How are your
detective skills? This is a rare CD, long Out of
Print, but worth tracking down if you can spare the
time and expense. I was fortunate enough to secure a
new copy of this, but currently on Amazon, payments
of around 95 dollars are required to land this
masterpiece of a CD.
Released in
1994 on the Global Pacific label, "Nocturnal
Afternoon" is Joseph A. Rojo's debut CD. Quite how
this man failed to find more fame is unclear,
because this is deserving of a wide audience and
much acclaim. The ten-track CD features all-original
compositions on piano, each of which, Rojo says in
the linear notes, "express the various emotions of
the heart." He goes on to say that his music also
reflects the ambience of living in the North-West of
America.
There are
various moods on this CD, but each track undoubtedly
falls under the New Age umbrella. It is a very easy
CD to listen to, and each track is melodic and
pleasing to the ear.
The CD's second
cut, "Summer Storm" starts off quietly, but
gradually increases in intensity as the storm takes
hold. It features energetic piano playing from Rojo,
who is equally at home with tranquil pieces as he is
adept with high-tempo numbers.
A definite
favourite is track 4, "Lost Reflection". The title
suggests a melancholy piece, and the listener gets
just that. I particularly like the way this track
develops, as the tempo gradually increases and
features sweeping movements on the piano. It as if
the composer is coming out of the darkness and into
the light.
"Search", the
album's fifth track, is a fairly gentle piece to
begin with. Like the previous piece, it develops
into a fairly energetic number with a lovely melody.
Track 6 is a
track that the listener will either love or hate.
With a title "The Chase", the reader will not be
surprised to learn this is a frantic but melodic
piece, that is guaranteed to have the listener's
toes and fingers tapping.
Another
up-tempo piece is "Methodical Haywire", the album's
seventh track. It follows the successful pattern of
a catchy melody which becomes more frantic as the
piece develops.
"e-minor
Overflow" is a gentler number, the title of which
will be significant to the musicians amongst the
readers of this review.
Track 9,
"Winter Breeze" opens with a gentle playing of notes
at the high end of the register. The repeating of
the melody with lower notes and louder dynamics
signifies the increasing intensity of the breeze.
This builds up into a quick-tempo part of the piece
in which I always visualise a mini tornado!
The CD's
closing track, "Nocturnal Afternoon" is very
laid-back and relaxing, and brings the CD to a
beautiful close.
I thoroughly
enjoyed listening to this CD, and it is sure to
become one of my favourites in my entire collection.
I highly recommend it if you can track it down.
S.C. |