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Ambiente Solstice — Short Stories
(Bandcamp Wayfarer Records no#, 2024, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2024-07-30

Short Stories Cover art

It was near the end of last year that we reviewed Ambiente Solstice’s previous release, Out of the Void. Ambiente Solstice is of course the nom-de-plume of composer JJ Rey, who also serves here as synthesist, pianist, and arranger on the eleven tracks herein. The music tends to operate in a song-length, gentle, laid-back, new-agey jazz style, completely instrumental, with dozens of guests making appearances on this track or that, but none appearing throughout the entirety, something that gives a sense of stylistic variety to the various pieces at hand. One of the most beautiful pieces here is “Weightless,” which features Rey alone on piano and synthesizer, just four and a half minutes, one almost wishes it would go on for longer. Among the featured guests are bassists Sean O’Bryan Smith, Vail Johnson, and Michael Manring; guitarists John Gregorius, Joe Cook, Dave Luxton, Billy Denk, Carl Rydlund, Jim “Kimo” West, and Stephen Davis; trumpeter Jeff Oster, saxophonist Gerald Albright, pianists Jeff Franzel and Tommy Ogle, and percussionist Edward Freytag. That’s a huge guest list and most of them only get one or two appearances throughout the album’s tracks. But first and foremost are Rey’s compositions ad arrangements, his instinctive mastery and gentle touch make every cut shine brightly with colorful melodies and relaxed soft beauty. The final track, “Nightfall,” is another worthy of special mention, with Franzel joining in for an eloquent and tasty immersive keyboard extravaganza.

Filed under: New releases, 2024 releases

Related artist(s): Michael Manring, John Gregorius, Sean O'Bryan Smith, Ambiente Solstice / JJ Rey, Jeff Oster

More info
http://wayfarerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/short-stories

 

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