The Guitar Channel

Favorite Releases of 2011

While pondering my favorite music releases of 2011, I was struck by two things; the abundance of originality and depth in the "my cup of tea" genre, and Geez Louise were there a lot of live albums this year. There were also some great DVDs, which is why I'm referring to this as a favorite "releases" list instead of an "album" list as I have in the past. So here they are - my favorite releases of 2011 in no particular order:

 

Abstract Logix Live! - The New Universe Music Festival 2010 (CD / DVD) [CD Review]

Amazing live CD and DVD releases chronicling the 2010 New Universe Music Festival. Includes great performances by John McLaughlin, Wayne Krantz, Alex Machacek, Jimmy Herring, and others. I was honored to help contribute to the DVD by conducting the backstage interviews which appear on disc 2.

Brett Garsed - Dark Matter [Review]

Fantastic writing and playing. Shows a stronger prog influence than Garsed’s earlier work. Bassist Ric Fierabracci make a big impact here as well.

Chris Taylor - Nocturnal [Review / Interview]

Taylor’s remarkable debut seamlessly blends modern jazz and electronica influences in one of the year’s most original and engaging releases. The all-star line up includes Ric Fierabracci, Steve Tavaglione, Dave Weckl, and other heavyweights.

Oz Noy - Twisted Blues Volume 1

Noy’s latest showcases his quirky originality and tones in a context that’s more bluesy than his previous work. Love the writing on this one.

The Aristocrats [Guthrie Govan Interview]

Killer heavy fusion album with Guthrie Govan on guitar, Bryan Beller on bass, and Marco Minnemann on drums. A great platform for Govan’s overall talents.

Derek Sherinian - Oceana

Awesome prog-fusion disc that may be Sherinian’s best solo release yet. Has a throwback 70s Jeff Beck vibe at times. Guests include Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine, and Joe Bonamassa.

Allen Hinds - Monkeys and Slides

Great writing and lines from one of the west coast’s coolest fusion guitarists. Includes two burning live tracks. Features Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Babko, and Dennis Hamm among others.

Bryan Beller - Wednesday Night Live

Killer live disc featuring a single set recorded at the Baked Potato, plus two additional tracks from other performances. Includes great contributions from Mike Keneally.

Other favorites from 2011:

Gerald Gradwohl Group - ABQ Live and Raw
Jeff Richman & Chatterbox - The Line Up [Interview]
Bryan Baker, Bob van Luijt & Sebastiaan Cornelissen - 011 Amsterdam
John Escreet - The Age We Live In
Johnny Hiland - All Fired Up
CAB - Live on Sunset
Human Element
Gannin Arnold - Five World Class Drummers DVD
Rudder - Live at Rockwell Music Hall NYC DVD (Not one note of guitar on this, but the band and DVD are super cool.)

See Also:

Favorite Albums of 2010
Favorite Albums of 2009
Favorite Albums of 2008
Favorite Albums of 2007
Favorite Albums of 2006

Abstract Logix Live! - The New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD Review at All About Jazz

Ian Patterson has written a nice review of the Abstract Logix New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD set for All About Jazz (see link below). This killer release chronicles the best performances from last year's inaugural New Universe fest, and includes amazing footage of John McLaughlin, Alex Machacek, Wayne Krantz, Jimmy Herring and others, plus backstage interviews (conducted by yours truly).

All About Jazz Review: Various Artists: The New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD

The New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD Review at Jazzreview.com

Glenn Astarita has written a great review of the Abstract Logix New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD for Jazzreview.com. See link below.

 

Jazzreview.com: DVD: Abstract Logix Live! The New Universe Music Festival 2010

John McLaughlin Interview for The Huffington Post

Mark Ragogna has a new interview up with John McLaughlin at The Huffington Post. Topics of discussion include the 2010 New Universe Music Festival, the early days of fusion, and more. Link is below (also includes a short interview with George Benson).

The Huffington Post: A Conversation with John McLaughlin

Video: John McLaughlin - New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD Excerpt "Recovery"

Via Guitar Player Magazine: John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension in an excerpt from the Abstract Logix New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD set.

Video: Lenny White Band with Jimmy Herring and Tom Guarna - New Universe Music Festival 2010 "Gazelle"

Via Guitar Player Magazine: The Lenny White Band - with guitarists Jimmy Herring and Tom Guarna - in an excerpt from the Abstract Logix New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD set.

Video: Alex Machacek - New Universe Music Festival 2010 "Strafe"

Via Guitar Player Magazine - An Alex Machacek excerpt from Abstract Logix's New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD set. With Jeff Sipe on drums, and Neal Fountain on bass.

Current Listening (and Viewing)

Here is some of the great new music I've been digging lately.

 

The Aristocrats

Incredible rock fusion disc with Guthrie Govan on guitar, Bryan Beller on bass, and Marco Minnemann on drums. Killer writing, tones and playing.

Oz Noy - Twisted Blues Volume 1

Noy's bluesiest album to date has an amazing lineup that includes Vinnie Colaiuta, Eric Johnson, and other heavyweights. Noy's playing and tones are amazing. Releasing November 19th.

Derek Sherinian - Oceana

Arguably Sherinian's best solo album yet. Has a similar vibe to his 1999 debut, with strong shades of Jeff Beck's early fusion work. As always, the prog keyboard maestro brings along an impressive cast. Includes Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Stevens, and others.

Jeff Richman & Chatterbox - The Line Up

Richman returns with Chatterbox for more jammy west coast jazz. Has a looser vibe than his solo releases.

Jarle H. Olsen - Quadrasonic

Super intricate prog metal with insane chops. Includes Alex Argento on keys.

Abstract Logix Live - The New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD

I may be a bit biased here since I conducted the interviews for this 2-DVD set, but this is a killer collection of live jazz rock fusion. A great documentation of Abstract Logix's groundbreaking 2010 festival. Includes John McLaughlin (with Zakir Hussain), Wayne Krantz, Alex Machacek, Jimmy Herring, Human Element, Ranjit Barot, and others.

Video: Lenny White at the New Universe Music Festival

Lenny White interview and performance clip from the New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD. Includes some great footage of Jimmy Herring playing with White's group.

Video: John McLaughlin at the New Universe Music Festival

John McLaughlin teaser clip from the New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD. Included a snippet from my interview with the maestro himself. The audio in the performance clip appears a bit out of sync, but trust me it's not like that on the DVD.

Video: Alex Machacek at the New Universe Music Festival

Alex Machacek interview and performance clip from the New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD.

Video: Matthew Garrison at the New Universe Music Festival

Matthew Garrison interview and performance clip from the New Universe Music Festival 2010 DVD.