G Clef Fusion – QB1-OS

HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…

QB1-OS is most definitely a fusion record, but jazz elements appear at the helm on a regular basis. On the introductory track Cicerone For A Sonder, they especially present. Incorporating a classic close jazz melody and plenty of organ performance to move things along, this track has a bouncy, light cadence that is easy to digest while still incorporating more involved components like an unusual time signature and unresolved passages.

On Shoulders of Giants gives us a look into the rock-based components of this fusion record. Moyer has impressive performance skills on the keys, and this number shows them off well, with plenty of technical riffs and runs making their way into the instrumentation, and intentionally so. Moyer says of the track, “As I was composing this, I tried to channel all those songs and styles from progressive, fusion, rock I grew up listening to, I hope I did them at least a little justice.” The influence from those that came before him is not just presented here – it’s an exemplary showing of it.

A particularly prominent thread throughout Moyer’s work is his use of extremely significant song titles. There are many brilliant examples of this across the album, but Nudiustertian Hiraeth is a stand-out in this regard. The title phrase loosely translates to “a strong longing for two days ago“, and Moyer has used that unusual concept to inspire the track. The soundscape that follows is a collection of movements that range from melancholy to uncertain to fervent, capturing the sentiment of this unusual feeling in an enthralling way.

We also love Telos for its bold and regal use of brass, and Kismet Funk for its perfectly tasty jazz-funk fusion riffs (don’t miss the bassline on this one – it’s as fun as it is intricate).

OUR FAVORITE TRACK…

Nearly at the album’s conclusion, we find B-Edsel Bulb, one of Moyer’s cleverest concepts and brightest executions. Nearly named B-3desl Bulb in reference to the organ that dominates this track, Moyer leans heavily into the rock side of this production (because the track is named after Beelzebub and rock is “the devil’s music”. Layers upon layers here). With that in mind, Moyer paints a dissonant, energetic, distorted picture of modern prog-rock that maintains a particularly memorable melody despite its inherent complexities. It’s a wholly immersive piece of music.

IN CONCLUSION…

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. As G Clef Fusion, Chuck Moyer is creating introspective music that succeeds at existing far outside preconceived genre expectations for any and all of the styles he chooses to incorporate. QB1-OS is not for those looking for something predictable or simply repurposed for new consumption. The music on this album is entirely original, deeply contemplative, and impressively imaginative – in short, this album is an example of artistry in its truest form.

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