McLoughlin, Chad with Grant C Weston: Quarantine Entanglement

As much as I urge everyone to expand their horizons and check out all the great new music that is being released, always make sure to check out your local music scene. These days it is difficult to find bands/artists performing original material, as the scene seems to have defaulted to cover and tribute bands. If you look hard enough, you might just find a hidden gem lurking in one of your local clubs. I had the pleasure of catching jazz guitarist Chad McLoughlin at a local club after having read about him, and I am glad I made the trip out. McLoughlin is based out of New York City, but plays often in upstate New York, and has an impressive resume beyond his original material. He has performed with a wide range of artists including Mike Stern, David Sancious, and David Torn among others, and he also played with the Mahavishnu Project.

Quarantine Entanglement is a collaboration with drummer Grant C Weston who at 17 joined Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time band and recorded three albums with the band, he is a powerful drummer. The album came about during the COVID-19 pandemic (hence the name) since live gigs were not happening. The opening “Ridgerunner� features driving bass and drums underneath, with McLoughlin’s chording to kick things off, when he starts soling, his fluid playing is immediately captivating and should attract fans of Holdsworth and Gambale. Keyboardist Neil Alexander adds another wonderful solo over the top; this is exactly the way to capture the listener’s attention with a monster opening track. “Evolution� is another ripping track, but the drums are too high in the mix and overpower the fiery guitar work. We are treated to an interesting interpretation of “God Rest Ye…� (you know the rest), and you might not expect a bit of shred in this one, but it honestly works well. Keyboardist John Colonna puts in a terrific solo spot here. If you want some groove, check out “Quadrasonicism�, this just glides along and I know I sound like a broken record, but guess who is on fire again in this track.

Once you get past the first three tracks, McLoughlin indicates that the rest of the songs are improvised in the spur of the moment. The short “Elevation� features more fretboard flying from McLoughlin and has a classical flavor to the melody. A darker mood takes over with McLoughlin’s “Solstice; Dark To Light�, I love the chord swells, and the dynamics on this track. A bluesy feel runs through “Bluvid 19� as the band sizzles behind more of McLoughlin’s lead work. The album honestly never lets up from start to finish, high intensity playing.

McLoughlin’s a wonderful soloist, and I enjoy these compositions and improvisations. I am not usually a big fan of experimental or improvised music, but this album is pushing my buttons. The only shortcomings might be the recording, at times I find the drums too loud in the mix, but other than that, there is little to complain about, this is a guitar lover's album that gives you plenty of it! McLoughlin assembled a great group of musicians, and his guitar work stands up to the best of them in my opinion.

Track List:
1. Ridgerunner
2. Evolution
3. God Rest Ye…
4. Elevation
5. Solstice; Dark To Light
6. Bluvid 19
7. Quadrasonicism
8. Couch Sack Raga
9. Outer Limits
10. Schizolydian Bonfire Dance

Added: January 8th 2024
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Artists @ Bandcamp
Hits: 320
Language: english

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