Rudresh Mahanthappa
GAMAK
The celebrated alto saxophonist continues to evolve
his trans-global musical vision on this mind-blowing
disc, supported by an equally forward-thinking
ensemble comprising guitarist Dave “Fuze” Fiuczynski
(who also plays with Mahanthappa in Jack
DeJohnette’s band), bassist Francois Moutin, and drummer Dan Weiss.
Fuze’s concise rhythmic figures, slippery fretless lines, and artful arpeggios
provide a perfect foil for Mahanthappa’s polyglottic melodicism. Act.
Jonathan Eric Wilson
GUITAR VIOL
Wilson designs and builds Guitar Viols—hybrid
bowed instruments tuned like guitars. They are the
rage in Hollywood, being featured on major movie,
television, and video game soundtracks. But Wilson
also plays Guitar Viols and other instruments, and
here he takes them on a musical fun ride that jumps from the Beatles
to Vivaldi to Gregorian chant, along with originals spanning new age to
metal—all with skill, enthusiasm, and aplomb. Lakeshore.
Harry Manx
OM SUITE OHM
Canadian “roots-raga” lap-slide guitarist Harry
Manx’s ninth album presents his most fully realized
work to date. His resplendently nuanced playing
is joyous and poignant, earthy and empyrean
in turns, complemented beautifully by his warm,
emotive voice. The songs are accessible yet replete with exotic timbral
twists courtesy of n’goni, nyckelharpa, didgeridoo, sarangi, and his signature
20-string Mohan Veena. A tasteful reimagining of Coltrane’s A Love
Supreme emphasizing and expanding the vocals is just one of many highlights.
Dog My Cat.