Greg Ashley
(Birdman)
Greg Ashley's day job finds him playing guitar with a group called Gris Gris, but whatever individual fame he's acquired up until now probably has more to do with the title bestowed on his last solo opus, 2007's Medicine Fuck Dream. Unfortunately, that's somewhat deceiving. With the more studiously dubbed Requiem Mass and Other Experiments, Ashley shows he's more academic than insurgent, as evidenced by nine selections conceived from both classical and avant-garde motifs. Despite only subtle shifts to distinguish these dirge-like instrumentals, Ashley studiously melds his ample guitar skills to the accompaniment afforded by cello, violin and a small brass ensemble, creating an imaginary experimental soundtrack in the process.
Ultimately, it's the four-part "Requiem Mass" suite that dominates the proceedings, but given its somber tones, it's likely only a one-time listen. "Symmetric Jugging," with its ponderous rhythms and fluid, freeform core, is more intriguing, as is the appropriately oriental/abstract symmetry of "Chinese New Year." Unfortunately, however, as a whole, Requiem Mass and Other Experiments yields only mixed results. An album that suggests serious intentions, it never quite attains the artistic transcendence it aspires to.
DOWNLOAD: "Symmetric Jugging," "Chinese New Year" LEE ZIMMERMAN
