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Eric
Roberts' solo debut "In A Silent Place" is 13 instrumental
tracks of pure escape music. Warm, reflective solo and
ensemble passages are blended with subtle jazz elements for music
that gently flows like a cool Colordo stream. Joining Roberts
on several sele tions are avant-garde cellist David Darling (formerly
of the Grammy-winning Paul Winter Consort and a recording artist
on the ECM, Hearts of Space and Relaxation labels), Robert Weinstein
on guitar and Ed Contreras on percussion.
The music ranges from lyrical and melodic instrumentals to spontaneous
collaborative and solo improvistions. There are minimalistic
tone poems, moody soundscapes, lighthearted and breezy romps, and thought-provoking
aural exporations...enought diversity to please even the most discerning
guitar fan; but, amazingly, the entire CD hangs together well, with
one piece smoothly flowing to the next, from first note to last.
The
title track, "In a Silent Place", and "Cella's Song", gently meander
from one's speakers like autumn breezes trough Colorado's golden aspen
trees. Carrying more than a hint of jazz, "journey Through Time"
and "Remembering You" would fit snugly into any ECM-phile's music library. The
series "Reflections I-II-III" are slightly more melodic than ambient
tone poems, but their sparseness reveals the suppleness of Roberts'
craft. Altogether, this is a graceful set punctuated by Darling's
dliciously moody cello musings, Weinstein's mellow guitar phrasings
, and the perky - but never overpowering - percussion of Contreras.
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