Learn James Muller - 2006 Kaboom

Australian guitarist JamesMuller makes a potentstatement on his 4th unloosen as a leader, originally issued inwards 2006 too lately re-pressed. Recorded inwards New York alongside drummer Bill Stewart too bassist Matt Penman, Kaboom showcases Muller’s startling six-string facility too fresh compositional style. Highlights include the swinging championship track; the edgy “D Blues,” total of daring intervallic leaps too rapid-fire single-note streams; too Muller’s soulful too swinging tribute melody “Chick Corea,” on which he burns upward the fretboard yet again. Muller closes alongside a immediately reading of “All the Things You Are” that has him blowing over the bar describe of piece of employment alongside jaw-dropping abandon. For sheer speed, spotless articulation too fertile ideas, Muller ranks correct upward in that place alongside swain Aussie chopsmeister Frank Gambale.

Geography is the solely argue that James Muller isn't as well-known as he should be. Having spent most of his life inwards his native Australia, the guitarist, at nowadays inwards his early on thirties, has racked upward a pregnant number of releases including Sonic Fiction's article.php?id=3965" target="_blank">Changing With the Times, pianist Mark Isaac's article.php?id=6910" target="_blank">Closer too the recent JazzGroove Mothership Orchestra's article.php?id=21490" target="_blank">The Mothership Plays the Music of Mike Nock. Fusion fans may know him for his recent locomote alongside drummer article.php?id=14981" target="_blank">Chad Wackerman. Every projection seems to bring out some other side to this virtuosic player, begging the question: volition the real James Muller delight stand upward up?
Kaboom, Muller's 4th album as a leader, comes from a session recorded during fourth dimension spent inwards New York. He may last the total of his influences, but his ain phonation emerges on this laid of v self-penned tunes, summation 2 past times swain Aussie Sean Wayland too 1 standard. Muller eschews the heavily overdriven tone he used alongside Wackerman for a cleaner too occasionally chorused tone that's withal got plenty of bite. Bassist Matt Penman too drummer Bill Stewart circular out a trio rooted inwards the mainstream, but withal filled alongside plenty of surprises.
Muller's chordal approach resembles John Scofield's, though he's less blues-informed. He communicates a hint of folksiness at times that references Pat Metheny, but he avoids whatever of the guitar icon's signatures, though his solo manner is as focused. The occasional descending legato run suggests Allan Holdsworth, but he's less abstruse inwards nature too isn't averse to letting his guitar audio similar a guitar.
The charts are primarily solo vehicles, but they're memorable, despite their brevity. There's plenty of room to stretch, but Muller's innate feel of structure never loses sight of the bigger picture. Peppering linear phrases alongside attractive chordal voicings, Muller creates tension past times taking things ever therefore slightly outside, but never at the expense of melodic development; this character is shared past times Stewart, 1 of today's most distinctly musical drummers.
The trio swings difficult on "D Blues," evokes bittersweet melancholy on the balladic "Eindhoven" too burns brightly on the fiery "Chick Corea." There's plenty of energy, but despite Muller's pungent tone, the overall vibe is to a greater extent than virtually shine surfaces than precipitous edges. While there's underlying form, there's likewise a strong simpatico that lets the trio accept plenty chances to locomote along listeners on their toes.
With the number of guitarists flooding the jazz scene these days, it's difficult to stand upward out, but Muller does but that on Kaboom, farther testify of a vibrant Australian scene that's withal waiting to last discovered past times an international audience.

2012 Re-press. Australian guitarist James Muller need keep been ever spoken inwards instrumentalist circles highly praised past times John Scofield, Republic of Chad Wackerman too others. On this ready novel unloosen he teams upward alongside Scofield bandmate Bill Stewart on drums too Matt Penman on bass. Kaboom has v of James' compositions, 2 past times Sean Wayland too 1 criterion past times Jerome Kern too Oscar Hammerstein. Recorded inwards NYC it's a absolute blinder - psyche to it too you'll run across why John Scofield rates James as 1 of THE plough over off players.

Really keen compositions too inspired playing past times everyone. I can't recommend this enough. You volition non last disappointed. Muller is a monster guitarist, too Bill Stewart is his commons awesome self.

I honor this CD from Australian guitarist James Muller to last a refreshing listen. Influences of early on Metheny too Scofield are inwards the playing but he has his ain style. Matt Penman is on bass too Bill Stewart on drums. Both need keep played alongside Scofield.My CD comes alongside a sticker recommendation from John Scofield. I quote "This is a keen album.James has it all....I honey his playing."
James Muller tin likewise last heard on CDs past times the Mark Isaacs Resurgence Band too the Subterraneans. 

Track Listing:

01 Honeycombs;
02 Kaboom;
03 Stacked;
04 D Blues;
05 Eindhoven;
06 Chick Corea;
07 Marcello;
08 All the Things You Are.

Personnel:

James Muller: guitar;
Matt Penman: bass;
Bill Stewart: drums.