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Brad Shepik, The Well (62:44); SGL 1531-2
Songlines Recordings
1003-2323 W. 2nd Ave.
Vancouver, BC V6K 1J4, Canada
Phone: 604-737-1632
E-mail: treif@songlines.com
Cyberhome: www.songlines.com

Taking a cue from his work with the Paradox Trio, guitarist Brad 
Shepik continues to delve into Balkan and Middle Eastern sounds on 
this follow-up to 1997's The Loan (also on Songlines). Aiding 
Shepik are Peter Epstein on alto and soprano saxes, Skuli Sverrisson 
on electric bass, Michael Sarin on drums and percussion, and fellow 
Paradoxer Seido Salifoski on dumbek and percussion. Tracks like "The 
Flood," "Zephyr," and "Vapor Oro" zip along with head-spinning odd 
meters and fast unison melodies - very similar to the Paradox Trio. 
"The Well" is a little calmer, giving Shepik a chance to display his 
rich tone on the archtop acoustic. "Quiver of Veils" is calmer still, 
beginning with a nimble bass intro by Sverrisson. On several tracks 
Shepik employs the saz, a balkan stringed instrument with a ghostly 
timbre. But in stark contrast to the unfamiliar sound of the saz, 
Shepik offers up "Might Could," a multitracked acoustic guitar etude 
with moments that could be classed as McCartney-esque.

Shepik's got the mind of a pioneer. The rhythmic complexity of his compositions has few parallels in jazz - or any other genre, for that matter. With all his exotic influences, and all his different axes, he makes us rethink what it means to be a guitarist and a musician. There's no telling where he'll go next. ~David R. Adler

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