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review by Bill Binkelman Keyboard player John Balint destroys the myth of the "sophmore slump" with this superb CD, his second from his own Bliss Wave Record label. After about three playings of the album, I had this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that this most pleasing and inviting music reminded me of another artist, but I couldn't remember who. Finally, it hit me. Connected is a second cousin to the gone-but-not-forgotten instrumental duo Val Gardena. Like that duo, Balint excels at crafting accessible and even radio-friendly music that borrows elements from jazz and adult contemporary music but integrates these elements into a new age music framework with immensely agreeable results. What do I mean specifically? Well, take the opening title track. There is both a strong rhythmic presence (realistic drum kit percussion) but also warm electronic keyboards of a plucked string variety and plaintive piano. The song itself blends a laid-back "island" vibe with a softly rocking beat, with nary of trace of smooth jazz anywhere. This is the kind of music that Val Gardena excelled at on their first two albums (River of Stone and On the Bridge). While Balint refers to his own music (on the CD's cover) as "instrumental music for relaxation," I think that's selling it short. Sure, songs like "Sanctuary of moments" (with its opening Dan Hartman New Green Clear Blue keyboard textures) is certainly relaxing music. But, some people will read this description and think "Oh, this is just another new age music album." Au contraire, mon frer! Balint's musicianship is superb and is not just a buncha noodling around on assorted synthesizers - this is someone who knows how to play the keyboards and. likewise, knows how to compose likable catchy melodies without them sounding overly commercial or superficial. No small feat, that! The fact that he produced this himself is equally impressive. There are no technical or conceptual missteps on the album. Engineering is faultless (drums are particularly well placed in the mix) and the variety of music track-to-track (while still maintaining the continuity of his ultra-laid-back vibe) is admirable, to say the least. I couldn't single out any one or two songs as favorites because seldom have I enjoyed every cut on a CD as much as I do on this one. Whether adding his fine wordless vocals to the music (as he does on several songs, such as the flowing and dreamy "Dreamtrance in 11/8" or the softly swaying rhythms of "In a new age country") or letting his assorted keyboards do the work (check out the wistful piano-led "Friend coming home" or its follow-up, "Leaving together" which opens with fat bass, synth chords, sampled vibes and a distinct bluesy/jazzy feel), Balint displays a keen ear for finding the perfect meeting place of accessible melodies and a drifting sense of relaxation. Whether exploring quasi-tribal electronica on "100 years from now," new age jazz textures on "Knowing what to save" or the lazily drifting pace of piano and sampled guitar on "Beneath the blue III," Connected is an extremely accomplished piece of work by an artist who deserves a lot more recognition than he is currently receiving. John Balint is like the cover photo of a smiling rubber toy Buddha holding a cup of coffee and a cell phone - embracing all the conveniences and technology of our modern world but wrapping it all up in a package that invites the listener to "take it easy" and explore the connection that exists between us all. If you are seeking new age music that is not overloaded with ethereal textures but is instead immersed in simple human feeling amidst modest yet superbly realized musical compositions, Connected is your ticket to fifty-two minutes of a sonic trip to a tropical island where your cares and concerns float away on the tide. Highly recommended! |
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