World-renowned guitar virtuoso and cosmic powerhouse JOE SATRIANI has announced a new album, titled “The Elephants of Mars” due out April on 8th April via earMusic.
This will be the nineteenth studio album from the New York-born guitar guru, who’s been on a remarkable 35-plus-year journey in music that began under the tutelage of jazz guitarist Billy Bauer and jazz improviser Lennie Tristano in his hometown, then led him to Berkeley, California, where he became a renowned guitar teacher to a host of students including (among others) names like Kirk Hammett of Metallica, David Bryson of Counting Crows, Alex Skolnick of Testament.
undeniably existentialist and yet completely graspable…
Raw Ramp Music Magazine
His debut studio album “Not of This Earth” (1986) was easy going and accessible despite the fact that it was populated by shifting modes, dark-toned harmonics and Joe employed unusual musical scales. The musician has always been adept at motivating a listener to stretch expectations and paradigms, while also providing less demanding music fans with something that is enriching & rewarding, without becoming formidable.
The new single, “Sahara” from the 2022 album is a perfect example. With drums by Kenny Aronoff, bass by Bryan Beller, and keys/cümbüs/oud by Eric Caudieux, guitar Joe addresses the sense of isolation that we (probably all of us) must have felt last year in a decaying urban landscape. A storm of fireflies begins the exploration, then, with twisted oriental accents, a cartilaginous bass and puckered guitar shapes, pattering percussion brings heavenly bounces of crackle and fizz.
If you’ve ever searched for something to replace Mike Oldfield (in his Crisis era) or the bold salsa/rock/jazz excursions found in early (Caravanserai) Santana, this is the place to be. It is undeniably existentialist and yet completely graspable.
As Joe explained, “We did everything. We tried the craziest ideas. And we entertained every notion we had about turning something backwards, upside down, seeing what could happen.”
This breathtaking album also marks the debut of Joe’s new recording partnership with entertainment group Edel’s international rock label earMUSIC.
Pre-order the new album here: https://joe-satriani.lnk.to/TheElephantsOfMars
Main photo: Eduardo Peña Dolhun