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| Guitarist Esbe triumphs over adversity to reach new heights on ‘Mountain Aires' Esbe is celebrating a milestone in her musical career with the 2025 release of 'Mountain Aires', her tenth album. On this instrumental album, Esbe has returned to her first love, the guitar, with a collection of exquisite compositions. Drawing inspiration from some of the world's iconic and lesser-known peaks and valleys, Esbe has produced a definitive album of guitar pieces. As a producer working from her North London studio, Esbe is experienced in recording and multi-tracking her own voice, particularly on the folk a cappella album, 'Blow The Wind Southerly'. Esbe has now applied this understanding to the technique of composition, recording and layering of the guitar. Esbe's compositions on 'Mountains Aires' convey the strength and beauty that mountains provide. The first piece "Mount Iwaki, Cherry Blossom at Hirosaki Castle" opens with gentle harmonics reminiscent of the Japanese koto or zither, evoking petals floating on the breeze. Emotionally intense, the second track, "Sunset on Mount Hotaka'" continues the use of the pentatonic scale, with an original yet timeless tune which could easily be from Japan's folk history. Mountains are both serene and remote, and this sense of solitary space is encompassed on "Old Man of Storr" on the Isle of Skye, and Canada's "Ghost River Valley". These two pieces contrast well with the lilting "Lalibela", with its hints of mellow east African jazz, enveloping the ancient rock-hewn churches carved into the Lasta Mountains of Ethiopia. Nestled among the jewels of Esbe's compositions is "Echo Canyon, Only You, Sweet Child of Mine", a reworking of the songs by Alison Moyet and Guns N' Roses. Only Esbe would think of combining these two songs, the famous riff by guitarist, Slash, and the synth arpeggio which underpins "Only You", perfectly replicated using delicate harmonics. The melodies seamlessly unfold, played in counterpoint as if across the canyon. Esbe describes the creative process, "Away from the speed and noise of the human world, I wanted to capture the essence of mountain views. Inspired by scales, rhythms and harmonies of each country, I wrote interwoven phrases to build each piece." 'Mountain Aires' is Esbe's first album to focus on the guitar, her first study at London's Royal Academy of Music. Winner of the esteemed Julian Bream Prize for Guitar, Esbe graduated and continued to perform live and as a session musician until 'life', as with mountain weather, abruptly cast a shadow on her playing career. Ten years ago, Esbe was diagnosed with Musician's Focal Dystonia. This neurological condition is brought on by repetitive practice and a small malfunction in the pathways that supply the information to the fingers. Once this has been triggered, there is no way to treat or 'cure' the condition. As Esbe explains, "When the Focal Dystonia began, I found it difficult to come to terms with not being able to play as I was used to. But I wanted to showcase the beautiful tone of the guitar. This had to be in the only way left to me, using just thumb and index finger, and overlaying short phrases for two or more guitars. 'Mountain Aires' pays homage to the instrument that began my musical career, the guitar." 'Mountain Aires' is not just a triumph over adversity, but a serene reflection of the landscape that provided its inspiration, with striking and memorable guitar riffs interspersed with spacious and delicate notation. 'Mountain Aires' will be released through New Cat, timed to coincide with National Guitar Day, 11 February 2025. https://www.esbemusic.uk/ Track Listing 1 Mount Iwaki Cherry Blossom At Hirosaki Castle 3:16 2 Sunset on Mount Hotaka 3:27 3 Passing Storm in Yosemite 4:08 4 Echo Canyon – Only You, Sweet Child Of Mine 3:38 5 Lazy Lunch in the Sierra Nevada 3:07 6 Old Man of Storr 3:07 7 Ghost River Valley Night Walk 4:06 8 Lalibela 3:18 9 Lusatian Hills, Walking with Bach on a Cloudy Day 4:27 Album Production All tracks composed, recorded and arranged by Esbe, except "Echo Canyon", a new arrangement of 'Sweet Child of Mine' by Guns N' Roses and "Only You" by Vince Clarke (sung by Alison Moyet). "Echo Canyon" has been registered to the writers and copyright holders. All tracks are clear for radio/TV broadcast. Performed and Produced by Esbe Mastered by Paul Chivers and Trevor Lancaster-Smith Album artwork by Esbe Released by New Cat and Cadiz Distribution Press Release by Angie Lemon PR I welcome hearing from you with any enquiries concerning "Mountain Aires" and for playlists, radio shows, links and artist interviews. write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |