Rising Fusion Guitar Hero Alex Machacek Unveils
Astonishing Chops and a Flood of Ideas on FAT
Scheduled for September 18th release on Abstract Logix
(Los Angeles) - Alex Machacek, the amazing fusion guitarist, has done it again. Combining mindboggling fluidity, daredevil string-skipping technique and audacious intervallic leaps on the guitar (ones that will make even the most ardent Allan Holdsworth fan take notice), has taken his penchant for precision ensemble playing and created a collection of audible art that rivals the late, great Frank Zappa's. Machacek takes the lead on FAT (Fabulous Austrian Trio), to be released on September 18th through Abstract Logix.
The extraordinary Austrian native, and current California resident, has upped the ante on all of his previous outings with FAT (Fabulous Austrian Trio). As heard on the rhythmically complex and slightly tongue-in-cheek "Why Not (aka Disco Polka)," and the equally intricate "Safe Word", Machacek is ably accompanied on his sophomore outing by superb drummer Herbert Pirker and outstanding bassist Raphael Preuschl. This trio appeared together on various tracks from Machacek's impressive 2005 debut, {Sic}, from Abstract Logix.
Machacek recalls, "My last recording was 24 Tales, a 're-composition' of an existing 51-minute long drum solo by Marco Minnemann, and the focus there was on composition. On FAT, I wanted to have more improvisations and more emphasis on interplay…just like a band, so to speak." That kind of organic interplay can be heard between Machacek, Pirker and Preuschl on the ethereal ballad "What A Time To Be Me" and the spacious "Let's Not Argue," the latter which has Alex playing baritone guitar. As a kind of relief from the astounding intricacy and unisons demonstrated elsewhere throughout FAT, there is the gorgeous solo bass piece "Ton Portrait" (a nod to the late, great Jaco Pastorius's anthemic "Portrait of Tracy") and the atmospheric closer, "Let's Not Argue," which incorporates a great deal of breath between the notes while still showcasing Machacek's inimitable six-string facility. The guitarist reserves his most lyrical playing for "D-Lite" and on "The Life of Herbert P." he creates a 're-composition' around an existing drum solo by Pirker. The Fabulous Austrian Trio also generates some potent swinging momentum on the album's jazziest number, "Studio Swing."
Machacek will play an album release party on September 2nd at Porgy & Bess in Vienna, Austria. www.porgy.at
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