DREAMLAND MECHANISM

Everything about "Dreamland Mechanism" is first class. From the packaging, to the music itself. This was released by Moonjune Records and they deserve a mention here, especially boss Leonardo Pavkovic. BELEDO is Jose Pedro Beledo is from Uruguay, but has been living in NYC for over 30 years. I'm actually planning on giving this disc to my neighbours who are from Uruguay. This is their summer cottage, so they will be up in a month or so.

BELEDO has been releasing music since the eighties. He started out playing the piano before switching to the guitar. On this record he's playing electric piano, synths, violin, accordion, fretless bass, and adds some vocal melodies. Besides his electric guitar, he adds spanish guitar and an archtop guitar. And he is an Allan Holdsworth disciple. In the liner notes he makes sure one of the pictures shows the Allan Holdsworth website on his back. Plus he thanks "the one and the only and the inimitable Allan Holdsworth, for his constant inspiration." He thanks Adam Holzman, but it's funny the thanks to John McGuire for letting him steal the chord shape that he in turn stole from Allan Holdsworth.

So we have some players on this one. It was released in 2016 and features Gary Husband on drums. I was thinking that Gary would be more into playing the keyboards as he gets older, but nope. John Marshall was playing at 80, so there's that. It's interesting that nine of the ten tracks are played by a trio. Different trios, but the main one is Beledo, Husband and Lincoln Goines on bass. That is the lineup on six songs. We get Tony Steele playing bass on a couple of tracks, plus drummer Doron Lev on a couple of tunes. Dewa Budjana guests on one track called "Budjanaji" which is the only non- trio track. We get a five piece with a couple of percussionists instead of a drummer.

This isn't really my cup of coffee, but it's close. I have nothing but respect for the music and the performers. It gets a little clinical for my tastes, especially the first half of this 55 minute recording. But for me the joy was just focus on one instrument for a while, especially on the songs I wasn't totally into. These guys are such pros. So maybe it shouldn't be a surprise that my top three songs are all on the second half. I just feel they come out of their shells more, put on a bit of a show instead of staying within themselves, that Jazz mentallity.

And that starts with "Big Brother Calling" where the depth of sound is noticeable, in fact it all sounds so good. Check out the guitar before 2 minutes, that must be the archtop guitar, a different sound for sure. "Mercury In Retrograde" is the next song and my next top three. Same lineup(Beledo/ Goines/ Husband) and sound as the previous number. Husband is quite active on this one and I feel the bass stands out more too. Nice guitar solo after 1 1/2 minutes. The closer "Front Porch Pine" is my final top three. Tony Steele digs deep here on bass. Check him out before 2 1/2 minutes, but throughout I might add. This one has Lev on drums. A worthy closer and we get more fire from this lineup.

This isn't all gravy as I'm not big on the track with the spanish guitar, or the longest piece "Marilyn's Escapade" where we get some accordion and lots of piano. The opener is really good with some violin which is a nice touch. Not big on "Silent Assessment". It's pretty mellow. The Budjani track and the opener could expand this to a top five. Budjani's tune is the most interesting track but not in my to three.

A really nice album that is all about quality and class.

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