Album Notes

Sonic Arcade features multi-genre compositions that defy categorization, pan-cultural elements with funky jazz improvisations, esoteric tracks that suggest musical alchemy, great performances and collaborations … and lots of guitar!
The collection of songs presented here has been inspired by a wide array of influences which are not only musical, but also cultural, political and deeply personal. With several songs the musical influences are obvious, especially to the jazz guitarist. Big Sir is a composition dedicated to Wes Montgomery. The Road to Retribution has a Frisellian vibe and Gullyball is a tribute to John Scofield. However this is not just a jazz guitar album. Many of the songs have drawn from numerous musical styles: rock, soul, reggae funk, jazz and blues. African, Asian and Caribbean influences are also present. The genres are fused together, superimposed and combined to create a diverse cohesiveness throughout the album. Down at the Soul~Inn is a roots reggae song with old school soul guitar. A Suite for Understanding has four unique movements. Last Trance and Cosmic Strings are improvisations over a tanpura which was created by looping multi-layered guitar parts. March on, Mumbai and Hyperspace are a commentary on terrorism. Juxtaposed against the concept of hyperspace, they bring to light the absurdity of war. Stir-fry has an Asian melody, a bluesy call and response bridge, followed by a solo and dub section. Blues Idiom fuses a unique combination of genres. It is a polymeric piece which places an Egyptian rhythm, played with log drums and African pots, over a funk groove. Crossing Paths is a wistful lament about roads not taken. Dust and Spirit Moves both fall under the category of 20th century Minimalism. Spirit Moves is in remembrance of the 1890 and 1973 massacres at Wounded Knee.