by Vince Lewis
This is my first exposure to guitarist Alex Machacek. He was born in 1972 and raised in Vienna, Austria. The liner notes indicate a strong training in classical music and jazz. There is also a mention of stints in the pop, rock and folk genres. 24 Tales
This is an interesting project in many respects. There are 24 titled tracks. These include “On Your Marks,” “X-Mas,” “Run, Fusion,” “Sexy,” “Anamika” and “Tranquilizer.” The basis of the entire project is a 51 minute drum solo previously recorded by Minnemann. Machacek built each of the various sections of this album from that work.
There are no edits done to the original drum track. Thus the transitions are critical to maintaining a good musical flow. The entire drum solo was done without a click track, and moves from 13/16 meter to long tones and back to frantic passages. Machacek has incorporated a myriad of guitar tones. There are sections ranging from acoustic slide, jazz hollow body, overdriven fuzz, and shredding metal licks.
Machacek is known as a creative composer and improviser. He points out in his comments that there is not a great deal of room to improvise in this work. He considers it to be more of a compositional album.
Fans of high energy fusion should enjoy this recording. It certainly is a non stop journey, and almost symphonic despite its rock and roll roots. The total experience is certainly interesting, thought provoking and not for the casual listener.
Title: 24 Tales
Artist: Alex Machacek (w/Marco Minnemann)
Label: Abstract Logix ABLX 024
Alek Machacek – Austin Powers (Not on the reviewed CD)
