Record Reviews

NICOLAS MEIER ~ INFINITY FAVORED NATIONS 2870 (Barcode: 6908972870161) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is a brilliant album by Swiss (resident in UK) guitarist / composer Nicolas MeierFind albums by this artist, one of the fastest rising stars of the guitar world in the last few years. The album was recorded with a superstar American rhythm section comprising of bassist Jimmy HaslipFind albums by this artist and drummer Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist. In addition three guest violin players (Richard JonesFind albums by this artist, Sally JoFind albums by this artist and Lizzie BallFind albums by this artist) play on eight tracks of the album and guest guitarist Gregor CarleFind albums by this artist plays on one track. The album presents eleven original compositions, all by Meier. Contrary to the expectations one might have from examining the lineup, the music has very little to do with classic Jazz-Rock Fusion and is in fact mostly World Music oriented, exposing both Meier´s ethnic (Turkish and Romanian) roots and his deep interest in Middle Eastern, Gypsy and other musical folklores. The beautifully melodic compositions, deeply rooted in the eastern mysticism and heavily spiced with Oriental tonality, are all delightful from start to finish. The addition of the violin on most of the tunes also adds another ethnic layer to the music. Meier plays mostly acoustic guitars (and guitar-like glissentar and baglama), which dominates the sound of the album, which is soft, elegant, precise and gentle. Haslip and Colaiuta do a remarkable job on this album, limiting their usual powerful Fusion sound to suit this delicate music, driving it powerfully but staying in the background in order not to overshadow it. These veteran Masters fully justify here their reputation as some of the best players on earth. Haslip plays several wonderfully structured and brilliantly executed bass solos, which fit the overall atmosphere of this album perfectly. Meier proves again not only his abilities as an instrumentalist and composer, but most importantly his open-minded approach to music and the effort to explore and discover new areas and create new cross-genre and cross-culture amalgams. The resulting work is moving and exciting and should be able to delight all true music connoisseurs, especially those who love the combination of Jazz improvisations and exotic World Music themes. Absolutely brilliant stuff!

Updated: 15/11/2016Posted: 15/11/2016

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