Avant jazz and rock guitar ace Raoul Björkenheim pays tribute to his musical hero and paragon John Coltrane, with this new work comprising five covers and two originals. Solar Winds shines with passion, warmth, and energy in its purest form, in an innovative and unusual guitar/violin/bass and drums quartet. All the Italian musicians demonstrate experience of the highest caliber, joining Raoul on this album for a collective song of praise dedicated to the immense heritage of John William Coltrane: musician, illuminated human being, and inspiration for all. This visionary music sees Björkenheim delivering his own sheets of sound with layers of highly electric fretwork reminescent of the best guitar jazz and rock, looking at the past and the future simultaneously. The musicians supporting him in this project literally send his guitar and the music into space.
To date ten years ago, Steve Lee, frontman of Swiss-based hard rock powerhouse Gotthard, lost his life in a terrible motorcycle accident on the Interstate 15 in Nevada, USA. It was a shock for rock fans and it was a deep cut for Gotthard. Steve Lee was an important contributor for the band and Gotthard’s successful cruise through the worlds of hard rocking music. Not having him around anymore put some question marks on the list. Luckily Gotthard decided to continue, having also found with Nic Maeder another excellent singer and frontman…