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Cenk Erdogan
Samo Salamon & Friends: Almost Alone Vol 1
by Glenn Astarita
To keep the train on the track during the Covid lockdowns, artists must think outside the box. Such is the case with this first volume of duets performed by renowned Slovenian guitarist Samo Salamon and European guitarists via the Internet by using web-based meeting programs and file-sharing processes. And besides performing on acoustic and electric guitars, Salamon incorporates a Moog synth on several tracks, largely used for textural backdrops. He also uses the body of his acoustic as a percussion ...
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by Hrayr Attarian
Slovenian guitarist Samo Salamon is as prolific as he is innovative. His restless explorations have resulted in a large, versatile discography that ranges from the orchestral to the free flowing with a variety of ensembles. His 2020 release Almost Alone Vol. 1 is a set of eleven duets each with a different international guitarist. It is the first in a planned three-record series. Every track features a different set of motifs yet the eloquent lyricism of the dialogues ...
read moreBilge Gunaydin: Daydreams
by Francesco Martinelli
Once this disc by Turkish pianist Bilge Gunaydin is in your CD player, you may find it hard to take it out again. There are several reasons for this. One is to hear the beautiful sound once crafted by composer Sinan Sakizli in his Hayyam Studio, down the hill from Istiklal towards Kasimpasa, a go-to location for quality recording in Istanbul; another is to listen to the instrumental voices of the band members, some of the brightest lights ...
read moreJim Kimo West: More Guitar Stories
by Mark Sullivan
Guitarist Jim Kimo West (aka Jim West) is probably best known as the guitarist in musical satirist “Weird Al" Yankovic's band. Anyone familiar with Yankovic's music knows that is an eclectic gig, but West is even more eclectic on his own. He jokingly describes this album--a sequel to Guitar Stories: Slack Key & Beyond (Westernmost Records, 2016)--as a “Slack Key, New Age, Jazz, Funk, Celtic, Americana and Indian Classical mashup." Crazy as that sounds, it is about right; West uses ...
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by Bruce Lindsay
Turkish pianist, keyboard player, composer and arranger Bilge Günaydin showcases her talents on Daydreams, her debut release. It's an impressive first outing for the young musician—stylistically wide-ranging, moving from laid-back melody to drama and mystery, and beautifully performed by the musicians. “Inception" is a relaxed, melodic album opener—smooth without being bland, immediately engaging and providing space for each musician to showcase their abilities—bassist Apostolos Sideris adds an arco solo notable both for its slightly rasping tone and its ...
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