February Meets Soldier String Quartet
EEG, 2021
8/10
Listen to February Meets Soldier String Quartet
The power duo of Jonathan Kane and Dave Soldier come together here for 4 lengthy tracks that embrace, blues, jazz, no-wave, and selections from the great American Songbook, and there’s certainly no lack of experimental, avant-garde and unconventional ideas present.
“Hate To See You Go” starts the listen with proficient drums from Kane as bluesy guitar acrobatics from Soldier instantly mesmerize. Later on down the line, orchestral strings and a violin solo enter the riff heavy and so precisely executed opener that makes an immediate impression.
The middle tracks bring us the reserved and atmospheric “It Was A Very Good Year”, which was popularized by Sinatra, where some post-rock dynamics are brought to the lushly layered album standout, while “Requiem For Hulis Pulis” spends 16 minutes with minimalist qualities that glide alongside a swagger that brings to mind John Lee Hooker or even Muddy Waters.
“Vienna Over The Hills” exits the listen, where much emphasis is on strings as a hazy, very atypical and especially exciting version of orchestral sounds unfold.
A record that will appeal to both fans of rock music and classical sounds and many points in between, Kane and Soldier bring a wealth of talent and experience to this very engaging and highly captivating effort.
Travels well with: Dave Soldier- Zajal; Bonzo Squad- There’s Always Tomorrow