PRESS RELEASE
Abstract Logix to release New Universe Music Festival double-DVD compilation featuring John McLaughlin, Jimmy Herring, Lenny White, Wayne Krantz, Zakir Hussain and more on September 20, 2011
On November 20 and 21, 2010, maverick record label Abstract Logix hosted a series of spectacular performances, featuring an array of artists who handily defy genre categorization in favor of unbridled expression. The first New Universe Music Festival, primarily sponsored by Godin Guitars and DIY Music was a die-hard music lover's dream, defined by artists who seamlessly mingle compositional ingenuity and improvisational grace and fervor.
A 2 DVD Compilation featuring the music on the CD, along with over 60
minutes of the grand finale Jam tribute to John McLaughlin featuring all
the artists of the festival along with behind the scenes footage and
extensive interviews will be released on September 20, 2011.
The release features pioneering guitarist John McLaughlin and his
current band the 4th Dimension with special guest, world music legend
tabla maestro Zakir Hussain; Widespread Panic guitar hero Jimmy Herring
with his electric band; Return to Forever Drummer Lenny White; the
all-star quartet Human Element (keyboardist Scott Kinsey, bassist Matt
Garrison, percussionist Arto Tunçboyaciyan; fearless guitarist and
improviser Wayne Krantz appearing with the amazing Anthony Jackson on
bass; visionary Indian composer and drummer Ranjit Barot; and emerging
guitar visionary Alex Machacek.
A 2 CD Set of the festival featuring 131 minutes of music was released
on July 19, 2011 to rave reviews:
"The final guitarist on the album is the Mahavishnu himself, John
McLaughlin. His band, the Fourth Dimension, is a tight and nimble unit
that can change directions at will as if all the members are a single
organism. It will take most listeners some time to work through both
discs, but the chance to hear the evolution of jazz/rock guitar in a
live setting is well worth the investment." - Premier Guitar
"For those who like their jazz hard, loud, filled with killer chops and
intricate writing, the 2010 New Universe Music Festival was like manna
from heaven. - All About Jazz
This thing is amazing!!!! UNREAL!!!! - Voice of America
Here's praise for the event itself:
"The New Universe Music Festival brought together an astonishing roster
of legendary and upcoming jazz-fusion musicians-especially guitarists-in
an intimate setting charged with excitement. As might be expected, the
music was superb, culminating in a heartfelt tribute to fusion and world
music pioneer John McLaughlin. I look forward to attending the next
NUMF, though the first one will be very tough to top." -Barry Cleveland,
Guitar Player
JazzTimes editor Lee Mergner attended the festival, observing, "It was a
veritable smorgasbord of fusion, with many of the top-notch artists in
the genre coming together for a series of performances. Jazz-rock fans
attending the inaugural event heard legends like John McLaughlin and
Lenny White, established names such as Wayne Krantz, Human Element and
Jimmy Herring, as well as up-and-comers like Alex Machacek and Ranjit
Barot. From start to finish, the music was electric, even when it was
being played acoustically. There was also a palpable sense of community
as artists generously participated in listening sessions and sat in with
each other throughout the event. I highly recommend this festival and
look forward to seeing and hearing its second incarnation in 2012."
About DIY Media:
DIY Media is the leading platform in social commerce. The company
provides the simplest and shortest means to sell digital content to
online customers. From complete portable storefronts for single tracks,
albums, and entire music catalog shareable widgets to brilliantly
designed and built white label storefronts for entire music catalogs,
DIY Media empowers social commerce in the music industry. The company's
innovative, all-in-one, direct to consumer digital e-commerce
distribution and marketing platform provides record labels, artists, and
digital distributors, with unparalleled reach and revenue opportunities
within the exploding viral marketplaces of Facebook, Twitter, email, and
mobile phones.
About Godin Guitars:
With its early beginnings in 1972, the Godin Guitar family now includes
6 lines of guitars. These include the renowned Godin electric line, as
well as the finely crafted acoustic lines such as Seagull, Simon&
Patrick, Norman, Art& Lutherie and LaPatrie nylon stringed classical
guitars. Godin Guitars is also the manufacturer of the revolutionary
TRIC acoustic guitar case. Based in Montreal Quebec, this Canadian
company has 6 factories, 5 of which are located in the Eastern Townships
of Quebec and 1 located in Berlin New Hampshire.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was lucky enough to conduct the backstage interviews for this release which appear on disc two. Follow the link below to pre-order this epic two-DVD set.
Pre-Order Abstract Logix Live - The New Universe Music Festival 2010 (2 DVD Set)
See Also:
Review: Abstract Logix Live! - The New Universe Music Festival 2010 (2 CD)
Abstract Logix Live 2010 - The New Universe Music Festival Promo Video!
Comments