Mark Wingfield is just such a wizard. He strives to use extended vibrato to give his notes a wavering human voice quality that bridges the gap between the sometimes cold perfectionism that some shredders use and the inviting warmth that is at the root of accessibility. Just giving the audience finger gymnastics is not going to get it done in this day and age.

It’s also more than just note selection, exposing fresh nuance in both melody and tone is not easy with the incredible amount of guitar vocabulary out there and not relying on just speed to make a point of excitement adds to the challenge. Wingfield is more than up to the task however and his band, one that includes Yaron Stavi (who’s fretless bass blends seamlessly) and Asaf Sirkis on drums caress with a fantastically supportive feel.

Those six or seven or eight string symphonies will continue to involve listeners, if not on radios, then in the collections of discerning listeners. Ones with a taste for timeless harmonic invention and adventurous melodies.

Rob Hudson
www.markwingfield.com

It also highlights how effective a band leader Budjana is as he coaxes some amazing performances from his fellow contributors. Takes the guitar work from guest ax man Guthrie Govan. Govan steps way outside his pyrotechnical Aristocrats wrangling and delivers a rubbery tone poem so drenched in selective emotions it’s remarkable. Elsewhere Danny Markovich breathes life into his woodwind with some unison playing that lock steps on the road to nirvana.

The backing band is also filled with heavyweights (and includes Tony Levin, Jack Dejohnette and Gary Husband to name a few) but then it defies contemporary logic with interplay that is so subtle and finely nuanced. Individual glory completely submerged to the collective gain. Once again Budjana’s leadership is an outstanding feature. There is even some real live orchestral embellishments care of the Czech Symphony Orchestra that provide even more emotional impact.

Saying music is a universal language is an easy statement to make but one that carriers great importance, especially given the divisive times we currently have to endure. This work collects talent from across the globe and puts it to work in a way that helps to transcend borders and theologies. Worldwide unity will have to come from the creative sphere because so little exists outside of it.

Rob Hudson
www.dewabudjana.com

One of the most outstanding qualities of Frusciante’s playing in the Chili Peppers is that even with the amazing facility he has on guitar, he never lets his playing degrade into mere histrionics. He keeps it earthy and real. With his solo stuff he tends to stray into the spacey and ethereal. So for fans with only the Peppers as reference, this isn’t an easy work.

This latest solo project is a concept album of sorts and in John’s own words can be described as such “The Empyrean is a story that has no action in the physical world. It all takes place in one persons mind throughout his life. The only other character is someone who does not live in the physical world but is inside it, in the sense that he exists in peoples minds.”

Spacey descriptions aside, the album has a strange flow and will at times try the listener’s patience as it leaps from moments of elongated instrumental muse to more concise renderings. It even features a cover song in Tim Buckley’s Song To The Siren. Joining John in this journey is among others, RHCP bassist Flea, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and Josh Klinghoffer (who has collaborated in the past on other Frusciante projects like the amazing A Sphere In The Heart Of Silence).

Those that have an appetite for art for arts sake will be right at home with the sonic excursions on offer here. For others with a more commercial preference, it will take a bit more effort but for both groups there are many moments of transcendence to be found.

Rob Hudson
johnfrusciante.com