hen artists say their latest album is a whole lot better than their previous one, you will often explain that as appropriate enthusiasm for a creation which have been dominating them for a while, at which that previous one is mostly wrongly considered as the lesser one.
With "Genesis", the second album by the Greek guitarist Achilleas Diamantis, that recently was published under the group name Confusion, this also seemed the case. His first CD, "Confusion", you see, is an attractive collection of jazz-rock related pieces. But after listening to "Genesis" we have to agree with Achilleas; his firstling doesn't fade into a weak one, (it's true), but "Genesis" is such a great step forwards that makes that his enthusiasm is correct.
Most important cause for this is that this album is much more a tight group affair, in which excel next to the guitar-player (who's also responsible for guitar-synthesizer and Tribal Tech-like keyboard programming) Panagiotis Haramis (bass) and Takis Intas (drums), while in two tracks Diamantis's brother Stratos takes care of the keys. The music itself has become more coherent too. Most of the songs have a basis of firm jazz-rock, with a syncopated Scott Henderson, a solid Frank Gambale and a sensitive Allan Holdsworth as references.
From this basis the variations known from the first album are still being made, like Latin in "Traveller in Time", Blues in "Occupational Hazard" or the vocal reggae-phrase in "Where R U?", comparable with the modern work of Gongzilla. The guitar playing of Achilleas is well done and many-sided. Harmonizing parts are frequently heard which gives a beautiful full sound and especially in the more emotional tinted pieces the great, deep sound that has similarities with the baritone play of Holdsworth are striking.
A good example for this is the almost ten minutes lasting ballad "Escaped Soul", a typical tribute for a loved one, in which by the way Blues-rhythms are being incorporated in a subtle way.
Haramis is taking his solo's regularly too, at which one can especially enjoy his gliding fretless bass play. In this all Intas is a perfect accompanist, who has thorough command of all the styles and, judging by "Spunky", isn't averse to Dance-like rhythms. "Genesis", which is being introduced and escorted by a female voice that is introducing this band in a tempted way, offers all in all a delicious example of intriguing jazz-rock.
hen artists say their latest album is a whole lot better than their previous one, you will often explain that as appropriate enthusiasm for a creation which have been dominating them for a while, at which that previous one is mostly wrongly considered as the lesser one.