Robert Gomez might live in a Brooklyn basement, but the music on Robert Gomez Trio (Basement Front) is lofty indeed. Wielding a Godin electric-acoustic nylon-string, he suspends his improvisations over vibrant grooves (provided by drummer Bill Campbell and bassist Mike McGuirk) with freedom and grace that carry the ear on a colorful journey that encompasses delicate melodies, rippling arpeggios, thought-provoking chords and seamless technical displays. His own compositions-a synthesis of Latin, postmodal and other elements-provide the vehicles for Robert and friends to work their conceptual and creative magic. Highlights include the grooving samba “Evocation,” “The Next One,” with its gorgeous extended solo guitar introduction, and “I-20 Blues,” a minor-key workout that ties together normally contradictory elements. Keep an eye on this guy.
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