fusion, bringing the likes of Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra to mind. Though for the most part a guitar focused album, Luley leaves plenty of space for his fellow sidemen to take over, this being especially apparent on "Red and Orange," where Scott Kinsey gives a lesson on frantic synthesizer sextuplets, surely making Keith Emerson proud.
While not the most coherent compilation of ideas gathered on a disc, one must appreciate them for being so well produced and composed. A more cohesive concept record will likely follow with the third Perfect Beings release in January.
Track Listing
The Doer #1; Upness #2; Seconds #3; Sister Six #4; Soliloquist #5; Moonlight Mesa #6; Red And Orange #7; Faces In Reflection #8; Hot Sands #9; The White City #10; Agni Rahasya #11.
Personnel
Johannes Luley
guitarMichael Hunter
trumpetKatisse Buckingham
fluteOtmaro Ruiz
keyboardsRyan Downe
vocalsEdoardo Talenti
drumsScott Kinsey
keyboardsJason Lobell
bassMorten Kier
vocalsJohannes Luley #1: Guitar; Katisse Buckingham #2: Soprano Sax; Michael Hunter #3: Flugelhorn; Otmaro Ruiz #4: Keyboards; Ryan Down #5: Vocals (Track 3); Jason Lobell #6: Bass; Scott Kinsey #7: Organ, Synths; Dicki Fliszar #8: Drums; Morten Kier #9: Electric Piano, Vocals; Robin Hathaway #10: Vocals; Edouardo Talenti #11: Drums; Christian Hammer #12: Vienna Dimension Brass;
Album information
Title: Qitara | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: My Sonic Temple