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| NOSHIR MODY “AN IDEALIST’S HANDBOOK: IDENTITY, LOVE AND HOPE IN AMERICA 2020” While Noshir Mody has been thought of as a fusion guitarist who creates colorful music, on An Idealist's Handbook he shows that he is also a talented lyricist, a deep thinker, and a versatile improviser who is impossible to categorize. Noshir Mody's new set of music features pianist Campbell Charshee, bassist Yuka Tadano, drummer Jarrett Walser, Mike Mullan on alto and tenor saxophone, trumpeter-flugelhornist Benjamin Hankle and, on two of the five main pieces, singer Kate Victor. Three of the five originals are preceded by brief "sketches" that feature Mody playing solo guitar, while "Illusions Grow" is performed twice with the second version being a briefer reprise. "Radha" opens the intriguing work with a tribute to an immortal and traditional love story from India. The atmospheric piece begins with a rhythmic pattern stated by the bassist, Mody and Hankle blend together to state the theme and the guitarist stretches out in his inventive solo. "Illusions Grow, " which features the leader's first lyrics in 20 years, is about the message that he would say today if he had the opportunity to give advice to his younger self. The pretty tune, which includes fine piano and guitar solos, has Kate Victor singing about how illusions may come and go but love is truth. "Ol' Splitfoot" is about the battle to retain one's decency despite having the desire to right all wrongs any way that one can. Mody's guitar improvisation grows in intensity and passion as it evolves, as if he was in a fight of good versus evil. "Rise, " which features some particularly powerful and triumphant singing by Kate Victor, is a plea for democracy, tolerance, and a common purpose. "Under A Starlit Sky (2020)" is an instrumental epic, building up gradually before cooling off at its conclusion. The reprise of "Illusions Grow" ends the set with a message of hope and optimism, highlighted by some brilliant acoustic guitar playing from the leader. Noshir Mody is a self-taught guitarist who was born and raised in Bombay, India. He moved to New York when he was 22. During the past 25 years he has developed into a major guitarist and composer, leading his EthniFusion Rock Ensemble and the EthniFusion Jazz Ensemble and regularly performing with his trio in clubs. Mody's recordings include his solo guitar set In This World With You, an outing with his trio (Union Of Hearts) and his quintet and sextet ensembles on Stories From The Years Of Living Passionately and A Burgeoning Consciousness. Always displaying a highly individual sound on the guitar and a fresh imagination, Noshir Mody is heard in top form throughout his timely An Idealist's Handbook: Identity, Love and Hope in America 2020. Artist: NOSHIR MODY Title: AN IDEALIST'S HANDBOOK: IDENTITY, LOVE AND HOPE IN AMERICA 2020 LABEL: SELF PRODUCED Artist Website: www.NoshirMody.com Release Date: JULY 3, 2020 UPC Code: 195269005658 TRACK LISTING 1. Radha (7:33) 2. Sketching "Illusions Grow" (1:26) 3. Illusions Grow (8:31) 4. Sketching "Ol' Splitfoot" (1:00) 5. Ol' Splitfoot (6:55) 6. Illustrating "Rise" (2:48) 7. Sketching "Under A Starlit Sky (2020)" (1:57) 8. Under A Starlit Sky (2020) (6:12) 9. Rise (5:58) 10. Illusions Grow (Reprise) (4:20) All Compositions/Arrangements/Lyrics by Noshir Mody Musicians: Noshir Mody-Guitar, Campbell Charshee-Piano, Yuka Tadano-Bass, Jarrett Walser-Drums, Mike Mullan-alto and tenor saxophone, Benjamin Hankle-Trumpet & Flugelhorn, Kate Victor-Vocals write your comments about the article :: © 2020 Jazz News :: home page |