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Johannes Luley: Qitara

By Friedrich Kunzmann
November 2, 2017
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Having made a name for himself with recent and ongoing progressive rock formation Perfect Beings,

Johannes Luley

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Johannes Luley released his debut record Tales From Sheepfather's Grove in 2013. While said effort was of rather mesmerizing and ambient nature, strongly inspired by Jon Anderson's Olias The Sunhillow, the guitarists current outing Qitara reflects his continuing explorations of the jazz world and the many possibilities of guitar manipulation. With the support of an impressive cast of musicians Luley has crafted a versatile collection of songs, spanning from classic-, as well as modern jazz-fusion induced pieces to straight forward progressive rock tunes.

The album opens with the latter, promising an adventure packed with syncopated rhythms and heavy guitar riffing, only to be followed by an exercise in guitar-fusion, reminiscent of

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny's ventures with the Pat Metheny Group. Here the depth in arrangement comes to show, exemplified by the introduction of beautifully tempered trumpet lines from Michael Hunter. Continuously jumping back and forth between genres, Luley demonstrates his wide array of sounds and influences, leaving the listener stunned as to how well he masters the multiple approaches to composition and execution. Songs such as the sole vocal feature "Sister Six" or "Red and Orange" will satisfy the progressive rock enthusiast. "Faces in Reflection," "Upness" or "Agni Rahasya" on the other hand are examples of classic '70s fusion, bringing the likes of

Return to Forever

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Return to Forever and

Mahavishnu Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Mahavishnu Orchestra to mind. Though for the most part a guitar focused album, Luley leaves plenty of space for his fellow sidemen to take over, this being especially apparent on "Red and Orange," where

Scott Kinsey

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Kinsey gives a lesson on frantic synthesizer sextuplets, surely making Keith Emerson proud.

While not the most coherent compilation of ideas gathered on a disc, one must appreciate them for being so well produced and composed. A more cohesive concept record will likely follow with the third Perfect Beings release in January.

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Track Listing

The Doer #1; Upness #2; Seconds #3; Sister Six #4; Soliloquist #5; Moonlight Mesa #6; Red And Orange #7; Faces In Reflection #8; Hot Sands #9; The White City #10; Agni Rahasya #11.

Personnel

Johannes Luley

guitar

Michael Hunter

trumpet

Katisse Buckingham

flute

Otmaro Ruiz

keyboards

Ryan Downe

vocals

Edoardo Talenti

drums

Scott Kinsey

keyboards

Jason Lobell

bass

Morten Kier

vocals

Johannes Luley #1: Guitar; Katisse Buckingham #2: Soprano Sax; Michael Hunter #3: Flugelhorn; Otmaro Ruiz #4: Keyboards; Ryan Down #5: Vocals (Track 3); Jason Lobell #6: Bass; Scott Kinsey #7: Organ, Synths; Dicki Fliszar #8: Drums; Morten Kier #9: Electric Piano, Vocals; Robin Hathaway #10: Vocals; Edouardo Talenti #11: Drums; Christian Hammer #12: Vienna Dimension Brass;

Album information

Title: Qitara | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: My Sonic Temple

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