Album Notes

Now available direct from iTunes and other providers
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Selected reviews

From Garageband.com

"Very tight..... the guitars are incredible, and the melody rocks beyond all reason. ROCK ON!"
"It's very unique and gets ya sucked in. I like those little pinch harmonics thrown in. This stuff is very Vai, Satch, Johnson like. The picking is very clean and solid. The backing guitars sound great with the lead too. "


From Soundclick.com

"It actually tears at your heart and works its way up and causes your entire body to tingle. I mean, this is just SO good that I am really at a loss for words...this track is pure audio instrumental orgasmic bliss "


From Distant Words

"...VERY reminiscent of a Dream Theater instrumental."

From Mixposure.com

"This is brilliantly played and the use of other guitar sounds makes it even better! Love it!!"
"In the school of Satriani/Vai...this guy is amazing."


Biography

A late starter in most people's eyes, Luke first picked up the guitar at the age of 17. However, he grew up in a house filled with music in every room, having a mother who was of child of the 60's and 'into' a massive range of sounds, from the rock of Hendrix, through the Rolling Stones, and out the other side to the Moody Blues, Donovan, The Incredible String Band. Having been thrilled by seeing a friend at school playing Mr Scary by George Lynch, Luke decided the guitar was the thing and dived headlong into a passionate affair with the instrument, and completely self-taught himself the dynamics of six-string playing. The following years were taken up with getting a degree at Oxford University, but guitar was also played pretty much solidly from then on. - this is a guitarist who plays as much with his brain as his heart.

The melting pot of university was also the time to start live work, and with the development of the Internet, collaborative work with other individuals from the UK and beyond. This accelerated the learning process and brought about a development of a unique playing style which nods respectfully to all the modern tricks and ideas, with tapping, whammy bar work and minor third harmony a la Iron Maiden, but also brings in more complex arrangements. The piece 'Playtime', for example, utilises the well-known delay effect first used by Eddie Van Halen in Cathedral to add a delay one and a half beats from the original - but unlike Cathedral, Playtime incorporates three guitar lines using the effect to produce highly complex counterpoint on harmonic movement over the central chordal tone.

As a result Luke's music doesn't sound like anyone else - the intuitive understanding of how to fuse a memorable melody with lead playing that ranges from fierce to delicate, helps to make hearing this guitarist a memorable event.

Now combining a successful career as a senior teacher in the UK and currently working with two band projects in free time as well as guitar teaching where time permits, Luke has focused his attentions on recording for the past 12 months, which has brought forth the debut release.

Aims

Luke is extremely competent at all aspects of rock guitar and particularly interested in extreme sports/film projects and will consider session work subject to contract negotiation and time commitments.

Contact Details

luke@lukerake.com



Equipment

Luke uses Line 6 effects, Ibanez guitars, D'addario strings and Dunlop picks, and would love an endorsement thank you...

The music was recorded at Madbadger Studios, Buckinghamshire, UK