Hugh Burns
Synchromatic
© 2004 Hugh Burns (634479036941)
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Late 50' style jazz trio with a 21st century twist.
tracks
- 1 Synchromatic
- 2 California
- 3 Reverie
- 4 Key Largo
- 5 If We Can
- 6 Feels So Good
- 7 Tear It Down
- 8 Blue Mood
- 9 Soul Mountain
- 10 Melissa
- 11 Harbour Nights
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Hugh Burns, the critically acclaimed musician known for his work with avant-garde jazz outfit The Lonely Bears, releases a very special collection of smooth jazz tracks: Synchromatic on Acoustic Masters, July 2004.
Synchromatic is a collection of original music inspired by the spontaneity of fifties and sixties studio recordings. This album seeks to capture the atmosphere of ensemble recording typical of earlier eras whilst using the best studio technology available today; creating a bridge between classic jazz roots and twenty-first century style. Seeking to emulate the mood created by the classic Blue Note and Riverside albums, Hugh Burns fuses the late-night moods and improvisational quality of earlier jazz recordings with a contemporary harmonic language.
The album's title - Synchromatic - name checks the Gretsch Synchromatic C400 archtop guitar that featured on this recording. This particular guitar, fitted with a Dan Armstrong magnetic pick up and a Fishman archtop bridge pickup, has a unique sound.
The album features eleven songs: six self-penned by Hugh, two by veteran guitar pioneer Ron Moore, one Wes Montgomery classic and two by musicians appearing on the album. Played by some of the UK's finest musicians and beautifully recorded, Synchromatic, like the guitar, sustains a great jazz tradition.
About Hugh Burns:
Hugh Burns is an artist noted for his exceptional ability as both a composer and guitarist. He has gained an international reputation for excellence, having played in over thirty countries working with artists including: Astrid Gilberto, Oliver Nelson, Elvin Jones, Henry Mancini and on George Michael's Songs from the Last Century. Soundtrack credits include: Twelve Monkeys, Moulin Rouge, Stealing Beauty and the Grammy award-winning Full Monty amongst many others.
Recent recording projects include a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim, A Tribute to Sidney Bechet with Tony Coe and Steve Beresford. Other recordings include three CDs with The Lonely Bears and a CD with French virtuoso soprano saxophonist Michel Doneda. Live festival work includes the Frankfurt, Le Mon and Paris Jazz Festivals.
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Hugh has brought to this album, fine guitar playing, immaculate production and q
author: Andy McKensie - Just Jazz Guitar MagazineHugh Burns is known to me as one of the UKs top freelance guitar players. His work includes soundtracks to Moulin Rouge, The Full Monty and Twelve Monkeys and album credits with George Michael. Hugh’s jazz work of late has centred around the avant-garde outfit ‘The Lonely Bears’ so it was with some surprise this album arrived, clearly a homage to the straight ahead archtop jazz guitar, dearly loved by readers of this magazine. Hugh’s instrument of choice is, as the title of the CD hints, a Gretsch Synchromatic C400 fitted with an Armstrong pickup. He also uses the more familiar Gibson ES-345 and Ibanez George Benson guitars, on some tracks, for tonal variety. Initially I was concerned that this record would sound like the ‘jazz-lite’ albums produced by similar players aiming for credibility in the jazz market. Hugh’s statement in the liner notes that “every six months or so I find myself studying a particular style of music …” probably reinforced this concern. A listen to the first few tracks dispelled these fears. Not only does Hugh play great, he has brought along some of the finest rhythm sections in London to support his swinging compositions. Included too are the, sadly neglected ‘Tear it Down’ by Wes Montgomery and a couple of tunes from the veteran British guitarist – Ron Moore. I don’t know of the connection between these two players but Ron is, even as a grand old man in his 80’s, a regular visitor to jazz guitar events in my country and is well loved by us all. I am glad his work is getting this wider audience. Hugh has brought to this album, fine guitar playing, immaculate production and quality compositions. I wish him well with this new direction and hope it lasts longer than the allocated six months!