Review: Erik Scott

Erik Scott - Other Planets (EskiMusic)
A mood is created immediately by the sheer exuberance of the playing on "Bartalk", such a cracking track to open with. Erik Scott and his cohorts hit their stride straightaway, applying their musical muscle to the full. Throbbing bass lines and precise percussion provide an exemplary platform for the keyboards, and the mood created is equal to a beautiful dawn, the sun on your back, or maybe a pretty girl giving you a smile. From this superb opening track the music never falters, it just keeps on growing and evolving.

Scott displays real know-how when putting together these multi-layered tracks, and the ability to ensure cohesion amongst the musicians playing their part. The produced 'whole' is far greater because of it. He has had a long and varied career and here he brings in elements that are similar to some of the sounds and moods created by Pink Floyd. Then he’s added a little Weather Report into the mix; there’s a dash of Ennio Morricone too, and a touch of Chick Corea. None of it sounds particularly like any one of the aforementioned, or all of them together. Scott has turned out his own set of tunes with a unique sound, and the result is quite delicious.

He never allows the music to become tiresome. The longest track "Bassque Revolution" is less than six minutes, and the wonderful piano break is a classic moment, just before it runs out of steam (and possibly ideas... superb timing). Also, it never lacks direction, and no two tracks seem to go the same way, either. There is even a lighter moment when he bases a song called "Bathing Maui" on washing his dog... with a vocal, of sorts! And although the last track is called "Aliens Made Me Do This" I am dead certain that he built his own spaceship, and piloted it himself, out into the atmosphere. This musical suite about 'other' planets is pretty heavenly - yep, pun intended!
www.erikscottbass.com
Kev A.