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Vitja Pauwels, a guitarist from Belgium, has gained recognition for his experimental blend of electric and acoustic guitars and use of electronic effects in his music. His album Drift By/Sink In, released in 2022, showcases these talents. Pauwels recently had the opportunity to perform with his personal guitar idol, Marc Ribot, who is well-known for his collaborations with artists like Tom Waits and Robert Plant. Pauwels invited Ribot to play at a festival in Mechelen, and although there were no rehearsals aside from a soundcheck, the American musician agreed to the one-off show.
The outcome, captured in real time, is a spontaneous collaboration between the two musicians, accompanied by drums, bass, and a Hammond organ. Pauwels composed the pieces with Ribot in mind, resulting in a focus on funky elements, with a nod to Ribot’s Latin influences (as seen in his work as the Prosthetic Cubans) on the opening track, “Latin Dancer.” Throughout the album, Pauwels creates long melodic lines that are punctuated by Ribot’s signature distorted guitar playing. In other tracks like “Release” and “Return,” the Brussels-based bandleader explores moody and atmospheric sounds, causing Ribot to approach his playing with a different style. For this type of music, Ribot’s recent album with Ceramic Dog, “Hope,” is a more suitable listen. Overall, this album is an interesting curiosity, but perhaps a rehearsal would have resulted in a more cohesive and polished final product.
Source: theguardian.com
