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Steve MacLean Ensemble — The Opposite of War
(ReR Megacorp SM1, 1997, CD)

by Steve Robey, Published 2001-03-01

The Opposite of War Cover art

Maclean is the guitarist / composer who leads this instrumental quartet, which also includes keys, bass, and drums. Interlocking melodies and rhythms are the focus of the sound, with no one instrument taking precedence over the rest. MacLean builds guitar figures on top of each other, not unlike the gentler moments of latter-day King Crimson (Discipline in particular, though the Crimson comparison stops there), and synths and bass provide melodic counterpoint to the already dense sonic tapestry. The overall flavor is rooted in modern jazz, with moderately swinging tempos and a subdued yet busy sound. Some of the thematic development echoes the Canterbury jazz school of harmony, sounding not unlike the early Muffins in spots, but with much cleaner, slicker production (the album was mastered by recording whiz Bob Drake). Like a lot of electric jazz, nothing here reaches a particularly obvious climax; again, themes and rhythms and their various combinations in the process of composition are what the Ensemble is all about. Fans of guitarists like Pat Metheny might enjoy this, if they’re looking for something a little more rhythmically complex. Though I can't say it blew me away, this is a solid album of solid compositions which are executed flawlessly by a truly cohesive band; each member seems to contribute equally to the sound, though MacLean is the sole composer. Recommended.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 21, 1997 releases

Related artist(s): Steve MacLean

More info
http://stevemaclean2.bandcamp.com/album/the-opposite-of-war

 

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