Blake, Jason: Imaginary Cages

This is the latest solo release from Chicago based guitarist Jason Blake which features him playing his revolutionary Warr guitar, a twelve stringing instrument which incorporates both lead and bass guitar. He, alongside his solo work is a member of the instrumental/progressive band Aziola Cry, who released the critically acclaimed The Ironic Divide last year after some time away from the music scene, and on this solo release the listener is treated to Blake`s heady mix of Prog/Classical and Ambient soundscapes.

Imaginary Cages, is a six song suite, incredibly recorded without overdubs. The albums opening track `Abstractions of Truth` is a testament to Blake’s innovative playing. It’s a hypnotic piece that builds on a deceptively simple melody creating a real sense of melancholia, and I can certainly hear traces of Steven Wilson (in his more ambient mode) within the song too.

`Obscured Clarity` is a beautifully put together delicate number that glides effortlessly through its 9 minute length taking the listener along with it all the way, such is the nature of Blake’s playing. The short `Drawn And Distrait` has an ethereal quality to it, which gives way to `Buried In Contemplation` that has both progressive and classical elements contained within it, and I found myself drawing comparisons with the 1970`s works of Mike Oldfield.

`Lost Reveries` has an earnest quality to it with its strutting /jagged melody, and the album closes with the longest track, the 10 minute` Denouement Of Logic` which has, to my ears anyway a certain` Sci-Fi` feel to it, whether that was intended or not I’m not sure, but it works beautifully, and yet it still manages to retain its gracefulness.

The artist himself says of the thought processes behind the recording of this album that he wanted to explore the loneliness that can occupy one’s mind, and I would say on this evidence he has executed it perfectly, it’s a thought provoking album that’s requires the full attention of the listener to take on board all of the nuances within the playing.

Track Listing
1. Abstractions Of Truth
2. Obscured Clarity
3. Drawn And Distrait
4. Buried In Contemplation
5. Lost Reveries
6. Denouement Of Logic

Added: January 6th 2023
Reviewer: Malcolm Smith
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 899
Language: english

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