“The album outlines the trio’s point of arrival, a mature work which I like to define as telepathic.The nine original compositions conceived in the form of a suite is the result of almost twenty years of writing, documented by three splendid recording sessions on disk, giving rise to the trilogy.Three distinct works that each expresses my soul, experimentation, experience and projection of thought,connected by a strong stylistic connection.” – Guido Santoni
Nixon’s Priest Based on a lilting 3/4 piano pattern, a jazzy and melancholy track with funky electric piano, acoustic guitar and moody saxophone solo. Hunter S Thompson: “Father John McLaughlin revelled in his role as ’Nixon’s Priest’ (see “A Stroke Of Cheap Genius”) for about a month, but his start faded fast when it was discovered he was pulling down $25,000 a year and living in a luxury apartment at The Watergate. His superiors in the church were horrified… the Good Jesuit Father was planning to marry his girlfriend. McLaughlin disappeared very quickly and nothing has been heard of him since.”
“Music From The Mint Hotel” is multi-instrumentalist, and composer Hakim Jamal aka Paul Ashley Wheatcroft`s new album, a musical spectrum that includes jazz-funk, soul, R&B, and hip-hop, all expertly blended to fit the concept based on an essay by famous Beat Generation writer Hunter S. Thompson, known for his book “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” among his other best-sellers.
The album’s sonic construct gives the music an exquisite fluidity that take the listener on a cinematic journey through the stories of some fictional characters gathered during the (in)famous‘Mint 400’ Off-Road race. But one should not be familiar with Thopson’s writings to appreciate this wonderful album whose technical and artistic qualities deserve the superlative.
Each of the seventeen tracks stands on its own while seaminglessly integrated with the ensemble through a cohesive sound architecture that skillfully keeps an aesthetic balance between the retro flair and contemporary beats. Layers of instruments and vocal lines re-create the sound of the 60s along with “analog” retro vibes tastefully fused with deep seductive tempos sustained by lush bass lines.
Remarkably how the nostalgic feeling permeates the sonic ensemble as a whole, the composer built a creative bridge over time from today`s cultural perspective, and this is only one of the numerous aspects of the album that make listening to it an enjoyable listening experience.
Guitarist Yuval Ron is going on a European tour with his trio in 2023/4. Yuval Ron Trio’s style can be described as Cinematic Fusion as it combines elements of live playing, extensive instrumental compositions and a big, film-like background production of orchestral lines, soundscapes and sound effects. The show will mainly feature tunes from his latest album, Somewhere In This Universe, Somebody Hits a Drum which featured Marco Minnemann on drums, in new live trio rearrangements.
Currently confirmed tour dates:
APR 09 Zoetermeer, NL / Progdreams Festival APR 21 Berlin, DE / Peppi Guggenheim APR 22 Haan, DE / RRC Prog Night
MAY 26 Berlin, DE / Karneval der Kulturen JUN 01 Tel Aviv, IL / Tmuna Theater JUL 06 London, UK / Sci-Fi Rock Night JUL 07 Abingdon, UK / Prog For Peart NOV 15 Göppingen, DE / Jazz in Göppingen
NOV 16 Jena, DE / (TBC)
NOV 17 Leipzig, DE / naTo
NOV 18 Fürstenfeldbruck, DE / Subkultur
JAN 28 2024 Berlin, DE / Berlin Prog Night FEB 23 2024 Hamburg, DE / Hamburg Prog Night
Sarah Lancman returns with a sixth album, “Le pouvoir des mots” (The Power Of Words) borrowing a majestic sweetness in which she reconnects with her love of the piano by singing on original compositions inspired by the world of Michel Legrand, Charles Aznavour as well as that of the musical comedies of the 60s, thus mixing her love for Jazz & the Chanson tradition on arrangements signed by Philippe Maniez.
Accompanied by the prestigious Quatuor Hanson and special guests, Belgian-New Yorker guitarist Jean Francois Prins, as well as the rising jazz star, the saxophonist Louis Billette, this new opus will be released in spring 2023 : MAY 26TH 2023.
