Tired of the same old six strings and the same old sounds? Here are two guys you may not be familiar with, but you’re going to want to get to know better, as they sound fresh and inspired.
Born is Switzerland and now based n the UK, Nicola Meier plays jazz on a wide ranging collections of mostly acoustic guitars, including the glissentar and various fretless and fretted ones, bringing a Middle Eastern sound along with some electric musings. He teams up with a core of heavy hitters Vinnie Colauiuta/dr and Jimmy Haslip, mixing and matching with 3 violinists in Richard Jones, Sally Jo and Lizzie Ball. Some of the themes and moods have a heavy Pat Metheny feel as on the spacious “Still Beautiful” and strong Mediterranean flavors abound on the danceable “Kismet” and spacious “Yemen.” Colaiuta adds some muscle on the rollicking “ Legend (for Jeff Beck)” and the heavy metal rocking “JB Top (for Billy Gibbons)” but for the most part the emphasis is on rich co-minglings between guitar and strings as on the classical feel on “Rose on Water” and the gently cantering “Riversides.” The sounds are mostly gloriously pastoral, and will be a delight for anyone looking for an intriguing new outlook.
Indonesian guitarist Dewa Budjana also puts together a fascinating album, teaming with forward looking all stars Tony Levin/b, Gary Husband/dr and Jack DeJohnette/dr along with a wide ranging slew of guests for this ambitious double album. The team shows it’s prog-rock chops with Danny Markovich’s soprano on the exotic and melodious “Solas Pm” while the sitar like pickings on “Dancing tears” has a fascinating lilt. The Czech Symphony Orchestra adds extra drapery to Levin’s bass line and Budjana’s airy guitar work on “Suniakala” while the title track includes ebullient acoustic guitar work. Hints of Weather Report bouncy along with rich keyboards and Methenyesque pickings on “Pancaroba,” playful melodies are picked apart on a graceful “Manhattan Temple” and some rocking prog work gets electrified on ”Unung Galuh.” Central Asian and Middle Eastern textures mix with Western grooves to demonstrate that civilizations don’t necessarily need to collide, but rather walk together in the same direction. Look for this guy!