Oz Noy + Andrew Synowiec: Recreational Substance

Two great guitar players working together, sign me up!! The album opens with an upbeat "Big City" from Synowiec. I love the heavy funky rhythm that drives "I Don't Know". The single coil lead work at times sounds like they would make great sax lines. Even when things get bluesy, these guys know how to twist the notes and play outside the box keeping the music interesting. This one also breaks down into a quieter jazzy section, I love when songs throw little surprises in. Most importantly, this album sounds like they had a blast playing together. They capture a big beautiful acoustic sound on "Brothers" with those volume swells from the second guitar just adding to the atmosphere. The funkiness continues in "Burning That Bridge", catch the groove and come along for the ride. I love the rhythm guitar work as much as the leads, but man, this one just finds the pocket and dances around it. Bassist Hadrien Feraud and drummer Marvin "Marty" Smith can be thanked for providing such great backing for Noy and Synowiec . Noy and Synowiec share in the writing duties, and get ready for the energy, this disc rocks. "Kuffle Shuffle" is a stunner; the ripping guitar will catch your ear, and the band catches fire underneath.

The Noy penned "Half Romantic" rings out with clean guitar tones while the main guitar lead has a vocal quality, and it continues to build getting better as the song goes along. I love the delicate touch during the opening of "The Royal You"; dynamics are so important and often ignored, but not here. Tone, mood, and atmosphere are all part of the music, and it shows on tracks like this one. You are rewarded as the song builds, you're treated to more ripping guitar, and the mellow opening helps accentuate the music.

The playing is brilliant, a guitar player's dream listening to Recreational Substance. I would love to see this quartet out on the road; hopefully they will be playing gigs. Noy and Synowiec are terrific together, and I hope this will be an ongoing partnership with more recordings to come. The best part is how well they blend, top-notch players doing their thing, keep your eye out for this one, street date is January 17, 2025.

Track List:
1. Big City
2. I Don’t Know
3. Brothers
4. Burn That Bridge
5. Kuffle Shuffle
6. Half Romantic
7. Royal You
8. 101 Blues

Added: October 6th 2024
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 415
Language: english

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