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

His superb phrasing is just the start. It’s his choices in tone and the way his notes spill into unusual areas that make the biggest impression. They just coat your ear holes with gooey goodness.

Mark’s liquid tone is matched by his introduction of notes in a fashion that is most luxurious; they seep out of your speakers in a surprisingly organic way, especially considering how processed they actually are. This is technology used to paint a most vivid picture of something naturalistic.

His backing by Yaron Stavi on bass and Asaf Sirkis on drums is also stellar and even with the chops of god that all concerned surely possess; they submerge individual hot spots for the common cool. This approach leads to a feeling that juxtaposes heat and ice and fire and finesse. Even the outright shredding songs like Voltaic never loose their cool.

Add this to the collection of guitar albums that feature a unique voice, singular approach and defined sense of journey. This work takes you to places serene and stimulating.

Rob Hudson
www.markwingfield.com