Convertible
Zen Diagram, 2023
8/10
The guitar wizard Kingsley Durant is joined by an all star cast for these 9 fusion filled tracks that are entirely instrumental, and see Durant picking up his electric guitar again.
The flowing grooves of the title track opens the listen, where Roscoe Beck’s playful bass lines sure are appreciated alongside Tom Brechtlein’s agile drumming, and “Cobblestones” follows with Steve Hunt’s frisky keys suiting Durant’s meticulous guitar prowess in the bluesy climate.
“Akiko” arrives in the middle, and is a more intimate moment of dreamy keys and radiant guitar playing, as the waves of beauty unfold, while “Funky Princess” welcomes Eric Johnson’s glowing guitar chops for the melodic gestures.
Near to the end, Ricardo Monzón’s skilled percussion helps illuminate the cozy textures of the rich album highlight that is “Marlowe’s Mood”, and “Sister Suz” exits with a thicker presence that spotlights the dynamic rhythm section, sophisticated piano and, of course, Durant’s inestimable guitar talent.
A body of work that pulls from jazz, R&B, pop, New Age and prog-rock ideas, Durant and company make every moment here exciting, unpredictable and memorable.
Travels well with: Kevin Keller- The Front Porch Of Heaven; Robin Trower- Joyful Sky