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Slovenian Delivers Sonic Treat
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Wu - Wei, the latest CD by Slovenian guitarist and composer Bostjan Leben, may be difficult to categorize, but world, jazz, new age and Far Eastern may be some terms one can use to describe the instrumental music on the album. A duet with saxophonist Lado Jaksa, Leben uses his acoustic and classical guitars to deliver enchanting, cleanly articulated, melodic moments on tracks such as the opening "The Gateless Gate". In a more experimental vein is "Koan", which features electric (e-bow) guitar in a haunting improvisation recorded live - as the entire album - with no overdubs. One reviewer wrote, "They are the kind of musicians who don`t seek to be liked and yet are accessible to the great majority of people." Even if you are hesitant at first, it might be worth opening your ears to the music of Bostjan Leben.
Bostjan is a man devoted to music 24 hours a day. Otherwise, he is known as world traveler, lecturer and music teacher, composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and music monk. He was lost many times in Nepal, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook's Islands, Middle East, North America and Europe in the last ten years. The main reason for Bostjan's traveling was (and still is) a new musical experience. He is devoted to composer John Cage and Zen philosophy. Highly regarded as a guitarist in Slovenia, he recorded two records (nominated for best instrumental records of the year) with his experimental music group Veronica. Bostjan has also collaborated with many other Slovenian artists. His two previous solo releases were entitled "Saute Surmadi" and "Aphrodisiac" (the latter a collaboration with vocalist Anita Kay showcasing his various interests, from rock, jazz, pop, world music to ambiental moods).
Leben's recent work also includes music for films and theatre.
Contact Information
Bostjan Leben
Kraigherjeva 6
3000 Celje
Slovenia
E-mail:
Bostjan Leben
Web site:
www.bostjanleben.com
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Blazing A New Progressive Trail
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Layered guitars, highly textured sounds, and cohesive thematic content set Somascetic's double CD release The Violence Of Distance apart from the dozens of CDs in this category being produced every week. Guitarist/vocalist Shawn Burnette and percussionist Andy Reamer spearhead this project, which totals thirty tracks (several of which are instrumentals) and includes haunting acoustic pieces along with powerful and otherworldly progressive rock. It's been described as Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" meets Tool's "Lateralus", and definitely represents a creative use of guitars. One disappointment was not really being aware of what was being listened to; there are only thirteen song titles listed on the back of the CD, and thirty tracks on the two CDs, and the CD titles listed when the disc was inserted into a computer were again differently ordered.
The origins of Somascetic are seemingly lost in a mist of myth. Yet, for Shawn, it was during this hazy era that visualization of the jewel center possibly occurred. This
Initiated a contemplation of marrying formlessness and form and that which is of the nature of fire began to unite polarities within, inspiring expression. It was upon remembering promises made under the stars and rediscovering everlasting friendships that an even stronger unification began... the lunar, the solar, the white and the red, crossing and coiling... and now, oh what fun is being had! Incidentally, many new songs are being realized, and it has become evident that the enriching and magnetizing sounds of Somascetic are becoming even more innovative. In the midst of reaching out and to the edge of within, wrathful, awe-inspiring, and energetic sounds (speech) are being created with unique scordaturas in the guitars and basses.
Burnette is currently maintaining a meditative state while exploring his love of horticulture as the next Somascetic project is being revealed.
Contact Information
Shawn Burnette
PO Box 174
FC, PA 15436
United States
E-mail:
Somascetic
Web site:
www.somascetic.com
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
