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Swedish Instrumental Deflagration
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Sweden's Kenneth Skoog has released Deflagration, a demo collection (on CD) of fifteen instrumental hard rock tracks recorded between 1987 and 1993. Skoog favors blazing electric guitars in his compositions, which are generally high energy affairs. A talent on many instruments, Skoog handled all the guitars, bass and keyboards, which are laid over an insistent, thin-sounding drum machine beat. As one might expect on a demo, the production is rather rough throughout - from the guitar tones chosen (a bit grating - which could have been greatly improved by recording in a professional studio, perhaps miking the amps) to the overall arrangements, which didn't really support the powerful style, coming across thin, instead of heavy. In order to improve on this effort, Skoog merely needs to hook up with some crack musicians in his area, and give the production to someone like Mats Lindfors, or similar, who can coax the proper amount of power out of a hard rock guitarist.
Kenneth is a multi-instrumentalist, but his primary focus is on the guitar. He has composed over 600 songs in all styles ranging from symphonic pieces to minimalistic rock - and everything in between. Kenneth played in different bands from 1974 to 1984, in and around Malmo, Sweden. He first released a single in his own name in 1980 and has been a solo artist since 1985. Kenneth has studied at the Jazzinstitute in Malmo, Sweden, and both the Guitar Institute of Technology and the Keyboard Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California.
Since 1994, Skoog has been busy with solo and band projects in the area of Malmo, Sweden.
Contact Information
Kenneth Skoog
Sandegardsgaten 34 IV
S-216 11 Limhamn
Sweden
E-mail:
Kenneth Skoog
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Jazzy Instrumentals With A Tropical Feel
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Timeless, Florida based guitarist Eugene Grey's third solo album (following "Power Reggae" and "Break The Chains") features mostly instrumental interpretations of popular R&B and reggae hits with Grey's guitar being the primary melodic instrument. A sunny, tropical feel permeates most of the arrangements, and Grey's jazzy, clean, and shimmering guitar lines are a wonderful addition to the overall sound. A professional guitar player with an impressively long resume, the CD captures his playing over infectious, island grooves and soulful standards, making this a delightful listen. There are a number of highlights, including Tyrone Taylor's "Cottage In Negril", and two of Grey's favorites, "Grooving Out On Life" and the classic Spinning Wheel". Recommended for reggae fans who'd like a little variety, a little soul, and a little jazz - and who are open to instrumental arrangements. Nice work.
Eugene, who attained a B.S. in Music Composition from The City University of New York is a multi-talented and accomplished guitarist, arranger and composer. His mastery of jazz, reggae and classical music led to him touring with such artists as Toods and the Maytals, Irving Burgie, Ras Tesfa, Culture and Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Eugene has performed in movies ("Lambada: The Forbidden Dance"), on the Tonight Show, on Good Morning America, at the Monteray Jazz Festival, as a member of the orchestra in a number of off-Broadway plays, and with Jamaica's renowned Burning Spear and the Wailers, to name a few. In March of 2000, he was commissioned to arrange 42 of the original songs of his longtime employer Irving Burgie to market as a Broadway Musical review.
Along with the release of Timeless, Eugene is currently a featured artist at Stingerz in Miramar, Florida on their Caribbean Jazz Jamz series.
Contact Information
Eugene Grey
7402 N.M. 79th Street
Tamarac, FL 33321
United States
E-mail:
Eugene Grey
Web site:
www.greyphonemusic.com
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
