Marcelo Alfradique

This is my new 2025 pedalboard! 🎸

11 months ago | [YT] | 2

Marcelo Alfradique

What kind of music do you prefer to watch on this YouTube channel?

11 months ago | [YT] | 1

Marcelo Alfradique

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2 years ago | [YT] | 0

Marcelo Alfradique

Classic Albums: #10 Scott Henderson - Tore Down House

Scott Henderson is an American guitarist considered unanimity when it comes to jazz fusion improvisation. Endowed with a supernatural phrasing, Scott walks without the slightest embarrassment in the lands of blues, rock and jazz. In addition to a successful solo career, he has played with Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Jean-Luc Ponty and was a co-founder of the excellent jazz fusion bands: Tribal Tech and Vital Tech Tones.

In Tore Down House, Scott Henderson lets his blues vein emerge, making clear the influences of guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Albert King and Jimmy Page. For this endeavor, he assembles a respected band formed by the excellent vocalist Thelma Houston, Scott Kinsey (keyboards), Dave Carpenter (bass), Kirk Covington (drums) and a series of other guests.

The album opens with the sensational instrumental “Dolomite”, a brilliant mix of blues, jazz and funk filled with beautiful guitar and keyboard improvisations. Then, the song that names the record “Tore Down house” a lesson in blues harmonization combined with a killer solo. Also noteworthy are the songs “Guitar School” with a stunning harmonica played by Pat O’Brien and the blues rock reinterpretation of “Same as you” from the also essential previous album Dog Party.

On this album, Scott Henderson has masterfully achieved the true fusion of blues feeling with the harmonic complexity of jazz. Just listen!

2 years ago | [YT] | 5

Marcelo Alfradique

Classic Albums: #9 Niacin - High Bias

Niacin is a power trio formed by the spectacular Dennis Chambers (drums), Billy Sheehan (bass) and John Novello (keyboards). True ambassadors on their instruments, all members of Niacin know exactly how to place themselves to produce music of the highest level.

High Bias (1998) is Niacin's second album and confirms the impressive musical “chemistry” of this power trio. Explosive! It's the first word that comes to mind when listening to the first track and title of this fabulous album. Next up is a tribute to '70s fusion supergroup Wheater Report with their fantastic version of “Birdland”. Fans of Hammond B-3 or Fender Rhodes piano will be amazed by John Novello's musicianship, which is the balance point for Niacin's ferocious rhythm section.

High Bias features special guest appearances by musicians of the highest caliber such as pianist Chick Corea on the electric “Hang Me Upside Down” and the percussion of Alex Acuña on the Latin “Montuno”. Other tracks are also worth mentioning, such as the furious groove of “Slapped Silly” and the ballad “It's The Little Things.

Contagious grooves, complex harmonies and exquisite rhythm section are elements present in the 11 tracks of this totally required High Bias. For lovers of borderless jazz fusion improvisation. Listen!

2 years ago | [YT] | 6

Marcelo Alfradique

Classic Albums: #8 Jeff Beck – Performing This Week... Live At Ronnie Scott's

Jeff Beck is considered one of the most complete guitarists in the history of music. With total mastery over the instrument, Jeff goes through several musical genres with naturalness. On this record, recorded live in London at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in 2007, Jeff Beck masterfully interprets the greatest hits of his consecrated career and some covers with sensational interpretations. The support band is nothing less than a supergroup formed by Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Jason Rebello (keyboards) and Tal Wilkenfeld (bass), providing the necessary support for all the Jeff's musical creativity.

The CD begins with the classic “Beck’s Bolero” from the beginning of his career. Then, the atmosphere alternates between “tense” moments, as in the stunning “Led Boots” and “Scaterbrain”, with quieter moments as in the beautiful “Cause We've Ended as Lovers” (Stevie Wonder) and “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” (Charles Mingus). Jeff Beck has a unique way of playing the instrument, mixing various techniques in the service of good music.

Another highlight of this CD is the fantastic interpretation of a Beatles classic: “A Day in the Life”, where Jeff literally makes the guitar sing the melody. This song earned Jeff Beck the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Anyway, it is a fabulous record showing all the genius of this living guitar legend. Listen!

2 years ago | [YT] | 5

Marcelo Alfradique

Classic Albums: #7 Rory Gallager - Irish Tour '74

Irish super guitarist, singer and songwriter Rory Gallagher is a blues rock guitar legend. Owner of a vigorous and visceral technique on the six strings, Rory Gallagher abused the long jam sessions in his presentations. Wielding a battered Fender Stratocaster usually plugged into a Vox-AC 30 amplifier, Rory Gallagher obtained, from his fingers, all the nuances and dynamics demonstrated in anthological solos.

The Irish Tour '74 album captured the guitarist's performances in his homeland at the height of his career. On this record, Rory Gallagher is accompanied by an excellent band formed by musicians Gerry McAvoy (bass), Lou Martin (keyboards) and Rod De’Ath (drums). The true blues feeling is exalted by the guitarist's total delivery in all the songs on this record.

The apotheotic presentation begins with “Cradle Rock” a classic rock from the 70's with a remarkable guitar riff. Then “I Wonder Who” features slow blues with a breathtaking solo. Highlight for “Tattoo’d Lady”, one of his best known songs, filled with sensational guitar improvisations.

The acoustic set of the presentations is represented by the brilliant “As the Crow Flies”, demonstrating all Rory Gallagher's mastery of the slide guitar. The blues rock classic “A Million Miles Away” followed by “Walk on Hot Coals” presents a boatload of wild solos, surprising listeners with creativity, instrument control and maturity in the choice of notes.

Embark on this Irish Tour '74 and let the phenomenal Rory Gallagher take you into the fantastical world of blues rock. Listen!

2 years ago | [YT] | 6

Marcelo Alfradique

Classic Albums: #6 Mike Stern - Is What It Is

Mike Stern is one of the best jazz guitarists of all time. His fluency on the instrument and incredible improvisational skills have already been recognized by Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Brecker Brothers, Steps Ahead, just to name a few. He is one of the few who manage to unite the power of rock with the sophistication of jazz in breathtaking improvisations.

In this album, Is What It Is (1994), Stern invites a team of stars to construe his compositions: Jim Beard (keyboards), Dennis Chambers (drums), Ben Perowsky (drums), Will Lee (bass) and saxophonists Michael Brecker and Bob Malach. Already in the first track, the excellent “Swunk”, Stern already gives the jazz fusion tone that permeates throughout the record. The brilliant ballads “A little Luck” and “What I meant to say” call attention for their melodic sense and lyricism in the choice of notes during the solos. Then, the atmosphere heats up again with the super jazz funk “Showbiz”.

Other incredible points of this album are found in the compositions “Ha Ha Hotel” (melodically complex) and “Signs” (harmonically fantastic). The swing jazz of “55 dive” closes the CD, showing all of Stern's sensibility as a composer.

This album is a must for anyone who enjoys modern jazz with hints of rock, funk and blues. For those who like to play the guitar, we have a class of rock licks with bebop phrases, all of it tastefully packaged.

2 years ago | [YT] | 5

Marcelo Alfradique

Classic Albums: #5 Robben Ford and the Blue Line - Handful of Blues

Robben Ford is one of the guitar icons globally. His style, based on the blues, has as its main reference his elegant and sophisticated phrasing. In addition to a successful solo career, Robben Ford has played with Miles Davis, Yellowjackets, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joni Mitchell, Larry Carlton, among others.

Handful of Blues is an extraordinary blues rock album, where Robben Ford shows his entire arsenal of phrases in anthological solos. Accompanied by the excellent backing band, The Blue Line, formed by the competent Roscoe Beck (bass) and Tom Brechtlein (drums), Robben Ford even invites his brother Mark Ford (harmonica) and his friend Russell Ferrante (piano) to play on some tracks.

The record begins with the bombastic Rugged Road, a fast blues rock where Robben Ford dialogues with his guitar in a fantastic way in each verse. Although his voice is more high-pitched and ripped than the classic voices of American bluesman's, its convincingly posted and brings his own sound to the songs.

In addition to his own compositions, such as the excellent ones: The Miller's Son, Top of the Hill, Tired of Talkin' and Strong Will to live, Robben Ford brilliantly rearranges blues standards such as: Chevrolet (Ed Young / Lonnie Young), Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (Bennie Benjamin / Gloria Caldwell / Sol Marcus) and I Just Want to Make Love to You (Willie Dixon). Also noteworthy is the funky Think Twice (Roscoe Beck) with a devastating guitar solo.

Robben Ford shows in Handful of Blues all his passion for style in inspired songs and solos performed with true blues soul. Listen!

2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 5

Marcelo Alfradique

Classic Albums: #4 Chick Corea's Elektric Band – The Elektric Band

Chick Corea (1941-2021) is one of the greatest references of modern piano. Brilliant composer, almost 60 years of career with an impressive artistic production, 27 times Grammy Award winner, pioneer of jazz fusion playing with Miles Davis and Return to Forever, in short, a true legend of the piano.

With his Elektric Band, Chick Corea once again surprises by putting the 80's atmosphere into irreproachable compositions. Released in 1986, the debut album became a classic of the style and the band one of the best in jazz fusion of that decade. Chick Corea’s Elektric Band was formed by the spectacular: Dave Weckl (drums), John Patitucci (bass), Scott Henderson (guitar) and Carlos Rios (guitar).

The album opens with an intro called “city gate” setting the stage for the spectacular theme called “Rumble” with a drum show performed by Dave Weckl. Next, Chick Corea abuses synthesizers and programming in “Side Walk”, but nothing that takes away the magnificence of the composition.

Other highlights of the record are the complex and genius “Got a Match”, with sensational keyboard and bass solos, the fantastic “King Cockroach” with an excellent guitar solo by Scott Henderson and the harmonic subtlety of “Silver Termple”.

Chick Corea manages, with his Elektric Band, to write very complex compositions that are at the same time accessible to our ears, representing a lesson in musicality and good taste. Listen!

2 years ago | [YT] | 5