Album Review: Heat Songs from George Nazos

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Album:  Heat Songs
Artist:  George Nazos
Label:   Street of Stars
Website:  www.georgenazos.com

Born in Athens, Greece and working in New York City, guitarist-composer George (Giorgos) Nazos blends various styles of guitar from acoustic jazz and flamenco to collaborative freestyle and ambient.  Nazos moves through a gamut of expressions on his latest recording Heat Songs, weaving sublime sensations in the chord sequences integrated with improvised patterns.  His studies on the guitar demonstrate his imaginative leanings and melodic sensibilities.  Joined by Harvie S on bass, Tony Jefferson on drums, and vocalist Tamuz Nissim, the effort is a finely orchestrated collaboration.

Nissim's soothing lullaby-lilt along "Bird on a Wire" is catacomb by Nazos' guitar trickles as his chords amble in a meditative fashion.   Plucking at notes in a freestyle manner across "Our Melody," Nazos creates a mosaic of sounds framed in Harvie S' throbbing bass.  Their expressive doodles on their respective instruments intrigue the listener, turning to a heady bop-like simmer on the title track.  Entwining winding melodic strands, Nazos teases his notes, producing varying degrees of tautness.

Psychedelic hues reflected in the soundscapes traverse across "Evident" highlighted by Nazos' reverberating guitar chords., which switch to a soft ambient shade along "Pebbles" as Nazos' guitar riffs course a smooth flamenco sway.  The molten phrasing of his guitar through "Another Sound" is a striking improvisation, which changes to the soft glistening passages kindling "Intersections."  Nazos' guitar patterns mobilize a dynamic interplay through "Changing Lanes," forming three autonomous tiers of communication that converge into a single willowy sonorous through "Dreaming."

Comprised of all original compositions, Nazos' latest release of imaginative scores showcases his ability to assemble melodic motifs as well as his inclination to collaborate with band members to form striking improvisations.   His acumen to communicate his thoughts is expansive and shows a boundless craving.

Musicians:
George Nazos - guitar
Harvie S - bass
Tony Jefferson - drums
Tamuz Nissim - vocals

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