I first heard guitarist Hristo Vitchev on his Heartmony release not too long ago, and was impressed on that collection of duets with Weber Iago/p-key by his sense of understated lyricism. Here, in a quartet format, once again with Iago as well as Dan Robbins/b and Mike Shannon/dr, he adds a bit of depth to his music with the extra cast on a collection of well thought out originals. His lithe guitar has a remarkably clean, fresh and sparkling sound as it glides over pulsating pieces like “Ballad for the Fallen” and “Wounded by a Poisened Arrow.” Iago’s piano is tensile and reflective on the ruminating “They Are No More” and the reflective two part “Familiar Fields.” Well synched interplay is the name of the game as well, most noticeable on “The Fifth Season” and Shannon keeps the lyrical music moving forward on the flexible “The Prophet’s Daughter.” Smooth jazz in the good sense, not the Kenny G sense.
First Orbit Sounds