Short Reviews [Kevin Kastning & Mark Wingfield - 2024 - "Rubicon II"]

Here we have the follow-up to "Rubicon I", recorded at the same time over two days in August 2018, featuring Kevin Kastning on piano and 15-string extended Classical guitar and Mark Wingfield on electric guitar and live electronics (software processing). The day prior to this Kevin and Mark performed live in New York City for WNYC radio, allowing themselves to get into the shared mindspace required when producing improvisational music which makes sense as opposed to being just a noise of disconnected parts. Given this is a second set of pieces taken from the same recording sessions as "Rubicon I" it is not surprising that this feels like an extension of that release as opposed to a brand-new recording. As with that album, I find myself being drawn to the importance of delicate piano throughout, which provides the foundation for Mark to take the music in quite different directions, with a beauty on one hand being put against discord on the other. With just two musicians, no overdubs or percussion, there is a great deal of space within the overall sound which is an integral part of the music. It is this space which allows the dynamics to flow and for the harshness and delicacy to be heard and understood in equal measure. The distortion and short strike of the electric guitar is often placed against the sustain and delicacy of the piano, and it is the contrast of the two which makes them both stand out in their own right. It is the conflation of the two sounds that compels the listener to continue on the journey, wondering where they will be taken by two masters of their craft, when even the guides have no idea of the final destination or the route they are going to follow on their travels. If you enjoyed "Rubicon I" then you will be pleased to have this finally available as this was always planned as a two-set release, and if you have yet to come across Kevin and his wonderful collaborations then this is the place to start.