HB3: Poseidon: Fantasia For Piccolo Bass

HB3 is a bass guitarist who specializes in the piccolo bass; the instrument is tuned one octave higher than a bass and one octave lower than a guitar. It is a unique sound and HB3 plays very well. His fourth album is Poseidon: Fantasia For Piccolo Bass and is a sort of instrumental ode to the Gods of the sea not the least of which is the mighty Poseidon.

As with all his albums Poseidon continues the trend with some intriguing instrumental music. However, the mood is much more mellower this time around. Atmosphere, ambient mood and texture is the focus of this album which may or may not be your cup of tea. Personally, I happen to like the mellower vibe and playful instrumentation that pervades the album.

The fuzzier tones heard on previous albums are replaced with cleaner notes, shimmering rhythms and dreamier soundscapes. Often the songs build from sparser more minimalistic beginnings to a fuller sound created solely by HB3's piccolo bass. It is a unique sound and he makes the most out of his instrument.

The mood is set right from the start with the epic title track featuring cool harmonics, slow builds and crystal clear notes. You might argue that the song is a tad long but I enjoyed every minute. The dreamlike "Bay of 7 Moons" has an ethereal quality while "Poseidon's Dominion" has a sitar-like flavouring and an overall Arabian feel. The sparse arrangement gives way to some rapid bass runs while still maintaining a wistful vibe. In the pretty "Harbor Lights" the playing is slow and luxurious before the album ends with "Captain O My Captain" showcasing HB3's superb sense of rhythm.

Poseidon is another solid effort from HB3. It's a moody and atmospheric piece that still retains an experimental edge while skirting around some pretty fine melodies. Recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Poseidon: Fantasia for Piccolo Bass (15:28)
2. Bay of 7 Moons (5:17)
3. Aquarium of the Mind (4:47)
4. Poseidon's Dominion (5:21)
5. Mariner #4 (4:07)
6. Harbor Lights (2:07)
7. Captain O My Captain (4:38)

Added: February 27th 2012
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 2270
Language: english

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