OT: a nice review

["max valentino" <ekstasis1@hotmail.com>]

Hi all...just got back from a cross-country trek (played solo looping 
shows 
in Utah, Nebraska, South Dakota, Idaho, wyoming...all the places we 
looper's 
don't usually get to (unless there is a Snake River LoopFest in the works 
that I have not heard of....)
All the shows were warmly recieved, even tho I was more than once greeted 
with the (somewhat expected) "how'd you do that?"  Nontheless, it was a 
gas, 
and a relative success.
Just wanted to congratulate all the Y2K2 Loopers...I wish I coulda been 
there!  And another big salute to Rick!

Oh..to the point.  I found my new CD reviewed at bassically.net, and 
thought 
I might share with you (since everyone here seems to enjoy posting their 
reviews!)


"From Ekstasis Productions comes bassist Max Valentino's debut solo 
project, 
A Caravan of Dreams. On his first self-produced outing, Valentino paints 
haunting soundscapes, explores exotic Middle Eastern flavors, and reveals 
hints of Spanish vibes. Utilizing his instrument of choice, the Godin A4 
acoustic bass guitar, throughout the majority of the tracks, and 
state-of-the-art sound processing technology, Valentino has assembled a 
thoughtfully textured collection of multi-dimensional, looped-based 
compositions. While most of the tracks found on this recording are based 
on 
live improvisations, you'd never be able to tell it. These tracks sound so 
good, it seems like Valentino's dense orchestrations were meant to be. 
Although some tracks are developed into seriously interwoven electronic 
arrangements, Valentino's acoustic bass guitar lends an organic feel 
throughout his music. Unlike the rut in which many of today's contemporary 
bass loopers find themselves falling into, Valentino is able to maintain 
the 
listeners attention from start to finish. Valentino's compositions are all 
wide ranging in sounds, styles, and textures. During his sonic 
exhibitions, 
Valentino demonstrates his skills as a composer by producing completely 
eclectic, unaccompanied compositions with intense chordal workouts, 
slapping, two-handed tapping, and traditional fingerstyle techniques. Lush 
chordal sequences, lyrically improvised melodic phrases, and 
percussive-laden figures are all infused into this recording. A complete 
track listing includes: "Into That Still Dark Night", "Alegria", "Here & 
Now", "Djam Karet", "Drifting", "A Caravan of Dreams", "Farfetched", 
"Anika's Tune", "Hidden Roads", "Ghost Town", and "Into That Still Dark 
Night (Reprise)." Bottom Line: With his debut release, A Caravan of 
Dreams, 
Max Valentino has redefined the future of solo bass performance. 
Emotionally 
evocative, wholly musical, and technically awe-inspiring best describe 
this 
recording."

The CD is heavily loop-laden, which is barely mentioned here, but then 
again 
it is a bass-site.
Nonetheless, it was a good thing to come home to.
Max

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