Artist: Grant Ferguson
Album: Hexagon
Released: 2024
Website: https://www.grantfergusonmusic.com/
The latest and seventh release, Hexagon, from prolific guitarist and composer Grant Ferguson is a six song EP that takes the listener into the head of an exceptional musician. Grant's music is always a genre bending no man's land of composition. The most compelling aspect of his music is the fact that it is very difficult to pigeonhole it into one genre. He is definitely a rock guitarist, but his compositions are far bigger than rock. Thankfully he always seems to arrive at a soundscape that is unmistakably his own. He seems to be as influenced by Satriani as he is by David Gilmour and Yanni.
The album opens with the title track Hexagon, and the table is set for the sonic adventure that is coming down the tracks. A rock track that has elements of prog in it, but never stretching too far from what makes rock music feel right. There is something to be said about the simplicity of the drums staying on 2 and 4 while the melodies dance on top of it all. In the immortal words of drum great Steve Gadd... "If you don't have 2 and 4 you don't have shit". This track embraces that spirit wholeheartedly and uses the dynamics to create the tension and release, versus over thinking the simplicity of time tested basic rock approach.
Retrospective is the next track and more of the same approach. Having listened to quite a bit of Grant's music over the years I don't remember the keyboard being so hot in the mix, but it works wonderfully in the context of the tracks on this release. What has been consistent in his music is the composition and vibe take priority over the guitar acrobatics which he is quite capable of delivering, as made apparent on the gutsy and tasteful lead that takes the spotlight on the outro.
On most of Grant's more recent releases there are tracks that are 100% adult contemporary that are flirting with smooth jazz overtones. Bright Horizon is the one on this EP. Flirting is the key word there. It's not smooth jazz, but it has hints of it. It is this quality that makes Grant's music refreshingly different. He lives in the cracks that separate the genres from one another, pulling from all of it to deliver his unique guitar cocktail.
The final track, Postlude is a delightful piece of music reminding me of a cross between U2, Joe Satriani and Jeff Beck. That's some heavyweight company that Grant holds his own with. The fretless bass is a nice touch over the simple chord changes on the back end of the song. The simplicity of this one is another shining example of Grant's composing skills. The bed track is just a few chords that he builds a masterpiece from. For the record, the concise guitar lead has PERFECT tone which any recording guitarist knows is a huge challenge to achieve.
This 6 song EP Hexagon is the 7th chapter in the story of an exceptional musician. So much instrumental rock guitar music causes ear fatigue, even for guitarists. Not only does Grant avoid that, but most importantly the listener does not need to be a musician to enjoy this music. I highly recommend this album to any music lover. Give it an old school headphone listen and bask in the many layers that make up this extraordinary set of songs.
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