Preston Redd - album review

JAZZ

(Outer Bridge Records)

Guitarist Preston Reed continues to elude precise genre classification in his his distinctive style of solo guitar music, but this ballad-oriented set is the closest he has come to a straight jazz outing. In his insert note he argues that this is his most spontaneous and improvised recording project, but the music comes across as carefully considered as well as fresh.
He takes a relaxed and very melodic approach to a set of original compositions (and a short version of ‘All The Things You Are’), performed on a classic jazz-style hollow-body electric guitar. His beautifully articulated melodic explorations are beguiling, and the recorded sound is crystal clear. Established fans may miss a bit of up-tempo variation, but the laid-back mood makes for a nicely integrated set.