This is what happens when you put a heavy metal guitar
legend with jazz chops on guitar after he has travelled the world and met a
diverse group of twenty seven musicians, with multiple musical styles and
novel instruments. It becomes a worldwide collaboration called Planetary
Coalition and it releases a self-titled organic album of fan participation that
hopes to become a movement.
Led by Testament lead guitarist Alex Skolnick on acoustic
guitar, the project is a Gaia-inspired panoply of world music and musicians
with a focus on social and environmental issues as well as music.
Planetary Coalition . . .
The self-titled release sets Skolnick off into new
territory. The shredder shows he is a guitar master of multiple styles -
gypsy jazz, Indian raga, flamenco, folklorico, and middle eastern percussion -
in addition to rock. Skolnik plays along with santoor, tabla, kora,
pipa, kanun and a plethora of talent. The core of Planetary Coalition is
a revolving list of virtuoso players from around the world collaborating with
Skolnik on a track or two of this fascinating 14 track effort. But wait,
there’s more. On the album there are guest appearances by Rodrigo y
Gabriela, Kiran Ahluwalia, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Adnan Joubran, and the
NY Gypsy All Stars, among others!
This is not a rock album or traditional jazz album - far
from it. It explores with amazing mastery and virtuosity Gypsy, Middle
Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, Asian,
African, Latin and other indigenous lands music.
Why release this album now; what is the purpose?
Planetary Coalition’s press release tells us:
. . .The Coalition’s mission
can be summed up with a simplicity that belies the magnitude of its vision: By
connecting musical elements, we can deepen the connection and understanding
between peoples
The album’s release date, November 11, 2014. I promise you
it will deepen your connection and understanding of the incredible universe of
world music. It just may expand your musical, and mental, horizons.
- Old School
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