Waves Guitar

Before Waves, Rypdal had spent a few years fine-tuning Miles Davis'jazzfunkfusion legacy (albeit with a pronounced Scandinavian flavor), but Waves is a big leap forward, with a truly original & fresh feel & approach. On this record Rypdal's stellar guitar often takes a back seat while trumpet wunderkind Palle Mikkelborg establishes the melodies.

It’s not every jazz musician who doubles on guitar and oud (the centuries-old Middle Eastern forerunner of the mandolin), but Gordon Grdina makes the combination work. He brought 14 difficult originals to the studio for a recording session with veterans Gary Peacock and Paul Motian, drawing on his interest in blending elements of Arabic music and various jazz genres. When Grdina is playing oud, the songs often seem like they evolved spontaneously in the studio, especially the meandering “Platform” and the dark “Renunciation.” On guitar, Grdina’s gift for spaciousness and lyricism in the longing “Distant” sounds reminiscent of Jim Hall. The brooding “Cobble Hill” is another striking performance. While Peacock and Motian had their work cut out for them engaging this music, they provide terrific interaction with Gordon Grdina throughout the sessions.

Rush - Permanent Waves (1980) [SHM-CD] {2009 Japan Mini LP Edition, WPCR-13478}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 226 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 85 Mb
Full Artwork @ 400 dpi (png) -> 105 Mb
© 2009 Atlantic / Anthem / Warner | WPCR-13478
Rock / Prog Rock / Hard Rock

Falling somewhere in between heavy metal and AOR, Rush were one of the success stories of the period from 1976 to 1986–all the more surprising because few Canadians manage to break out from the land of the maple leaf in this area of music. Much of their following idolized Alex Lifeson, who was a guitar hero with the technical ability of a Page or a Beck. Occasionally Neil Peart's lyrics leave a little to be desired: "the shifting shafts of shining, weave the fabric of their dreams . . ." Jon Anderson from Yes was afflicted with the same condition of pretentiolyricitus. That aside, the music is faultless.