Along with bassist Jesse Williams and drummer Zac Casher, on Trance Groove Julien Kasper has fashioned an exhilarating album combining funky grooves, catchy melodies, psychedelic soundscapes, soulful blues, epic rock guitar and even a stunning acoustic ballad – all on one album. The CD also features a guest appearance on Hammond B3 organ by T Lavitz (Dixie Dregs, Widespread Panic, Jazz is Dead).

Trance Groove is the third CD from Boston-based Julien Kasper, who is also a professor at the legendary Berklee College of Music, and it reflects his intense melding of a number of diverse elements into a whole that becomes his own unique sound. "Soul, groove, melody, tone and the element of surprise are my priorities as a composer and an improviser… as a guitarist I am coming equally from the schools of rock, jazz and blues," he told Guitar World in a feature published in 2007.

Kasper's previous two albums, Flipping Time (2003) and The New Imperial (2006) announced the arrival to the music world of a major new guitar artist; and on his latest release Kasper ups the ante even further with his improvisational playing, soaring into the many worlds and sounds he creates with the guitar.

Born in France to American parents, he spent his youth as an Army child moving around the American south and got his first major guitar gig while living in Tallahassee. After a four-year stint in Austin, he enrolled in the University of Miami and later graduated from the jazz program at the school. He put himself through college playing with local Miami legends IKO IKO, the house band at Tobacco Road, Miami's legendary roots music venue.
Kasper became first known to most international music fans through his work with acclaimed keyboardist Bruce Katz, with whom he recorded two CDs (Mississippi Moan and Three Feet off the Ground) and toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe. He also recorded two CDs with Mighty Sam McClain (Journey and Soul Survivor).

Since launching his solo career, Julien has received universal kudos for his guitar playing. "While it's hard to categorize what Kasper does, he's certainly one of the most imaginative composers and players working with the guitar today," wrote Vintage Guitar in a review. And Guitarist magazine summed up its rave review by stating: "Kasper's playing is authoritative and adventurous. With forays into jazz phrasing and high-octave blues, his melodic attack combines equal parts Jeff Beck and Hendrix channeled through monumental tone."

Share this article on Twitter

Preview and Purchase Julien Kasper CDs

Julien Kasper Tour Dates/Tickets

Julien Kasper MP3 Downloads

Was it Good for you? Please Fark it!, Stumble It, Digg it or more!

Fark Stumble Upon Digg Facebook

...end