Kevin Kastning Carl Clements: Nowhere, Now Here

With one album obviously not enough, Kevin Kastning, who has also recently released a guitar collaboration record with Mark Wingfield (Dark Sonatas), also shows his wares with a completely different partner on Nowhere, Now Here. This time the idea sparker is Carl Clemens, with his sparring instruments for Kastning's 30 string Contra-soprano guitar, and16 and 17 string Contraguitars, arriving in the shape of saxophone, flute and Indian flute. In structure the two albums are very similar in their intense and claustrophobic air. Both also finding the protagonists jostling in unison as they come together to invoke atmospheric and beautiful pieces; which tell stories as keenly as most lyric led releases. Again Kastning ducks and dives, using melody and structure as mere dropping off points for his ever evolving ideas. Interestingly however having the sax and flutes of Clemens on board this time results in something more overtly "Jazz" and while the wonderfully titled Nowhere, Now Here is far from many people's stereotypical idea of this genre, there's simply no doubt (unlike Dark Sonatas) that this is exactly where this album resides.

However, for a selection which comfortably stretches beyond the hour mark, there's a suggestion that a little more diversity would enhance the listening experience and truth be told, on occasion it is equally as easy to lose your place in this album as it is to lose yourself in the unquestionably skilled and expertly arranged pieces it delivers.

Nowhere, Now Here is a collection of music for dark nights and log fires; allowing you to dream of the good times and to ponder the results of the not so good. While I can't say it is an album I'll pull from the racks on a regular basis, it is one which makes you exercise your mind whenever you press play. Although every listen does evoke a lengthy and uncompromising journey every time you hear it.

Possibly a collaboration which might offer a little more light to the never ending shade created here would be one consisting Kastning, Clemens and Wingfield?

Track Listing
1. Lunar Incantation Precision
2. Somewhen
3. Incomparably Light and Repose
4. Deceptive Corridors Passing
5. Otherwheres
6. Overmorrow I
7. Rust in Form
8. Overmorrow II
9. Woven Sunlight and Leaving
10. First Hovering; First Vanishing
11. Into Propagation Suspension
12. A Whispered Believing
13. Delirium Membrane Circuit
14. Both Ends of Two Rainbows

Added: November 2nd 2013
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Kevin Kastning Online
Hits: 1798
Language: english

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