Layers , The

JAZZ: GUITAR & SMALL ENSEMBLE

Jazz composer, guitarist, and Stanford Jazz Workshop member Julian Lage presents a half dozen short impressionistic pieces on this 2023 release. The lineup is two electric guitars, acoustic bass, and drums; except tracks 2 & 4 are stripped down to duets. Bill Frisell is featured as second electric guitar.

FCC clean; all instrumental

1 very slow, gentle. two electric guitars in dialog plus restrained bass & drums (4:13)
2 * very slow. pleasant acoustic guitar & bass duet w classical .& perhaps Spanish touches. RIYL American Primitive guitars like Marisa Anderson, Robbie Basho, John Fahey. (3:03)
3 slow. quite improvisational, a bit experimental with some sound effects. (5:35)
4 slow. just two electric guitars with no rhythm section; subdued, a bit New Agey. (4:19)
5 ** mid-slow.this one is more adventurous and gives more umph from the lead guitar. RIYL “world” jazz like Oregon & Paul Winter Consort. challenging but worthwhile. (4:01)
6 ** mid-slow. (how can the title track be a bonus track?) prettily melodic; almost catchy. nice interplay from all four players. (3:43)