The music that makes up Dancing with Architects is primarily culled from my 1995 solo project of the same name. Three of the tracks are solo guitar pieces, while the remaining seven tracks of the original sessions (and one added extra) are a combination of my original guitar parts as recorded in that original week (most of which were first or second takes), and the later addition of new drum tracks, bass tracks and some guest guitar solos. Technology, eh?

In effect, all the guests are duetting with the me of twenty-four years ago. The resulting melange has been mixed by the awesome Keith More.

Work in progress

We have almost finished the drum tracks, and have quite a group of players to show off! They are (in order of appearance), Martin Johnson, Enrico ‘Mick’ Morena, Bryan McLellan, Neil Huxtable and Mike Sturgis. Bass players so far are Si Mulvey, Richard Finch-Turner, Mel Gabbitas and Stefan Redtenbacher, while guitarists currently confirmed include Martin Goulding, Terry Lewis, Jamie Hunt and Pat Heath, with several still waiting to have tracks confirmed, including Geoff Lea, Darren Hunt, John Grindey, Phil Hilborne, Irene Ketikidi, Bora Uslusoy, Andrej Grozdanov, Steve Forward and Chris Francis.

Track by track

Gladiators, Ready?

Gladiators, Ready? is the thunderous penultimate track on the album. I really wanted something big and heavy with just a few twists along the way. Looking back, I think it does a pretty good job. Jamie Hunt summed it up on hearing the new version:

“Heavy riffs, time signature twists, face melting leads, uplifting melodies. The entire Instrumental Shred Guitar movement is encapsulated within this merciless, sonic battle.”

Guest artists:
Bryan McClellan - drums
Mel Gabbitas - bass
Phil Hilborne - Guitar solos 2 & 4
Steve Forward - Guitar solo 3
Bora Uslusoy - Guitar solo 5

Tidal Apple Music Spotify

Praxis

The calm before the storm. One guitar. Nothing added, nothing taken away.

I, Sybarite

The first song to be re-recorded, mixed and mastered. Features Martin Johnson on drums with Martin Goulding adding a touch of über-modern shred in the form of the final guitar solo. We left my original bass parts because they were quite fun! The tune itself is a ‘homage’ to the whole neo-classical genre, combining a (harmonised) Bachish melody with some odd-time additives and a frenetic, almost punkesque feel with an (initially) almost laid-back guitar solo... definitely one to frighten the unwary.