CD Review: Shan Kenner - The Behaviour of Vibration

Shan Kenner (gtr); Albert Marques (pno); Ryan Berg (bs); Darrell Green (dms).

Yet another new set of names to me. There must be a million of them in The States and a fair number of them are trying to turn a buck in New York City which is where this quartet hails from. One wonders if there are enough fans around to sustain and support the many emerging artists.

I have my doubts and it would be a shame if this band didn't achieve more than passing recognition. 

Kenner is an impressive guitarist on both acoustic and electric. Unamplified, the Spanish influence is never far away with more than a suggestion of the great Classical and Flamenco players. On Electric we hear everything from Charlie Christian to John McLaughlin and quite a bit in between. Night and Day, one of only two non-originals, (Blue in Green is the other), is a fascinating track not only because of Kenner but.also the wonderful contribution of pianist Marques. Marques excels throughout bringing to mind Hank Jones on the more sedate numbers and a restrained Keith Jarrett on the less restrained numbers if that makes sense!

Berg and Green kick ass and the overall picture is of four guys looking to the future without forgetting the past.

The final track, Blue on Green, is for sitting in a Spanish Garden, perhaps sipping a glass of Jerez with a demure senora peeking provocatively over the top of a fluttering fan that she uses to cool herself whilst at the same time inflaming you. The senora smiles,  invites you to a moment of madness, a moment of sensuous pleasure. You accept and the record ends... but your life has just begun...

A fine album and a worthy successor to Kenner's debut album Brooklyn Sketches.which also contains a version of Blue in Green.

Shan Kenner - The  Behaviour of Vibration (Guitar Lotus Recordings) hits the street on July 30. More info.

Lance.