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Meet Reviewer Damian Erskine -
Joe Zawinul @ the Zawinul Syndicate
“75″
www.zawinulmusic.com
I couldn’t possibly write anything here that hasn’t been written before about Joe Zawinul or the Zawinul Syndicate but I can tell you that this album is just magical. Recorded on Joe’s 75th birthday (two months before dying of cancer) at a festival in Lugano, Switzerland, this was to be the bands last multitrack recorded performance (also included is a beautiful duo performance by Joe and Wayne Shorter of In a Silent Way which was recorded in Hungary. Sadly, a performance which would be Joe’s last).
Despite being in poor health, Joe and the band deliver in a big way. The band sounds as good as I’ve ever heard and the performances are just awe inspiring. The Syndicate are simply playing their respective a**es off here and in listening to this amazing double-live CD, I couldn’t help but feel like this recording was Joe’s final gift to the world. Do yourself a favor, buy this set and listen to it… over and over again. It doesn’t get any better than these guys. (and check out Linley Marthe’s bass solo on “Fast City / Two Lines”… WHOOOOOoooo…)
Damian Erskine has written 160 articles in BMM.
Damian Erskine is not your ordinary bass player. While not touring, Damian hones his chops with some of the best jazz and latin musicians the West coast has to offer. Damian is known for his ability to fit into any musical situation and his extraordinary reading and improvising skills. Damian has played in the studio or on the stage with the likes of • Peter Erskine • Teri-Lynn Carrington • Gino Vannelli • John Ellis • Shawn Pelton • Sveti w/ Marko Djordjevic • Luis Conte • Brandon Ross • Les McCann • Jeff Lorber • Vardan Ovsepian • Charmaine Neville • Jessy J • Luis Perdomo • Tony Furtado • Kate Schutt • Bobby Torres • Alan Jones • Patrick Lamb • Dan Balmer • Klezmocracy and many others as well as being featured on the GospelChops.com "Shed Sessionz Vol. 1" DVD. Whether playing as a sideman or with his own group, he is known for his rock solid bass work, virtuosic solos and thoughtful chordal abilities.
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