Carsten Pieper
Yes, Peaceful definitely is a well chosen title for this wonderful world fusion album by the highly versatile Swiss guitar master Nicolas Meier. Very relaxing, and I really don't mean boring, acoustic music, which almost drowned in my way too long wishlit, if it hadn't been for MoonJune's welcome Thanksgiving special offer. Thanks a lot, Leonardo!
Favorite track: Caravan Of Anatolia.
Dr. "Buzz" Frenzy (Matthew J Hesse)
Couldn't agree more with Adam Baruch's review, except to add that the album is wonderfully lyrical: often peaceful, sometimes moody, nuanced playing that propels the music forward, ever lively and uplifting.
NICOLAS MEIER - Peaceful (CD)
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This is a wonderful album by Swiss born and resident in UK virtuoso guitarist / composer Nicolas Meier recorded with his World Group quartet, which also includes violinist Richard Jones, bassist Kevin Glasgow and Spanish percussionist Demi Garcia. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Meier.
Playing only acoustic guitars, Meier concentrates this time on a beautifully serene, relaxed amalgam of acoustic World Music inspired themes, which encompass a kaleidoscopic vista of Gypsy, Samba, Middle Eastern, Spanish, Turkish and other Folkloristic elements, combined with Jazz inspired improvisation. Although these influences have always been present in his music over the years, this is probably the most "ethnic" album he recorded so far and certainly the most diverse musically.
It is difficult to imagine that one person is able to compose such an assortment of music originating from distant, both geographically and musically sources. Nevertheless Meier manages to stand up to the challenge with ease and elegance and all these pieces sound as authentic as if they were composed by nine musicians originating from different corners of the world.
Meier's guitar playing is of course the focus of this music, and he never ceases to amaze with his virtuosic touch and incredible feel for the music he plays. The three musicians accompanying him on this album are truly ideal companions for the task. Jones adds to the melodic and harmonic richness of the overall sound, Glasgow sets the pulse of the music keeping the bottom range busy with a layer of sound upon which the music flows gently and finally Garcia is the key element as far as the diverse rhythmic requirements are concerned, handling the difficult odd time signatures with precision and confidence.
Overall this is stunning trip round our musical world, which is performed by true Artists, who put their soul into the music. For people, who are not familiar with Meier's music, this is an absolutely perfect introduction. For connoisseurs of Jazz-World Fusion this album is an unconditional must.
credits
released September 17, 2019
NICOLAS MEIER – Nylon fretted and fretless guitars, 12 string guitar, Glissentar.
RICHARD JONES – Violin
KEVIN GLASGOW – Bass
DEMI GARCIA – Percussion
Released on MGP Records, UK, 2019
Catalog: MGPCD022
Recorded in September 2018 at Slipway Studios by Simone Filali and in October 2018 at MGP studios by Nicolas Meier
Mixed and Mastered in April and May 2019 at Precision Mastering UK by Jeremy Paul Carroll.
Painting by Songul Yilmaz-Meier – songul-paintings.com
Photos by Eric Humair
Produced by Nicolas Meier
Produced by Pete Oxley and Nicolas Meier
I keep asking myself with each new album that Mr. MoonJune, the incredible Leonardo Pavkovic, announces as another gem from Indonesia, if I really need it...
... and after listening into it, the answer always seems to be: Yes, of course, this is, well, another gem from Indonesia!
OK, technically speaking, the core of this music has been recorded in Spain by an international outfit of top instrumentalists, led by Indonesian keyboard master Dwiki Dharmawan. East meets West, highly recommended! Carsten Pieper
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