Customer Reviews

Unified Presence

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

David has great talent and ability. But, this album isn't for everyone--you have to posses the ability to listen to complex rhythmic figures (try to find the count in Tadd's Delight from Miles Davis' 'Round Midnight). If you cannot, you won't get it--trust me!

But the complex rhythm just lets the music float on the harmony---not in our time element. I do formal dancing, and this music is perfect to practice to---keeping my feet ears listening.

With a great trio with Ravi Coltrane--this quintet (with vocal on last track) give snappy, rhythmic, pulsating jazz. Think Pat Metheny goes Latin with a shot of Wes Montgomery.

..I have yet to dislike anything with Ravi Coltrane! Keep it up, guys.

In comparison with the previous, debut album "Ritualism" (Kashka, 2000), D. Gilmore's second release under his name is more firmly rooted, in enhanced manner though, in the jazz tradition of bebop, hardbop and swing styles. This is readily observable on and evenly distributed among the following cuts: # 1, 4, 6, 8, 10. The guitar trio (tr. 1, 3, 7), featuring the phenomenal rhythm section of Christian McBride (solo on tr. 1, 6-8) and Jeff 'Tain' Watts, is augmented by Ravi Coltrane's unpretentious, pure jazz math contribution on soprano (2, 4) and tenor (6, 8, 10) saxophones. When not playing electric guitar using a pick, Mr. Gilmore resorts to right-hand finger technique on his classical (cutaway) guitar (3, 7, 11), as evinced by the mesmerizing African dance 'doula' written in metre 12/8 and the lyrical 'window to the soul', this latter one being reminescent of some Adam Rogers theme(s). While almost each tune is worthy of a study in and of itself, winners of the day happen to be the hypnotic 'protean way' and the spirited 'law of balance', the second of which finds commander McBride trading his double bass for a 4-string fretless bass guitar (also audible on the concluding track) and executing a formidable solo filled with densely chopped notes.

Contrary to how they appear on the CD cover, the song titles 8 and 9 should be inverted so that we have 'unified presence' followed by the experimental filler 'hankiskas'. The last tune is a bit odd one out in that it hasn't been composed by the guitarist bandleader but is a romantic Brazilian song showcasing the singer's fine voice. Runnig time: 65.07 mins. Heartily recommended.
P.S. My hope is that we don't have to wait another 6 years for the next offering, which could recruit drummer Marcus Gilmore and bassist Matt Garrison (Kindread Spirits?), whom would be joined by, say, keyboardman George Colligan, saxists R. Coltrane and David Binney.

It is the fate of David Gilmore always to be confused with David Gilmour, who, I am reliably informed, plays for a popular beat combo, Pink Flush, who are long since dead, but touring the world in perpetuity. In deference to those who cannot spell, a search on Amazon for the work of David Gilmore brings up numerous references to the other Dave (RIP). If you cannnot spell, and found your way here by mistake, this is your lucky day. Buy this CD and radicalise your ears. Give your hi fi a treat. Here is guitar playing of a different order, with the power and dexterity of John McLaughlin, but, um... "with feeling" - 'jazz fusion' is exhumed and resuscitated by the work of a 'unified presence' - as the reviewer above notes, the form of this music is 'difficult', but this means, among other things, that you can keep going back to these recordings, and become engrossed in their 'complications' and surprises... as for David's 'band', it is impossible to pay them too much respect. Press that buy button, if you're not too square...

Dear all People who thinks that's the same guitarrist from Pink Floyd. I'm terrible sorry for you. I wonder say that u are tremendous wrong. That An Excelent Guitarist from "Jazz Guitar of Modern Jazz" like anybody else here like to affix as an label. [Smile]. That's music for me. Really music, espontaneos and from top musicians of the present. Improvisation on high level can't be compared with some 70' 80' progressive rock, with all respect, i also love Pink Floyd, I think that's an unique band. But I suggest u take your time and pay more attention to what's happening around with this band. This Album has beautiful melodies, intro's and solo's, im my opinion, Ravi Coltrane ( sax ) was totally inspired at time. They all were using some vanguard technics like odd metrics for instance, the rhythm measure changes all time and feel's a lot of dislocated accent's are used on unexpected location, amazing group dynamics and interaction. The Modern's Chord's Voicin's chosen from composer demonstrates how brilliant he is. And look, that's all the beginning, for sure. It's not JUST a demonstration of pyrotechnics, of how much science of music can get's. That's a way to express himself as a unique person. There all, I'm From São Paulo, Brazil, sorry for my not perfect English.

Thought this was Pink Floyd's best. Wrong! I listened anyway and returned. This is an accomplished guitarist who need more innovative material.