Max Lässer's Ark - Different Kind of Blue (CD)

All Music Guide

Swiss guitarist Max Lasser is an alumnus of Andreas Vollenweider's band, and his music displays the same fluidity. He combines catchy melodies with powerful rhythms and rich arrangements, playing acoustic, electric and slide guitars plus mandolin, dobro and Chinese cheng. Lasser draws on folk, rock, jazz and world backgrounds while his band adds keyboards, bass, drums, woodwinds, marimba and vibes. Included is the aptly titled "Little China," awith delicate cheng and second guitarist Thomas Fessler, two tracks with Paul McCandless, five cuts with vibes/marimba ace Emmanuel Séjourné, and the closer, "Ry's Blues," a tribute to the great slide guitarist Ry Cooder.

- Backroads Music/Heartbeats, All Music Guide