{"id":7858,"date":"2021-03-09T15:25:11","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T14:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/?p=7858"},"modified":"2024-06-16T15:53:43","modified_gmt":"2024-06-16T13:53:43","slug":"nick-fletcher-cycles-of-behaviour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/cd-recensie\/nick-fletcher-cycles-of-behaviour\/","title":{"rendered":"Nick Fletcher – Cycles of Behaviour"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Als je deze recensie liever in het Nederlands leest, kun je hier klikken<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The multitalented guitarist Nick Fletcher has been a session musician for decades. This Briton plays with John Hackett, among others. Steve Hackett says that Nick is perhaps the best jazz rock guitarist in England. Moreover, Steve praises Nick’s incredible control and technique on classical guitar. On 26 March, Nick’s solo album ‘Cycles of Behaviour’ will be released, containing eight jazz fusion\/prog rock songs. The leading theme is the current situation in the world, which is much broader than Corona alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Cycles of Behaviour’ starts catchy with the title track. The surprising thing is that the keyboards can be heard in abundance right away. In general, the turns are subtle. Next to Russ Wilson’s excellent drumming, you can hear Nick’s fantastic guitar playing, of course. But he never put himself too much in the foreground. Because of this, there is enough room for nice bass grooves and pleasant keyboard work. This instrumental track seems to die away, but it is a transition to a beautiful calmer piece. Then the end is unexpected after all. ‘Heat is Rising’ has a pleasant flow. Fans will of course immediately recognize John’s friendly singing voice. Also, in terms of music, there are influences of John Hackett. On the one hand, it is logical, because it is a very good combination. On the other hand, it might be less surprising. When John sings, the music is a bit less rocking, so vocals and music stay in balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The layers in ‘Hope in your Eyes’ melt together beautifully. When Russ starts drumming, his way of drumming fits in with the quiet atmosphere. The flute playing also fits in perfectly. The guitar playing forms a beautiful contrast with the dreamy atmosphere. The twists and turns flow into each other. The ‘sugary’ (background) vocals fit the whole. The organ playing gives ‘Tyrant and Knave’ more punch. The guitar play is finger licking. This rocking part (Tyrant) is based on Trump and Putin. There is a wonderful turn to the quiet part, ‘Knave’. This is about the supporters who follow their leaders. Certain rocking elements return, yet this instrumental track ends quietly. After the instrumental, slightly classical orientated and mysterious ‘Desolation Sound’ follows the uplifting ‘Interconnected’. You can hear John’s influences in both, vocals and music. Yet Nick really puts his own sound into it. In ‘Annexation’ there is a beautiful change from ‘ear-catching’ rustic music to rock. In this more heavy part you can hear a touch of classical music in the background. Despite the contrast, this forms a sublime blend that is reminding of Steve Hackett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Philosopher King’ has a compelling start with calm vocals that fit in well. The division between instrumental and vocal parts is fine. In the background, beautiful, slightly classical elements are added regularly. Most of the twists and turns run smoothly into each other, but there is also an unexpected change to an up-tempo piece. This fast piece is sometimes slightly chaotic, but the balance is maintained.The transition to a quiet piece, with compelling guitar play, is superb. The turns keep coming, one even more beautiful than the other. The instrumental part gets deeper and deeper under my skin. The fade out of this fantastic epic is actually too fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of the returning elements in several songs, you would almost forget how complicated the songs are put together. There are all kinds of details in every song, such as the percussion. Some of them you only notice after a few listens. The songs on ‘Cycles of Behaviour’ are quite different from each other and yet they form a beautiful whole. Time after time, Nick’s versatile guitar work stands out. In general, he is underrated, it’s time to change that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(85\/100) (Own Management)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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