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 Being
a multi-instrumentalist normally is an advantage, because you can do the
most of your recording work by your own. But it can also be a problem,
if you use too much electronic equipment and too many instrument-samples
in your work. Then the music tend to sounding synthetic, like being
created on a drawing board. This -at least- applies to some of the eight
tracks of Dan Goodman's latest release, called BACK STORY.
No doubt: Dan Goodman is a good and experienced musician and arranger;
his solid guitar playing shows a lot of talent and the compositions are
mostly coherent but the use of too many electronic samples let some
songs sound like canned music.
The record starts with the up-beat AYALA COVE, a smooth jazz song with
mysterious synthesizer-chords in the background and an acoustic guitar
in the lead, followed by SIERRA MOON, a pleasing melody on the acoustic
guitar, flavored with electronic strings and a short E-Piano-solo.
In the more danceable and funky JAMBO MAMBO, Goodman uses a lot of
different electronic percussion and some flute-samples in the
background. BACK STORY, the title-track, also features some
Brass-samples. Here Goodman also shows -again- his great
ability on the acoustic guitar.
DREAM ON IT has the greatest potential of all songs to become a hit on
radio stations. It starts with a funky E-piano-sound, which builds the
fundament for another smooth-jazz melody played on the acoustic guitar,
followed by ONE LAST LOOK, a groovy song, where Goodman also embeds an
extended piano-solo.
The last track WE GOT THIS also features saxophonist John Powell, whose
saxophone-playing adds a human timbre to the mostly electronic concept
of the record.
Certainly BACK STORY is the work of a well-trained musician and
arranger, but unfortunately the use of too much electronic stuff let
some of the songs sound to synthetic. It would have been better to
invite some "real" musicians into the studio. This might be a good
advice for the next recording...! |
© Markus Michel 2014
Dan Goodman - Back Story
Release Date: 16. Mai 2014
Label: Dan Goodman / Glisk Records (885007488866)
Tracklist:
01. Ayala Cove
02. Sierra Moon
03. Jambo Mambo
04. Back Story
05. Dream On It
06. One Last Look
07. We Got This
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