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Rez Abbasi & Junction: Behind the Vibration
ByAbbasi's bass-less quartet is cohesive; his searching guitar is lifted by the versatile first call tenor stylist Mark Shim who also provides an array of sound on electronic MIDI Wind Controller. Beat Kaestli Ben Stivers brings a plethora of keyboard and organ tones while Kenny Grohowski's adds drumming pyrotechnics.
The album at times gives a nod to the fusion guitar-deities like Allan Holdsworth but retains elements of Abbasi's Indo-Pak flavor which find fresh avenues that explore quicksilver notes and a cool time-warping effect on "Uncommon Sense" a track where Shim's abstract tenor workout simply sizzles.
Behind the Vibration offers plenty of sonic goodies. "Holy Butter" lays down the funk as Shim's Wind Controller ranges from earth shaking low end frequencies to flutelike synthesizer highs whereas "And I You" is draped with funeral-like organ and caressing drum traps. Abbasi's axe is imbued with multiple granularities: pristine clean, slightly fuzzed or nasty distortions that are always coupled with feeling and control.
Abbasi once again takes the listener to unexpected places showing whether playing in an acoustic or electronic/techno setting. While Behind the Vibration might contain influences of progressive-rock Abbasi's music has always represented a fusion or junction of different ideas. This release is another extension of his interests that will hopefully be revisited.
Track Listing
Holy Butter; Groundswell; Inner Context; Uncommon Sense; And I You; Self-Brewing; New Rituals; Matter Falls.
Personnel
Rez Abbasi
guitar, acousticRez Abbasi: guitar & composition; Mark Shim: tenor saxophone & midi wind-controller; Ben Stivers: keyboards, B3 organ, Rhodes; Kenny Grohowski: drums.
Album information
Title: Behind the Vibration | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Cuneiform Records
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About Rez Abbasi
Instrument: Guitar, acoustic
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