2023 sees Chuck Moyer return with a full-length G Clef Fusion album, and it is every bit as funky, energetic, and progressive as his prior releases. Last year, G Clef Fusion released a staggering amount of music – six EPs and one full-length record. Recondite Obbligato, his latest release, shows Moyer has no plans to slow down, and as per usual, Moyer performs all the parts single-handedly (with one exception). There is a stronger, rock flavor to this collection of songs, which reflects the theme of protest that Moyer lists as the inspiration behind the album. Recondite Obbligato is a critique of the music industry model, and how it serves to undermine the people who are its very backbone – the artists.
Playing Knights and Weak Ends is a delightful, up-tempo piece that places a breakneck, funk beat against carefully constructed layers of synth, piano, and organ. The piano provides the main melody while a soft, synth counters it in a call-and-response fashion. You can hear the whir of a Leslie speaker cabinet in the organ part, which establishes the underlying chord sequence via quick, rhythmic stabs.
To Chew One’s Cabbage Twice packs some serious punch with its dark, bluesy overtones. It sees Moyer enlist the help of guitarist, dawdi, and the two trade lines (Moyer on organ) in a truly wonderful display of technical ability.
There is an ominous, sinister quality to Prefer a Slap to Preterition. A rumbling, slap-bass (Moyer has a good sense of humor) part opens up the song before slotting in with a complex, syncopated drum groove. Moyer again shows off his keyboard skills during the playful synth solo that features in the second half of the song.
Sciamachy is a real journey from start to finish, beginning as a mellow orchestral arrangement before a funky bassline and arpeggiated synth part displace this mood and Moyer experiments with some discordant harmony.
Moyer’s skills as a keyboardist and arranger are constantly on show throughout these fifteen tracks. His willingness to take harmonic risks makes him such a fine purveyor of the fusion genre, but he knows just the right time to lean on a catchy motif and develop the melodic theme. If you like music that pushes the envelope, then G Clef Fusion and his latest album Recondite Obbligato are definitely for you.
—-
BELOW: Listen to Recondite Obbligato 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!
(Want to have your music reviewed on The Ark of Music? Click HERE.)
Follow, stream, download & connect with G CLEF FUSION online:
