Hybrid

Bruce Kaphan | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 1, 2010
• Label: Wiggling Air Records
• Copyright: 2009 Wiggling Air Records
• Total Length: 51:43
• Genres:
• ASIN: B003LWNKOW
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,142 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From MainlyPiano, June 9, 2010

By 

Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hybrid (MP3 Download)

It is always a treat to be exposed to a musician who is a master of his or her instrument. When that musician is also an innovative artist who puts his or her instrument into an unexpected context, the treat takes on an additional "wow!" factor. Traditionally, the pedal steel guitar has been a staple of country and Hawaiian music, but Bruce Kaphan has created a unique niche for the pedal steel via his original compositions and unconventional approach. On his 2000 debut CD "Slider - Ambient Excursions for Pedal Steel Guitar," Kaphan played most of the music himself. On "Hybrid," he includes a very impressive group of musicians on such diverse instruments as cello, ukulele, piano, fretless bass, tabla, congas, and strings. The music is also diverse, ranging from melodic to more conceptual and experimental work. The album as a whole is far from "business as usual," but it is indeed a fascinating ride!

"Pohaka la" begins the album with a piece inspired by sunbeams poking through clouds in Hawaii. Ukulele and fretless bass join the pedal steel to paint a vivid but serene portrait of the experience. "Maya" is a piece for pedal steel and piano composed and performed by pianist Kent Darnielle. It's a very unusual combination of instruments, but Kaphan and Darnielle make it work beautifully. "Gleaming Towers" brings in tabla and fretless bass along with atmospheric keyboard sounds to create one of the more ambient tracks - effortless and floating. "Senbazuru" has a fascinating history that I'll try to condense. The guitar track was recorded by Tom Size in 1982. While taking a walk and reflecting on the anniversary of the bomb blast in Nagasaki, Kaphan started hearing this track in his head along with a pedal steel accompaniment which he raced home to record. Kaphan's wife then named it "Senbazuru," which is Japanese for 1000 origami cranes, a symbol of peace. "Okanagan Jubilee" was composed during a ski trip in Canada, and is written for pedal steel and string quartet - a very different sound, to be sure! "Dust Bowl Revisited" is very challenging, but given that the stimulus for writing it was the fear "that with the amount of carbon dioxide being dumped into the atmosphere, and the inability of human beings to get organized over anything other than finding new ways to kill each other (and any other species in their path), Bleakest House is on the horizon..." (quoted from notes on the music on Kaphan's website), the discordance and feelings of chaos and confusion are absolutely right. "Silenzi" is a second piece composed for piano and pedal steel by Kent Darnielle. Quiet and thoughtful, it's another beauty! "Renewal" is the first time Kaphan has recorded a solo pedal steel piece. The sound is lovely, and I hope this is the first of many solo pieces! "There But 4" ends this album a bit more traditionally with a happy, contented piece with a country flavor. Great stuff!

"Hybrid" provides an eclectic and very enjoyable assortment of musical experiences. Check it out!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The RajMan Review, September 1, 2010

By 

Raj Manoharan "RajMan" (New York Metropolitan Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hybrid (Audio CD)

Bruce Kaphan kicks it up a notch on his second album by augmenting his already unique pedal steel guitar stylings with a full band. In addition to accompanying himself on keyboards and acoustic guitar, Kaphan is joined by other musicians on ukulele, electric guitar, bass, and drums. A string quartet also joins the proceedings.

Most listeners identify the twang of the pedal steel guitar with country and western music. Thanks to Kaphan's creativity and originality, that perception is a thing of the past. The sound of the pedal steel guitar is still unmistakable, although Kaphan uses it in completely different contexts. For example, he plays leads and rhythms on pedal steel that are traditionally played by electric guitar.

On the standout track "Gleaming Towers," the pedal steel sounds almost like a slow-burn electric guitar solo. However, at the same time, it also sounds like a sitar, especially with the accompaniment of tablas. While the song features elements of both Western and Indian music, it does not belong fully in either camp. Rather, it is cosmological, like much of the album.

Other memorable tunes include the rockabilly rhythms of "Loops for Larry," the nostalgic and idyllic tones of "Legacy," and the bright, feel-good optimism of "There But 4."

The album has the cumulative effect of Patsy Cline wandering into the Twilight Zone, and the resulting Hybrid is exhilarating.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from NewAgeMusicWorld.Com / NewAgeMusic.nu, November 9, 2010

By 

John P. Olsen / Review Publicist (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hybrid (MP3 Download)

Pedal steel guitar is a stringed instrument that often receives no respect in relation to New Age music in part because the instrument is often classified in the Country and Hawaiian music scene only, but believe me the ground rules have changed and is primarily due to one man.

Bruce Kaphan from California has taken petal string guitar to a whole new level in New Age music for years, making this instrumental transition not only a surprising one but a dazzling one, giving even music purists a reason to love pedal steel guitar with his earlier release Slider and now Hybrid. The reason behind his new adaptation in an otherwise strict classification was pretty much the colorful sound quality it provides and a love of exploratory music.

What many find interesting is that Bruce Kaphan began his early career as a studio technician, engineer and producer for many highly recognized artists in other genres, where he either played a role with the recording production of their album or performed with artists such as REM, Jewel, The Black Crowes, Thomas Dolby, John Lee Hooker and many others. During his early days in San Francisco he was a member of Indie / Alternative band American Music Club and his music has been featured on film scores and television broadcasts.

Hybrid is an album with 12 original song compositions by Bruce Kaphan who makes it crystal clear right from first track Pohaka La that you are listening to a unique composite of exotic blending with unrivaled clarity freshly harvested from another cross section in the vast field of music and it quickly becomes apparent this new emerging beauty will remain a lasting entity.

Pedal steel guitar just happens to be the prominent instrument in Hybrid and a natural selection too after listening to songs like Gleaming Towers, Legacy, Silenzi & Renewal, which breaks new ground by classifying the instrument as a main entry melody contender versus a mere supporting instrument.

There are songs like the piano enhanced Maya and guitar renditions in Senbazuru & Loops for Larry displayed in a new manner and show the instrument as an appealing choice while clearing a new path during improvisation in light ambience while reproducing a well conceived follow up for his Slider - Ambient Excursions for Pedal Steel Guitar 2000 release.

In an age where hybrids in all shapes and forms are becoming more relevant daily, Hybrid seems like a true natural contender when placed side by side among more traditional New Age albums and the lighter exploratory metrical patterns of Jazz, Hawaiian and Country in Hybrid are a prized natural attraction that shows well beside other music forms while earning the respect it deserves.