Assis-Brasil, Gustavo: Chromatic Dialogues

A jazz guitarist of much repute, Gustavo Assis-Brasil is often known for his skill in the world of chromatic scales and music (something which I admit I had to look up on youtube to get a grasp on – it's about how you utilise scales across the six strings of a guitar and has a distinctive flavour and quality) and with his latest outpouring being named Chromatic Dialogues, there's little doubt that this is where his focus remains. Surrounding himself with a hugely talented band in the shape of Tony Grey and José Pienasola on bass, Mauricio Zottarelli on drums and Vardan Ovsepian on piano and keyboards, where Assis-Brasil truly excels is through making music that could, in the wrong hands, feel like an advanced training manual, and craft it into hugely fluent and captivating pieces that completely harness the imagination.

Yes, the results are hugely technical, aurally dazzling and jaw droppingly dextrous, however, at their core what they really are is honed, melodically challenging stories conveyed through music. Four short "Dialogue" pieces are dotted throughout the album, the chromatic scales continually presented in differing ways that allow you to forget about the basis behind them, if you so choose. In their own way each draw you in, while never really being comfortable under the label accessible. However with the beautiful "Olivia" offering a no less skilled, but much less rigid release, "SM" a pensive, thoughtful meander and "Pro Sapo" an unsettlingly jarring dance across the fretboard, the varied fare provides much to be impressed by.

Cleverly the opening cut "Gee" may well be the most instant on show, the darting drums making way for bass and guitar jousts and jostles, the rough and tumble they create a thrilling pay off. While its follow up "Always Here (Prenda Minha)" is possibly the most lyrical offering on this wholly instrumental outing.

By its very nature Chromatic Dialogues is sure to be a tough road for some to travel, the album just about tipping on occasion into virtuosity over engagement. However with that skill and talent put to scintillating use time and again – and all the instruments allowed time to shine within the album's framework – thankfully it's equally as easy to get lost in the themes and sounds it provides.

Track Listing
1. Gee
2. Always Here (Prenda Minha)
3. CC
4. Dialogue 1
5. Olivia
6. SM
7. Study #5
8. Dialogue 2
9. Pro Sapo
10. Dialogue 4 (About Allan)
11. Dialogue 3 (Ola Rob)

Added: December 10th 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Gustavo Assis-Brasil on bandcamp
Hits: 1339
Language: english

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