With his engaging debut as a leader in Time Never Pauses, Chicago guitarist Hans Luchs offers up an intriguing batch of well-crafted originals and two delightfully reinterpreted standards. Luchs brings his trademark sound of polished elegance and understated, but definite passion to this captivating music. Opening with the darkly hued "Der Lumenmeister," the band sets an intimate ambience that permeates the entire disc. Trumpeter Shaun Johnson's lithe, melodic lines and burnished tones usher in the bubbling and erudite improvisation of Luchs that emerges out of the simmering ensemble play. Pianist Stu Mindeman complements Luchs with his crisp resonant and muscular chords that tumble over the composition’s dense, harmonic structure. Johnson superbly balances an intelligence and raw emotion with his inventive embellishments on the thrilling "Green Deluchs." His expressive performance matches Luchs’ refreshingly creative and fervent solo. Keeping with the electrifying nature of the tune drummer, George Fludas concludes with breathtaking and thunderous polyrhythms. Fludas’ hushed brushes and softly crashing cymbals enhance the spirituality of legendary composer, pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington’s classic, "Come Sunday." Bassist Clark Sommers takes center stage with supreme lyricism as his strings reverberate with evocative yearning. Through the core of the piece, Luchs’ blues-drenched guitar rolls with inspired ardor and vivid eloquence. Another ballad, "Elizabeth," has a warm lilting melody that the group spontaneously transforms into a spontaneous song of wistful sophistication and vibrant romanticism. Luchs makes his resonant strings chime and ring as he extemporizes with brilliance and a deep poetic sense. This charming album showcases Luchs’ writing skills as well as his superb instrumentalism and band leadership. Although none of the originals are particularly memorable, they are gracefully alluring. And together with the high-caliber musicianship, they make for a pleasantly satisfying listen. Time Never Pauses is a promising freshman effort from a superlatively talented and imaginative artist who is at the threshold of a distinguished career. ~ www.chicagojazz.com.
OA2 Records, 22123, 2015
Recorded 21st January, 2015
at Transient Sound Inc, Chicago, Illinois
Musicians:
Hans Luchs - Guitar
Shaun Johnson - Trumpet
Stu Mindeman - Piano
Clark Sommers - Bass
George Fludas - Drums
Juan Pastor - Congas (#1)
Tracks:
01. Das Lumenmeister {Hans Luchs} (6:23)
02. Elizabeth {Hans Luchs} (6:12)
03. Green DeLuchs {Hans
Luchs} (5:25)
04. Come Sunday {Duke
Ellington} (7:00)
05. Tuesday Night Delivery
{Hans Luchs} (5:21)
06. January Spring {Hans
Luchs} (4:44)
07. Hello Janssen {Hans
Luchs} (6:12)
08. Taylor Street Swing {Hans
Luchs} (4:27)
09. Get Out Of Town {Cole
Porter} (5:10)
10. 30 Rue Des Martyrs {Hans
Luchs} (8:29)
Total Time: 59:23
Credits:
Producer - Hans Luchs
Recording Engineer - Steven
Gillis
Mixing Engineer - Brian
Schwab, Chicago
Photography - Helmut Luchs
Cover Design & layout by
John Bishop
