With his latest release Exits, Canadian guitarist and composer Strat Andriotis delivers another fearless exploration of sound, texture, and genre-blending composition. Known for his signature “sweet and sour” approach to writing, Andriotis crafts eight dynamic pieces that bridge the melodic elegance of classical music, the raw edge of rock, and the improvisational heart of jazz.
A native of Greece who grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, Andriotis brings a global and deeply personal sensibility to his music. His early influences—ranging from Cream and Jimi Hendrix to Miles Davis’ In a Silent Way—helped shape his multi-genre curiosity. That curiosity has matured into a refined yet adventurous compositional voice that shines brightly on Exits.
The album features two alternating rhythm sections, each bringing a different energy to the project. Tom Altobelli (bass) and Vincent Walters (drums) provide the pulse on tracks 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8, offering a tight and responsive groove. Meanwhile, Joel Banks (bass) and Alex Karcza (drums) infuse tracks 2, 5, and 6 with their own bold interpretations, ensuring the album never grows static or predictable.
Andriotis’ Fender Stratocaster sings with clarity, complexity, and warmth throughout. Whether gliding through lyrical melodies or launching into angular, progressive solos, his touch is masterful and distinct. These compositions aren’t just vehicles for improvisation—they’re structured narratives with emotional arcs, drawing listeners into a cinematic sound world.
Over the years, Andriotis has collaborated with a wide array of artists, from Blue Öyster Cult’s Albert Bouchard to jazz greats like Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Jerry Goodman. Exits represents both a continuation and a refinement of that creative legacy—an album that feels at once expansive and deeply personal.
From the first note to the last, Exits is a genre-defying statement by an artist who refuses to be boxed in. With this album, Strat Andriotis once again proves himself a boundary-pushing guitarist and composer with a vision uniquely his own.
No comments:
Post a Comment