Short Reviews [Greco Bastian - 2024 - "W. A. L. H. F. More F."]

Greco Bastian is somewhat unusual in that while he is a composer he does not actually play any instruments and instead relies on others to complete his vision. In 2022 he released his fifth album, "With A Little Hell From My Friends", and now he has released his sixth in a similar vein, called ‘With A Little Hell From More Friends". This is quite a list, but is definitely worth including to show just who enjoys his vision: Matt Hollenberg (John Zorn, Titan To Tachyons), Markus Reuter (Stick Men, The Crimson Projekct), Patrick Gauthier (Magma, Weidorje), Marc Ducret (Tim Berne, Bobby Previte), Bernard Falaise (Miriodor, Ensemble Supermusique), Alan Benjamin (Advent, Pekka Pohjola), Paolo Botta (Yugen, Ske, French TV), Remi Leclerc (Miriodor, Les Projectionnistes), Vincent Sicot-Vantalon (Unit Wail, Scherzoo), Anthony Beard (Ni, Piniol, Scherzoo), The Mercury Tree (Ben Spees, Oliver Campbell, Connor Reilly), Sterbus, Craig Walkner (Far Corner, William Kopecky), Ed Rosenberg III (Jerseyband, Kilter), Juan Belda (Juan Belda Bit Band, Skalectric), Steve Marek (Monobody, Loose Lips Sink Ships), Hakan Almkvist (Ensemble Nimbus, Hans Bruniusson), Jonathan Pina-Duluc Proyecto Pina-Duluc, El Trio), Samo Salamon (Quartet, Quintet), Ivan Rozmainsky (Roz Vitalis, Compassionizer), Salvador Govea (Salvador Govea), and The Villagers of the Legendary Town of San Jamas de los Jamases. I mean, anyone would be pleased to get Markus Reuter involved, or anyone from French TV, or Ivan, or Alan, or Craig, or Anthony, or Jonathan (all of whom I have reviewed, multiple times) let alone all the above. Also, bear in mind that this is truly a worldwide project with the Mexican bringing together people from America, Europe, South America and Russia. Why Greco is unsigned is just beyond me as here we have a RIO/eclectic/experimental album which is off the wall and probably off the map. Anyone who enjoys this style of music will already know the names of many of those involved, and it is no surprise that we get an album which sounds as if it has been released by Cuneiform or Dur & Doux with influences from Present, King Crimson, Ni, Magma, Frank Zappa and more. It is experimental, it is fascinating, yet while there are different musicians and line-ups on every track there is also a consistency throughout which makes this very special indeed. I do find it strange Greco has yet to be signed to a forward-thinking label as this is a work of some import which anyone with adventurous musical tastes will get a great deal from. I note that on his Bandcamp site he is offering his complete digital discography for just $18 USD. A bargain not to be missed.