Ricardo Pinheiro - Dança Do Pólen

R

Inner Circle Music

Portuguese guitarist Ricardo Pinheiro is known for interpretations of Bill Evans with his trio. He studied at Berklee and has played alongside Pete Erskine and David Liebman. So how will he fare in the demanding context of a solo guitar album? All the compositions are his own and there is plenty of variety - one, two or three electric or acoustic guitars, a range of striking effects and 10 tracks over 35 minutes. The music tends to be in free tempo with lead lines over chords or arpeggios, very "guitaristic" and beautifully played.

There's a lot to love about these pieces; the title track begins with finger style acoustic lines, accompanied by electric guitar chords with pulsating tremolo. A third guitar then joins with a surprising "fretless" sound playing some blistering fusion lines over a syncopated pattern in 6/8 time. "September" has solo electric playing a spacious call and response between melody and chords.

"O Monstrengo" begins with a landcape of wind sounds, then a volume pedal guitar which sounds like a foghorn. It builds with panning reverb, shifting note clusters and gong-like tones, apparently using ring modulation. This threatening ambience takes us on a 6 minute trip to the frontiers of noise; an impressive production which left me wanting more.

Pineiro has an extensive pedal board which he's not afraid to use but the effects on this album are mostly subtle; for example reverse echo which is low enough in the mix to be mysterious on "Love song". The overall sound design doesn't quite match the wide-screen immersiveness of albums like Pat Metheny's "One quiet night" or Martin Taylor's "Artistry" which both set the bar high for solo guitar. Ricardo achieves a powerful and focused low end, a particular strength of the Taylor guitars he uses, but the top end sometimes lacks detail.

The harmonies are always interesting; classic jazz voicings contrast with some distinctly Heitor Villa-Lobos touches. This music definitely repays repeated listening.

© Stephen Godsall

You can find out more at https://www.ricardopinheiro.com