Reviewed by MJBrady on 11 May 2002
Electric/Blue, - is the debut cd from six string violinist Joe Deninzon. The music reflected here can almost be described as a tribute to the handful of great violinists that graced the jazz and fusion idioms, allowing the unique voice of the violin to step out of it's confined boudaries as a classical instrument, and into the innovative, world of improvisation. Many of the songs show Joe's dedication to the players that have inspired him, and if you have followed the violins history in jazz/fusion your ears will be in for a treat, you will easily be fooled to expect the likes of Didier Lockwood, Stephane Grapelli, Jean-Luc Ponty, Jerry Goodman, Zbignew Seifert, Michael Urbaniak & Doug Cameron's names to be listed in the personnel credits of this cd, but the truth is that Deninzon has captured the essence of all of these unique voices in his playing. He also shows that his own voice is one to be recognized, and the strength of the compositions show this fact. Every song takes you into the many idioms of violin based fusion music, Shock Therapy & The Dark Frontier - Shows the heavy influence of Goodman era Mahavishnu Orchestra, as Joe uses a hard edged electric sound along with wahwah, and captures the classic M.O. sound perfectly. On An evening nap in the afternoon sun, he grasps the vibe of the classic Grappelli/Reinhardt combination, in a beautiful acoustical setting, Acid Rabbits - shows a definite exploration of Jean-Luc Ponty's excursions with the digital delay, I also hear some strong Didier Lockwood influences in this one. Bluzak & Well you needn't - yet more powerful tunes, sounds like vintage 70's electric fusion, ala Urbaniak, Seifert. As a fusion fan, and one that has followed the violin throughout it's history in progressive music, I am very high on this recording, Joe Deninzon is definetly the name to watch in this new era of fusion artists, his uncompromising talents, and dedication to the genre are well worth your attention, especially if you can appreciate any one of the many artists presented in this review, the power of the violin in progressive fusion is very profound, and should not be overlooked, hope Joe deninzon will continue to bring us great recordings like Electric/Blue.