Beledo: Dreamland Mechanism

It would seem that many artists make their way to the Big Apple to jump start their music careers and that is exactly what Uruguayan multi-instrumentalist did, culminating with his Moonjune Records debut Dreamland Mechanism.

He has worked with some fabulous players including Jimmy Haslip, Jeff Berlin and Gary Husband. On Dreamland Mechanism, Gary Husband (drums) returns along with Lincoln Goines (electric bass), Tony Steele (electric bass), Dewa Budjana (electric guitar), Doron Lev (drums), Rudy Zulkarnaen (electric bass), Endang Ramdan (Sudanese kendang percussion) and Cucu Kurnia (Sudanese kendang and metal percussion).

The music is centered around jazz, fusion and world genres and guitar aficionados should take note; Beledo's guitar virtuosity is on full display throughout the album's ten tracks. His sonic palette is vast and colourful taking the listener through engaging rhythms, startling solos and imaginative all around playing. One just has to listen to the first three tracks to get a sense of what this album is all about. It kicks off with the heavy fusion of "Mechanism" featuring Beledo, Goines and Husband playing with an unbridled intensity that is laced with vitality. Beledo's violin and guitar solos are outstanding. With "Bye Bye Blues" the instrumentation is a little lighter invoking images of Steely Dan at times, especially the Fender Rhodes embellishments and the complex yet melodic craftsmanship emanating from all three musicians. Another example of Beledo's melodic sensibility can be heard on Marilyn's Escapade" where softer violin laced rhythms, stellar piano and Husband's continuously twisting drum work are highlights. Beledo even offers an accordion solo that blends in perfectly within the song's framework. For a more world sound "Lucila" fits the bill perfectly. Beledo's Spanish guitar playing is off the charts and is enhanced by the ethnic percussion of both Ramdan and Kurnia. Aspiring guitarists should certainly be inspired by Beledo's acoustic acrobatics while never losing touch with his innate melodicism.

Beledo's tones, textures and melodic phrasings should appeal to musicians and non-musicians alike. Suffice to say I am very impressed with Dreamland Mechanism. It really is outstanding stuff.

Track Listing:
1. Mechanism (5:22)
2. Bye Bye Blues (5:38)
3. Marilyn's Escapade (8:40)
4. Lucila (6:31)
5. Sudden Voyage (5:02)
6. Big Brother Calling (4:16)
7. Mercury In Retrograde (4:20)
8. Silent Assessment (5:04)
9. Budjanaji (5:05)
10. Front Porch Pine (5:28)

Added: May 15th 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Facebook Page
Hits: 1549
Language: english

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