Chasing Horizons
Self-Released, 2022
9/10
A very accomplished listen that took 4 years to make, Russ Hewitt has some exceptional help on hand for this rhythmic fusion affair that brings several different guitarists to the experience.
“Alende” opens the listen with much cultured warmth, where flowing guitar and cozy percussion makes for a breezy, melodic climate, and the title track follows with Nuno Bettencourt on nylon guitar for the rumba flamenco flavored delivery that’s quite fluid.
Elsewhere, “Amor Perdido” features the Bucharest All-Star Orchestra for the lush landscape that’s very much focused on mood, while “Sunset Samba” recruits Jorge Strunz’s guitar prowess for the very stylish and dynamic album highlight.
Approaching the end, “Cubalia Café” showcases Ardeshir Farah’s finger acrobatics on guitar for the toe-tappin and cozy formula, and “Return To Simitai” exits with Tri Nguyen’s contributions on Vietnamese Zither for the more cautious yet dreamy and very groove oriented finish.
A fascinating journey that explores samba, montuno, milonga, fatback, rumba Flamenco, guajira and four-on-the-floor nods, you’ve probably never heard anything like Chasing Horizons before, and you’ll likely want to hear it again and again.
Travels well with: Craig Davis- Tone Paintings; Roger Lewis- Alright!