By: Jamie Holroyd
Can an EP about two extremes of love, with four art forms and four musicians based in two different countries work?
Named after Montreal based songwriter and vocalist Mike Meighu, The M’goo project’s debut release “Dualite” features three uplifting and original songs, written word and a short film with contemporary dance.
Each of the songs is inspired by real life stories.
There is no better way to kick off an EP than with a catchy guitar riff and that’s how “Let’s Fly to The Moon” starts.
Renowned Chester, U.K., based jazz guitarist Matt Warnock, who is also an Editor at Guitar International, is usually heard coaxing dark jazz sounds from the neck pickup of his custom telecaster.
But, “Let’s Fly To The Moon” features a twangy middle pickup riff accompanied with tasteful drumming that gradually builds up throughout the song.
Instrumentation thickens throughout with backing horn parts, vocals and funky piano stabs from Jeff Louch that elevates each section of the track.
“Arms Around You” is the heaviest track on the EP, providing a refreshing contrast and an harmonically interesting tritone chord in the verse.
The distorted guitar solos, pushed horn stabs, and dense feel of the instrumentation are suited to the meaning of the song.
“Square one” closes the EP and features finger picking nylon string guitar work backed up with subtly evolving upright bass parts, provided by Queen bassist Neil Fairclough.
This is the only track without drums and the quiet strings backing suits the delicate nature of the song’s lyrics.
Short trumpet solos are featured, but the lyrical and jazzy horn playing complements the singing like peanut butter on toast.
The vocal and trumpet interaction sounds like a smooth two-way conversation with each person listening carefully.
Dualite is a restrained, rocking, and relaxing EP.
The M’Goo Project’s website says there will be a couple more EP releases this year, something we can all look forward to.
So, when is the tour happening guys?
Jamie Holroyd is a U.K. based educator, author and performer, as well as the founder of www.jamieholroydguitar.com, a free website with lessons to help students across the globe play jazz and blues guitar.
