Pat Metheny 1988

When the history book is written on the minimalist scene that emerged in the 1960s, it’s likely that composer Steve Reich will emerge as the most influential figure. Certainly artists including Philip Glass and Terry Riley have made extremely significant contributions to contemporary classical music and have evolved, like Reich, beyond the inherent constraints of the genre. But Reich’s influence can be felt in music by artists as diverse as German bassist Eberhard Weber, guitar legend Pat Metheny and British progressive rock groups Soft Machine and Gentle Giant. Even Mike Oldfield’s classic Tubular Bells had considerable precedent in Reich’s work.

Rising Current features contemporary guitar instrumentals with a flavor of jazz and world percussion. Highly tasty set that offers serious depth. Fresh throughout, the instrumental action here checks in with high marks.

He was born in 1974. He started to study music in 1983, in the Agrupación Musical Santa Cecilia, in Sedaví. He was the pupil of the outstanding trumpet player and teacher Manuel López, with whom he learnt both the technical and theoretical aspects of trumpet playing, modern and classic. He studied in the conservatories of Barcelona and Valencia, obtaining his degree with Honours, under the tutorship of Jaume Espigolé. In 1988 he started his jazz studies, in the Taller de Jazz in Sedaví, and he became a member of the Valencia Jazz Big Band, directed by Ramón Cardo. He has also taken part in lectures and seminars with artists such as George Vosburg (Solo for the Pittsburgh Orchestra) Michael P. Mossman, Claudio Roditti or Bobby Shew, among many others.

The tough thing to do with a jazz trio of any kind is to make an impression. There are lots of trios out there—economically it's the best configuration if one wants to take home a little cash from the gig—and a lot of them are good. A few are great. Nearly all of them are more-than-competent, but… there's no there there. Not so Bastet, who now seem to be tottering on the ragged edge of greatness, as evidenced by the music on Freedom is a State of Mind. The last time the Bay Area-based jazzers released an album, they were a quartet.

Saxophonist, composer, producer, and educator Bobby Watson is an adroit jazz performer with an aggressive, fluid style influenced by his early years with drummer Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Watson's playing is steeped in the roadhouse blues tradition of his native city. He got his formal education at the University of Miami, where his fellow students included Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, and Bruce Hornsby. After graduating in 1975, he moved to New York City, where he made his solo debut with 1977's E.T.A., followed two years later by All Because of You.

Whether father Ulf did actually place a guitar in the crib of his baby son Eric or not, here they now are unite as a guitar duo on "Father and Son", a personal album and a virtuoso conversation in the art of contemporary jazz guitar. They can swing or play gentle ballads together, go extrovert and percussive, they can tell stories from far-off lands, or sometimes from their Swedish homeland. Ulf and Eric Wakenius have a sensitivity and a sense of atmosphere which creates magical guitar moments.

Japanese exclusive pressing of this collection from the Jazz great. Each of the tracks were chosen by fans and this unique album is released to commemorate the first anniversary of Brecker's death in January, 2007.

Despite the aggression its title implies, Kiss My Axe is the work of a softer, more reflective Al di Meola, who had become greatly influenced by Pat Metheny's subtle lyricism, but still had a very recognizable and distinctive sound. Di Meola's new approach was perfectly summarized when, in 1991, he told Jazz Times he wanted to be "enchanted" by the music instead of dazzling listeners with his considerable chops. One thing that remains is the guitarist's strong interest in world music – this imaginative session liberally incorporates Latin influences as well as Middle Eastern and African elements.