Brett Garsed is back with another solo cd, only his second since his first "Big Sky" from 2003, and as great an impression as Big Sky made on me back then, this cd is even more impressive for the simple reason that he has inject a ton more intensity compositionally speaking. Big Sky is an amazing release, and highlights Bretts more introspective writing ability, keen melodic sense, and his penchant for creating music that endures for the ages. 

 

Here on "Dark Matter" he unleases all spectrums of his musical identity which is multi-faceted as those who follow Brett's carreer can attest. Brett Garsed is one of those musicians that is in the "Rare Air" atmosphere, and has the golden touch when concerning his playing, writing, and creativity. As those who know can tell you, he is one to keep an ear open for. From is humble beginings as a plumber and later performing with John Farnham, The Nelsons. He would get more noteriety as a "Shredder" through the Varney's on the MVP release - Centrifugal Funk (1990) which also featured fellow Aussie - Frank Gambale and the now departed - Shawn Lane as well as his long time friend and musician partner TJ Helmerich. Brett and TJ would release a few cds as a team, all of which are fantastic. Bretts history as a guitarist is the stuff of legends, far too many excellent must have recordings to mention here, but trust me, he is in demand for a reason. 

 

This cd - Dark Matter is a step back into more intense territory for Brett from his sound on Big Sky, which featured more comtemplative compostions, and excellent cd in it's own right. Yet here is the music that people have come to know Brett for, great writing, performances, production and some excellent guests. The cd seems to end far too soon, as always seems to be the case when I listen to his music. Dark Matter, the titles track starts out the cd with a heavy hitter. Displaying his signature mutated legato/hybrid picking technique over a very hard hitting backdrop of odd time signatures, otherworldly sounds, very reminscent of the Planet X stuff, or On The Virg for that matter. 

 

There are no dull moments, a few slower songs to keep your blood pressure at even keel, this cd is everything you want on a Brett Garsed solo cd, and if you are at all like myself, you will be returning frequently to hear it over and over. Definitely a buy of die cd for fusion fans the world over.