Intents and Purposes (Enja Records, 2015)
American guitarist, music producer, and composer has taken some of the most iconic jazz-rock fusion pieces of the 1970s and recreated them with a fabulous acoustic format. Abbasi is a guitar virtuoso who breathes new life into the electric classics.
I’m not a fan of many covers or recreations, but in this case, Abassi creates superb new versions with an unconventional mix of guitars, vibraphone, bass and drums. The fusion maestros of the 1970s were groundbreakers and Abbasi treats this music with respect, with depth and elegance.
Abbasi continues the innovation tradition by using various types of guitars that generate mesmerizing sounds. The interaction with the other instrument is truly mesmerizing, especially with the vibraphone.
If you are a fusion fan, you’ll immediate recognize the classics by some of the finest acts in fusion history, including Return to Forever, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Mahavishnu, Larry Coryell, Pat Martino, Billy Cobham, and Tony Williams.
The lineup on the album includes Rez Abbasi on steel string, baritone and fretless guitars; Bill Ware on vibraphone; Stephan Crump on acoustic bass; and Eric McPherson on drums.
Rez Abbasi was born August 27, 1965 in Karachi, Pakistan. He moved with his parents to the United States and grew up in Los Angeles, California. He studied jazz and classical music at the University of Southern California and Manhattan School of Music. Later he went to India, where he learned from percussionist Alla Rakha. In 1987, Abbasi moved to New York City.
Intents and Purposes showcases exquisite re-interpretations of jazz-rock classics by one of the rising guitarists in the American jazz and fusion scenes.