Positively natural pathways Brian Kastan – Trails

Positively natural pathways Brian Kastan – TRAILS:  Our most prolific friend Brian plays fretless bass on this magical excursion down the positively natural pathways of the Hudson River Valley… he’s joined by Ryan Berg on upright bass and Mike Pride doing drums, and you can watch a part of their performance together on this 17 minute segment of their sonically alluring session…

If you like what you saw and heard, I (most strongly) recommend that you SUBSCRIBE to Brian’s YouTube channel, where you’ll find many more inspiring videos; I’ve been there since he opened it up.

I reviewed Brian’s “Vivid Landscapes” release only a week or so ago, and was amazed at how sweet his fretless playing is… this new album has different players, but the intimate explorations on songs like the 5:51 “Heritage Trail” bring the glory of new pathways straight into your living room… the only way to truly absorb what the trio is doing, though, is to kick back with a long-neck (or a toilet-paper-roll bong of your favorite thang) with your headphones on.  At about the 3:12 mark on this piece, you’ll hear some fantastic “coloring” from Mike’s drums… great interplay between the drums, bass and fretless, where their explorations seem to emerge as one!

Brian told me that the double album was recorded in only one day, which is amazing in itself… as you listen to the languid pacing on the totally engaging “Stairway to Heaven Trail“, you will feel the energy that emanates from a simple walk through the positive energy and beauty of nature’s creations.

Your aural appendages won’t believe the beauty of the weave achieved on “Sterling Forest Loop“… it’s a “simple” sequence, but abounds with the kind of clarity you only find when the players are “in touch” with each other’s vision of the music… this is one of the best performances I’ve heard (yet) in 2021!

It was one of the longer performances that I enjoyed so much that it was a “natural” for my choice as personal favorite of the thirteen (long) songs Brian and his crew offer up for our sonic enlightenment… “Ramapo Dunderber Trail” is located next to a lake near Tuxedo Park, New York, and the 9:25 length of the piece gives each player a chance to express the sheer joy of being at one with the surroundings.  The interplay between Brian’s fretless action and Ryan’s upright is totally enchanting, and (again) brings all the beauty of fresh air and sunlight right into your listening room.

I give Brian and his playmates a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) score of 4.99.  Get more information on Brian’s BandCamp page for the album.             Rotcod Zzaj

#Positively #natural #pathways #Brian #Kastan

Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
Dick Metcalf (aka Rotcod Zzaj) is a globe-hopping musician and poet who spent many years roving the world until he finally settled in his current abode, Lacey, Washington... just down the road from Seattle. He started IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION magazine in 1990 (still being published), and Contemporary Fusion Reviews magazine in 2016. He also was a keyboard player & singer for many years... you can hear (and download for free) many of those works at his "Internet Archive Collection". If you'd like to support our efforts and get something in return, there are also a few of these albums for sale on the Rotcod Zzaj BandCamp site"

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