Black Ladder

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Nov 20 12:52:10 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит BlackLadder/(2018)_AmbitiousFew

Немного фьюджна вам (в ленту) <зачёркнуто> в уши.
Современная инструментальная джаз-рок/фьюджн-группа (трио) из Техаса. Что уже интересно, так как техасчина своими проггерами никогда особо не славилась.
Весьма интересно - эдакий сплав из классики, фанка, карибов итд, в формате джазового трио. Сначала ожидалось что-то вроде ранних Эксепшен и ЭЛП а-ля первый альбом, но - нет, всё оказалось совсем по другому. Тут, скорее просматривается "американский классический джазовый" стиль. Много чистого фортепиано, немного муга и других синтезаторов, бас, в основном, чистый, ударные всё же на заднем плане. В общем - интересно.
Надо будет ещё их первый диск послушать.
РЕКОМЕНДУЮ!

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Black Ladder biography
Founded in Austin, Texas in 2012

BLACK LADDER is a progressive rock trio currently based in Austin, TX. Members include Shane LAMB (keyboard), Clarence RILEY, IV (bass), and Ray CARDENAS (drums). The band's sound developed from a merging of Shane's classically influenced licks, Clarence's heavy funk bass lines, and Ray's crafted rock grooves. BLACK LADDER recently recorded and produced their first full-length, self-titled album.

Ray CARDENAS: Ray began his interests in drums and percussion when he was about seventeen years old and was a part of the short lived group SOMETНING BETTER, in which Clarence RILEY was also a member. After the debacle of SOMETНING BETTER, Ray went on to join up with Clarence and Shane LAMB to form BLACK LADDER. Ray's influences include percussionists John BONНAM, Steve GADD, Tito PUENTE, Keith MOON, Gene KRUPA, and Neil PEART.

Clarence RILEY, IV: Although initially turning down free piano lessons as a dumb little kid, Clarence took an early interest in music. Clarence and Ray met while in high school and together with two other friends formed the band SOMETНING BETTER with whom they created music until their breakup in 2008. In 2009, Clarence began to have jam sessions with Ray and mutual friend/keyboardist Shane LAMB. This trio would eventually form the group BLACK LADDER. Clarence's influences include the RED НOT CНILI PEPPERS, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, Larry GRAНAM and Les CLAYPOOL/PRIMUS among countless others.

Shane LAMB: Shane began playing piano at age five and has been addicted to music making ever since. Нe recently graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin and also received a Piano Performance Certificate. When he first moved to Austin, Shane bought a keyboard and helped form the rock band The TONEWНEELS of which he is still a member. Later, Shane met up with Ray and Clarence, and after many lengthy jam sessions, BLACK LADDER was born. Shane's influences include PINK FLOYD, WEEN, The BEATLES, early CAMEL, early GENESIS, and many others.

(c) andrea, PA
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An Ambitious Few
Black Ladder
Jazz Rock/Fusion, 2018
(c) Review by andrea, PA

An Ambitious Few is the second album by Black Ladder, an American trio from Austin, Texas. It was self-released in 2018 with a consolidated line up featuring Shane Lamb (keyboards, percussion, vocals), Clarence Riley IV (bass, didgeridoo, vocals) and Ray Cardenas (drums, percussion, vocals) plus the help of a guest in one track, Lisa Lamb (flute). In my opinion, this work confirms all the good qualities of the debut album showcasing great musicianship and creativity while the kaleidoscopic mix of heterogeneous influences craftily brewed into something new and captivating is well depicted by Michael Culler's artwork that probably describes its musical content better than all my words'

The opener "Bora Bora" is a nice piano driven track mixing classical influences and exotic touches of colourful rhythm grooves. The title refers to an island group in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of the French Republic in the Pacific Ocean, and the music could be the perfect score for a seventies Franch-Italian exotic adventure film... The following "Magic Doctor" starts by wordless vocals conjuring up a mysterious atmosphere, then veers to a kind of psychedelic jazz fusion that every now and again reminds me of Donovan's "Barabajagal". Then it's the turn of "Speakin' Easy" a timeless ragtime veiled of shadows and obscure impulsions...

"March Of Cambyses", starts with a martial marching beat and the organ in the forefront. The title seems to refer to the myth a Persian army that entered the Egypt's western desert near Luxor to destroy the Oracle of Amun at Siwa Oasis and was overwhelmed by a sandstorm and destroyed. Sandstorms swallowed the temples, the wind has worn out the face of statues... Yet... Something remains. A vague, dangerous power that sleeps at the bottom of the tombs. It's there, dozing off, and it only asks to wake up. Do you understand' Well this track more than to Cambyses' army reminds me of a peculiar French adventure novel where the desert becomes a puppet theatre for vindictive and jealous gods, Les cavaliers de la pyramide by Serge Bussolo.

Next come the soft, dreamy "One Quiet Night" and "Junk Mail" with its organ waves and funky bass lines that could recall Jimmy Smith. The following "Orionis" starts from a dazzling, classical inspired piano incipit, then the rhythm rises taking you out for a wonderful musical journey through time and space while the aggressive, threatening "Midnight At Dracula's" closes the album with its dark energy and a nightmarish atmosphere.

All in all, an excellent album that really deserves a try!
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Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido