Earthway
Creativity’s Paradise, 2021
8/10
The fusion guitarist and keyboardist extraordinaire Gabor Lesko aligns himself with Guido Block, Eric Marienthal and Jimmy Haslip, among many others, on this energetic and groove filled display of 8 varied originals.
The title track opens the listen with Dave Weckl’s proficient drumming that anchors Lesko’s sublime guitar playing as some minor prog-rock nods enter the equation, and “Fiesta” follows with dynamic instrumentation that displays Lesko’s synth prowess and Marienthal’s strong soprano work.
In the middle, “Igor” proves that Lesko shines in calmer areas of beauty, too, while “Push It!” resides amid a fuller landscape of rock oriented song craft that further showcases Lesko’s diverse talent in more firm areas.
Approaching the end, “Mickey Mouse Loves Jazz” embraces a more direct version of jazz that we could never tire of, and “Air (Lost Key Part Two)” exits the listen and meshes orchestral ideas with Lesko’s bold and innovative guitar acrobatics.
This is Lesko’s 8th album as bandleader, and once again his boundless talent and inimitable vision of fusion puts him at the top of the list as far as modern day jazz artists go.
Travels well with: Dan Rose & Claudine Francois- New Leaves; Reza Khan- Imaginary Road