You may remember artist Charles Moyer releasing music as G Clef Fusion earlier this year – we found his release QB1-OS to be “Accessible but technical; a stunning mix of thoughtful arrangements presented in a way that is supremely easy to consume for even the most casual listener“. Now Moyer is back again with another stellar, contemporary instrumental production. Album Difficult Times and Drastic Measures embraces all the out-of-the-box ideas we’ve come to love about the music of G Clef Fusion, with a focus on intense rhythmic idiosyncrasies.
Difficult Times and Drastic Measures is a short five song EP, but it packs a punch in every track. Featuring 9/4, 10/8, and 17/8 time signatures (among others nowhere near 3/4 or 4/4), this project sets the listener up for something far removed from a traditional listening experience. Attention must be paid at every measure to keep up with the rhythmic shifts and changes – a truly active listening experience. And it’s all tied together by Moyer’s recognizable brand of jazz-rock fusion, featuring an exceptionally wide array of instruments from strings and organ to synths and piano.
A standout moment on this EP comes at track Quantum String Theory. With a bit of a classical leaning in its composition, this track rolls and bounces its way through a warm and uptempo selection of melodic phrases. The genius, though, appears in the track’s production. It’s designed to be able to listened to in three different iterations – with both speakers, with just the left channel playing the strings, bass, and drums, or with just the right channel playing organ, bass and drums. Each situation creates almost an entirely new piece of music – a truly novel and well-executed concept.
G Clef Fusion continues to be an excellent example of originality and artistry. The aptly named Difficult Times and Drastic Measures is a true exercise in time signatures, as much so for the listener as the performer. For those looking to truly broaden their own musical horizons while sinking their teeth into complex, rock & jazz influenced tracks all the while, Difficult Times and Drastic Measures is more than worth the listen.
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BELOW: Listen to Difficult Times and Drastic Measures and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support G Clef Fusion by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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