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Richard Gonzalez - Gratitude Sea This prolific composer, poet, electric guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, who is first and foremost a spiritual seeker, from Miami who has performed in South Florida and New York City on his own, with his own band and with other Latin musicians. Shades of Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin�s Indian influences, with sprinklings of Clapton, Dimiola and Narada Michael's Walden earlier jazzy solo albums are reflected in his works. He believes in the spontaneity of the moment, one-take studio work and flowing improvisation for the live show. Richard has been playing for 30 years, 3 years back his inner pilot moved him back to music after years of living away from the music scene uncomfortable with the industries unreasonable demands and outlook. He has great belief in the music that is flowing through him and has been encouraged by the positive feedback from the Internet and from live audiences wherever he has played. But then if your personal motto is I'd rather wear out than rust out -- Swami Vivekananda, then there doesn�t seem to be much chance of him taking a no for an answer or for leaving any stone unturned (I guess that is where I come in). He has recorded a healthy total of nine titles over a period of less than three years. Richard plays most of the instruments on his albums using a Roland MC-80 sequencer & Roland GR-30 guitar synth, Yamaha digital drum set, various world percussion instruments (among them a Chinese gong and an Indian damaru) and of course electric guitars (PRS Santana I model, PRS Swamp Ash Special, Gibson DC-Standard, Gibson Les Paul Standard and an Ibanez V series) and MESA/Boogie Nomad 50 amp. He also finds time to play bass guitar on many of the productions. This prolific composer continues to evolve his unique style, moving easily from world and jazz to rock, blues, Latin and a sincere fusion of all of the above, though Richard calls it "Inner music". This music does not follow a set pattern, particular genre, nationality or social structure. It has its source in the inner silence of the soul. He hopes this music�s evolutionary; inspiring, stimulating and invigorating qualities will lift and awaken people to this Inner Light we all possess and to the Oneness of all of Creation. The first CD, The Ascent of Man, was released in October 1998 and has received critical acclaim. As Vinyl Trade e-zine declared, Richard�s guitar playing ��moves one from one emotional feeling to the next.� His ��flowing guitar leads lap gently against your mind� while ��Latin and rock influences combine to burn the ears with stinging guitar leads. Gratitude Sea is a 16 track compilation of mostly instrumentals, spanning all of his current work. It is also a great starting point for the new comer. Soaring electric guitar work over Latin & rocky rhythms fly from the speakers. They always sound fresh and inspiring. Track no 1 La Frontera Del Corazon is a fast and furious Santana-like rock track. The tempo remains up for the epic Fall of Death with its liquid guitar lines and some cool Latin percussion plus dynamic arrangement which trys to capture the dramatic feel of the title. Though we are in Santana territory Richard brings in his own individual feel and vision that sets the song apart. �It is the Love Divine�, a very sweet and gentle instrumental ballad which effortlessly seduces and hypnotises the listener, one can almost feel Richard reaching down into his soul trying to pick the right notes. Another of my favourite tracks on the album. Above the Towering Peaks is just that, great guitar work that soars high in the sky and segues beautifully into the reflective and poetic Between Nothingness and Eternity a jazzier piece that could have come out of the Santana �Welcome� era. Sword of Liberation a furious rocker with jazz-rock backing and a guitar that�s definitely decided to cut through all the chains that are holding back this soul. Mima: Luz, Amor, y Coraje is another good track on which he is backed by his wife Christine on piano. The Claptonesque 9.43 epic �Soul of Fire� is highly enjoyable and uplifting, one of best numbers on the album. It is so good that it sounds not a second over 4 min. The first part consists of Claptonesque bluesy staccato notes, this is followed by some Carlos-like sustains, whilst the last section can only be described as pure Richard Gonzalez. The reflective and Latin tinged melodic instrumental �On the first Day of Forever� is seamlessly followed by the very aggressive Corazon de Leon to great effect, it seems as if both are parts of the same song. You Are the One, is another nice instrumental but it is completely blown away by �The Ascent of Man� the title track from his first album. Richard seems to have drawn up this combination from his latin/Rock with some Jazz flavourings, but it would have been even better if he had added some tracks that show off his Indian/World music influences. Just a minor gripe. Richard Gonzalez seems like an exciting, fresh, raw, rough talent just waiting to explode on us. I hope he get his management deal going and we get a chance to see this guy live. Give him a listen!!! CDs: Gratitude-Sea (June 2001) Heart Victory Dance (March 2001) Live In the Heart of Miami (February 2001) Gerundive (November 2000) Heart of Lion Yearning (September 2000) Winging the Infinite (February 2000) La Frontera de Corazon (December 1999) The Sword of Liberation (June 1999) The Ascent of Man (October 1998) CONTACT: Richard Gonzalez: E-mail /obtain his music: [email protected] Listen to music: http://www.besonic.com/RichardGonzalez Or http://www.besonic.com/illumination |
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