Jazz guitar is a funny thing. The main thing that separates it from rock seems to be the tone, which is generally clean and free of reverb or distortion. Javier Subatin is having none of it.

Javier Subatin Pulsar (ears&eyes)

His tone is often clean, but he dives straight into the pool of ideas. Each of these pieces is its own brief thought (the longest song here is 3:28), and Subatin isn’t afraid to put an edge on his sound. He has a wonderful touch, and that imbues these near-experimental works with a form of guard rails. There always seems to be a further destination implied at the end of each song.

“Leave ‘em wanting more” is a great slogan, though most musicians tend to follow a kitchen sink approach instead. Subatin’s discipline is almost as impressive as the range of ideas expressed in these 12 pieces. He’s the only player here, and it is amazing how much he can express all by himself.

One of the more unusual albums I’ve come across this year. Subatin has ideas to burn, and this album seems to have only scratched the surface. Utterly entrancing.

Jon Worley