Guitarist Neal Schon has announced the
release of Vortex on June 23. The 2-CD
all-instrumental album utilizes rock as its foundation, while also embracing
elements of jazz, classical and world music in an 18-track stunning, sonically
explosive collection of original compositions.
The release is dedicated to Schon's best friend and wife, who serves as
his true inspiration every day (Both "Lady M" and "Triumph of Love"
were written for her, the latter of which he performed at their wedding on
December 15, 2013). Schon shares,
"This is an evolutionary album for me.
I've always aspired to be a better player and push musical boundaries.
And sure, I've sold 80-million records with Journey, and I'm proud of that, but
this album is really me — all based on my guitar, which is my 'voice.' It's
bold. There's love, and there's definitely fire and an element of danger. And
the energy level is off the hook."
That's
evident from the first, mysterious-sounding measures of "Miles
Beyond," the scalding tribute to jazz genius Miles Davis' pioneering
fusion recordings that opens the album. The tune blends Schon's soaring leads,
tectonic plates of grinding rhythm and brilliantly layered melodies within an
arrangement that embraces Middle Eastern flourishes plus flashes of African
drumming by Steve Smith. "Schon & Hammer Now" is a furious jam
between the guitarist and his longtime friend and creative foil, Grammy-winning
keyboardist Jan Hammer, whose many accomplishments include charter membership
in the groundbreaking Mahavishnu Orchestra.
And the two match their brilliant technique and relentless invention
throughout, sparring with the grace and speed of a young Mohammad Ali. Schon reveals, "Jan is all over this
album. I wrote the material to give Jan room to stretch. There are not many three-minute ditties. It's
all huge, epic, bombastic…futuristic."
After hearing the completed album for the first time, Hammer made a
succinct observation, "This is f****** amazing."
"Airliner
NS910" is further proof. It's all speed and swagger, with Schon skywriting
the song's sweetly singing theme in the indelible vapor trail of the instantly
recognizable operatic tones of his signature model Paul Reed Smith guitars. He
reflects, "Since Vortex is a two-record set, it's both my ninth and tenth
solo albums. That's where the 'NS910'
comes from."
The music
of Vortex originated in the hard drives that Schon is constantly filling with ideas
for riffs, melodies and chord progressions at home. But they came to life at
Berkeley's Fantasy Studios, his preferred spot for recording since Journey cut
the 10-times-platinum number-one album Escape there in 1981. Schon states,
"It's my home away from home. I
spend so much time there that they've given me my own locker."
Schon
produced and played bass on Vortex, too, and was joined in the studio by Smith
and keyboardist Igor Len. Hammer and Len also appeared on Schon's seventh solo
album, The Calling, which was followed by the blues-inspired hard rock album So
U. He offers, "Igor and Jan
complement each other, and me, beautifully." And Vortex's "Eternal Love" is a
testament to Len's creativity. The song, a richly emotional ballad, features
Len alone on piano. The guitarist observes, "He sat down and played the
tune spontaneously, and it was so gorgeous and deep that I had to have it on my
album." Schon offers his own reflective solo performance on Vortex with
the sparsely arranged acoustic guitar meditation "Mom," dedicated to
his mother, Barbara Schon. He reveals, "Like most of the performances on
this album, it wasn't premeditated. I'd
just pick up a guitar and tell my engineer Jesse Nichols to hit ProTools."
The
intensely creative guitar giant has always had a seemingly innate ability to
make glorious music. He began playing at age five and was inspired by soul
vocalists like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, and blues and jazz guitarists
ranging from B.B. King, Albert King and Eric Clapton to Wes Montgomery. When
Schon was just 15 years old, Carlos Santana invited him to join his band.
Schon's recording debut was on the classic 1971 album Santana III. He played
the solo on the LP's hit single "Everybody's Everything." Recently Schon
has been working with Carlos Santana on a new album, co-writing songs and
playing key performances including homecoming Santana concerts in Guadalajara
and Mexico City that included Journey as the opening band.
Schon
formed Journey in 1973 and has led the band through its astonishing 42-year
history. Along the way Journey has sold well over 80 million albums, amongst
which the band's Greatest Hits release was certified Diamond by the RIAA for
sales in excess of 10 million copies. To
date sales now exceed 15 million copies.
Eight other Journey album releases have been certified
multi-platinum. Neal Schon co-wrote the
timeless hit "Don't Stop Believin,'" which now holds the title as the
most digitally downloaded song in history.
Seventeen additional Journey singles were Top 40 hits. Schon has received multiple Grammy award
nominations for both his work with Journey and his solo recordings, and Journey
has been nominated for the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
Besides
solo albums and tours and his historic work with Journey, Schon has an
extensive history of blue-ribbon collaborations. These include co-founding the
supergroup Bad English and forming bands with vocalists Paul Rodgers and Sammy
Hagar. He released two collaboration albums with Jan Hammer, Untold Passion and
Here To Stay, while also performing on releases from Michael Bolton, Return to
Forever's Lenny White and many others.
One thing
he's never done is considered resting on his laurels. Schon reflects, "I
feel more aware and alive now than I've ever been. Part of that is the sobriety I've had for the
last seven years. I've also evolved as a person and a player though
understanding the value of being in the moment – letting things happen and not
thinking too much. There's an old blues saying: 'If you're thinkin', you're
stinkin'. When you stop thinking and
just play from the heart, you discover your own voice. That's the real thing,
and that's what Vortex is about for me."
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