Paradise Borders (March 16th 2018)
|
|
Nicolas Guay (Guitar / Compositions)
Length : 62’25 Label : Contrastes Records Distributor : Universal Music Spain -> Buy the CD : Contrastes Records, Fnac (ES) -> Buy the digital CD : Qobuz (Lossless, CD quality) / Apple Music (compressed)
|
“In this album,Nicolas Guay performs not less than ten pieces of his own compositions. Beside his guitarist’s undeniable qualities, Nicolas Guay show us with this recording the full range of the ecclectism of his musical universe, of his career as a musician and of his influences, with in particulary songs composed in Roland Dyens’s memory (prelude in G minor), Paco de Lucia (sonata 2) or again Steve Lukather, legendary guitarist from Toto(Pop Fantasy which begins the album). A whole universe in which we find great pleasure to listen to, even if you are not a guitarist, and whose originality and richness are remarkable. Notice that we can listen to this CD as a soundtrack of a movie as the booklet contains a part of a scenario and a storyboard, proposing a different way of listenning. “
Pascal Proust – Guitare Classique Magazine
Campanas de la Esperanza
|
|
Guitar, compositions : Nicolas Guay
Percussions : Ismaïl Mesbahi Length : 43’54” Label :Adélie prod
|
NEMA – Heaven Way
 |
Guitar, compositions : Nicolas Guay
Piano : Joël Clement Double bass, artistic direction : Franck Girard Drums : Philippe Bostvironnois Length : 56’06 -> You can buy the DVD on docdvdonline
|
“Nema: amen spelt backwards. By chance or by design that the name of this group evokes liturgical vocabulary. Four musicians – guitar, piano, double bass and drums- hardened although unknown to the public, coming from different musical chapels – jazz, traditional, contemporary – decide one day to meet… What comes from it? A crossbreeding, perhaps several, which you won’t risk arranging in a precise category.
The album begins and concludes with tributes, the first to the pianist and Spanish professor of composition Vicente Asencio, the second to the rock of Led Zeppelin! Besides, the fans of the group to the airship will have fun finding the composers who inspired this last title “Heaven Way”. Elsewhere, some will evoke the influences of the Cuban Ruben Gonzalez (“Flamencotille”) or of the French Erik Satie (“Obsession”). “Funky Trip” finally reminds us that funk is a mixture of rock’n’roll and very rhythmic jazz.
Nema travels not only from one culture to another but also between contrasted ambiences: from serenity to concern, joke to anger and meditation to frenzy. The instruments do not only produce melodies, but also express their moods with a pretty sturdy character.
Would this be paradise for all or a creation reserved for an elite music lover? Communion with such a UFO is not obvious. A jazz feeling seems necessary, while a taste for progressive rock’n’roll will help to appreciate certain lengths rather than to undergo them. You cumulate both? You will receive Heaven Way as blessed bread. You have neither one, nor the other, but a thirst for discovery without blinkers? Convert! The mass is said, amen.”
Julien Weyer – Critiques ordinaires
“The Nema array is a superb creation, with compositions by Nicolas Guay being piercingly efficient. The direction of each individual piece is skillfully led toward conclusive progression, as successive solo interpretations from the four musicians, are intelligently related, and musically weld-on together.
Virtuosity is not the only ingredient, as poetry and finesse are equally shown. From Gibraltar, with echoes of d’Aranjuez, to the homage of Led Zep… not forgetting the explosive Funky Trip, or the terrific Quartal or further still, the haunting Obsession; and how about Heaven Way. To be consumed without moderation!”
The compositions
With NEMA (Guitar – Drums – Piano – Double bass)
Guitar
Guitar and Orchestra / Guitar with chamber music
|
|
