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Rock Fusionist Promotes Latest Demo
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Guitarist Patrick Vega's latest demo CD-R is entitled Chromazone, and features three instrumentals which could be described as rock/jazz fusion. The tracks feature Vega on guitar, Jay Haser on bass and Ricci Riccardi on skins. "Devils Of Loudun" is a rhythmic piece with angular playing, a number of varied guitar tones/textures, an inviting groove and jazzy flourishes. "Just Because You Can't" features a slow, overdriven melody line augmented by slightly off-kilter single-note passages and the occasional burst of fiery speed. The closer, "A Little Hello From The Insane", is the most technically impressive track, and offers squalling, jagged lines injected with a bit of funk and a bit of bop. The bass work closely follows the guitar here, as the trio bump up the energy level just as the high-tech, Pentium-speed solo kicks in. Chromazone is a very brief but interesting introduction to the guitar stylings of Patrick Vega, who should consider lengthening and stretching his compositions somewhat, and perhaps put together a full CD's worth of tracks.
Beginning on flute and clarinet, Patrick started to play the guitar at age 14 in 1990. The guitar quickly turned into an obsession, as he began practicing eight hours a day. Growing up in Austria, he appreciated being taught and influenced at annual summer workshops by such greats as David Gilmore and the Herbie Hancock rhythm section. In early 2000, Patrick moved to Los Angeles to attend a full time music school. One year later he graduated with honors from the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California. Six months of study at school followed, and Patrick took his time to practice, compose and perform his original material. He has since recorded several demo CDs.
Vega is currently promoting his most recent demo, while working on new songs as well as on a picking instructional book. He is also aggressively looking to join a professional band in the Los Angeles area.
Contact Information
Patrick Vega
United States
E-mail:
Patrick Vega
Web site:
www.deanhall.com
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Italian Rock Instrumentalist Looks For Label
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Italian guitarist Nicola Fassi has provided an excellent example of what not to do when submitted a demo CD-R for review. His seven song work, featuring superb guitar work over energetic rock instrumentals in the Satriani/Johnson/Morse vein is marred by a strange voice coming on every 20 seconds or so saying, "Demo version!" Here you are trying to enjoy the music and listen to a ripping, soaring guitar solo and your brain is hammered by this spoken uselessness, making it difficult to listen past the first one or two tracks. Fassi needs to send out a proper demo - this one has the unique ability to piss people off. In spite of that, and the stripped down production, Fassi has some really good music here. He is a propulsive and inventive guitar player who can say a lot with his instrument. He's fluid, technically brilliant and not afraid to go for it. Just fix this problem!
Nicola has been a professional guitarist for many years. He has studied classical harmony, jazz harmony, rock techniques and improvisation for seven years with two of the most important Italian guitar players. Nicola has played in blues, rock, pop and fusion bands, and has played over five hundred gigs with cover bands, a Mr. Big tribute band, Deborah Leali and with his jazz-rock trio The Birds Of Fire. He has taught music for the past eight years, giving classes in modern guitar, musical ensemble and hard disk recording. In November of 2001, Nicola's trio recorded their first CD, entitled "Novenquarto".
Fassi currently does studio sessions playing guitar and arranging, as well as records jungles and music for web publishers. He is searching for a label or music company that has the necessary budget to realize a real CD with real musicians playing in a studio, and who can handle promotion and distribution.
Contact Information
Nicola Fassi
Via San Mauro 7
23880
Casatenovo (LC)
Italy
E-mail:
Nicola Fassi
Web site:
www.nicolafassi.com
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
