Mystified 
J.D. Burns
by D.M. Jones 


J.D. Burns

Mystified

From Virginia to Kentucky to the muddy banks of the Three Rivers, J.D. Burns has been showcasing his expressive yet laid-back brand of jazz-inflected, guitar-oriented music for awhile now. Last year’s Everlasting showed off his substantial instrumental skills, with a handful of numbers including vocals. On his latest, entitled Mystified, Burns devotes his energies exclusively to instrumental pursuits.

If your tastes run toward polished, well played tunes that retain a pop sensibility and a jazz touch, Mystified is your kind of disc. From the cool chords of the opener, “Silent Illusion,” to the country touches of “Mississippi Skippin’” and sprightly tempo and lively tones of “Homebound,” Burns showcases a knack for lyrical guitar leads and solid melody lines.

The stately yet funk-tinged “Wings of Love” is a great example of Burns’ fretwork, as limber guitar lines snake through the arrangement. The effected guitar tone carries a hint of a steel-drum vibe, which imparts a slight island feel to the tune. Jazz fans will enjoy Burns’ touch throughout Mystified, especially the octave runs and memorable licks he applies to great effect on “Chicago Sky.” Smoky tones and a walking bassline help keep the title track moving, all the while implying class and never showing off. 

The whole album is clean and uncluttered, all the edges burnished for a bright, relaxing listening experience. “Acoustic Rap” provides a beautifully understated bossa nova, while the arrangement and instrumentation on the record’s closer, “Higher Calling,” wouldn’t sound out of place on a modern country-pop release. J.D. Burns flexes some serious musical muscle on Mystified, seemingly without ever breaking a bead of sweat. It’s a treat for the ears that goes down nice and easy. For more information, go to www.myspace.com/123jdburns. (D.M. Jones)

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