MARCEL YAMMOUNI "ECELCTICITY"
I met Marcel, 3 years back at a gig and I knew Straightaway, from just hearing him play in soundcheck, that this guy was gonna make an impact on the guitar community.
Eclecticity is just one of those albums that'll will appeal to every music lover.
As soon as I heard it I listened to it 5 times in the first day.
Awesome melodies fantastic guitar playing and not to mention his bass playing and production skills..
Not only is he a great friend but an inspiration and a genuine bloke.
You'll hear all those qualities when you hear his music." Michael Dolce
MARCEL YAMMOUNI
"Marcel Yammouni is a professional composer, multi instrumentalist, producer and engineer living in the city of Melbourne Australia. Marcel is currently the bass player in Electric Empire featuring Dennis Dowlut, Aaron Mendoza, and Jason Heerah. He has worked with the likes of Vanessa Amorosi (toured with her worldwide for seven years), Anthony Callea (Celine Dion tour), Russell Morris, Mark Seymour (Hunters and collectors), Brian Canham (Psuedo Echo), Andrew De Silva(CDB), Gary Pinto (CDB)and Dale Ryder (Boom Crash Opera) to name a few. Having had the pleasure of recording many artists over the years it was starting to become a classic case of “the chef always eats last” for Marcel and that’s when he began production on his debut album “Eclecticity” mid 2008. Now 2010 it’s finally here and it is Marcel’s finest work to date.
On July 6th Marcel will launch “Eclecticity” with a show at Spensers Live with his band Featuring Johnny Salerno (Vanessa Amorosi, John Stevens, Richard Clapton), Luke Hodgson (Josh Owen, Toni Childs) Aaron Mendoza (Electric Empire) and Ben Edgar (Missy Higgins)"
(Quote from Laurie Monk Truthinshredding.com)
ECLETICITY BY MARCEL YAMMOUNI
SK had been recommended a new CD to review by Michael Dolce . The Cd was called ECLECTICTY by Australian guitarist Marcel Yammouni, I had not heard the album or the artist so I was quite exited. I'de put the Cd in the player and ready with my own kinda oddball way of descriptive writing head on , this album had been waiting a day to be heard and I love listening to new music first thing in the morning, so here we go.
TRACK 1 MONKEY FINGERS This first track is a nice Funky little number, its got great instrumentation and much like in a jazz track set we hear a little showcase of eack instrument and drums.
All rocked and the bass solo really rocks, then the keys show off a little, before they all engage in the funk again. As I was listening to this forst track I wanted to find who did the awesome bass and its none other than the man Marcel himself, awesome.
As the song takes another turn into groove-ville I'm trying to give you a who it sounds like but I can't yet its like Marcel Yammouni.
The guitar is so well mixed into the tracks your hearing the "whole song", this is consistent throughout the album .
TRACK 2 U DO DONT YA? Loving this track at the outset, the soloing, the tones, the modal games, the bouncing grooves, the feel , the buildup the soloing, the feel, thats a good list and the tracks not finished. One thing that really stands out is the consistency in instrumentation texture and tone, the track could easily have continued from the first , this is the same throughout the whole album.
This track has magic But I guess having Brett Garsed on it probably helped a bit.
TRACK 3 HEART TROUBLE Hello ebow , havent heard one of those on a track inna while , awesome and what a sweet melody much like you'd hear on a classical guitar. But not a nylon guitar in earshot unless its under the very unusual and tonefull electric guitar.
This is ballad and this Floyd-esq string layered ballad and lead guitar has a string or violin quality probably due to Marcells many nuances and swells.
These nuances are the little things that make a big difference between a guitarists and a musician and everything including drums were so very well programmed and the tastefully chosen sounds didn't try to be real sounding and thus sound badly unreal and I think a little of Gilmore came through this tracks wonderful guitar lines.
Eclecticity is just one of those albums that'll will appeal to every music lover.
As soon as I heard it I listened to it 5 times in the first day.
Awesome melodies fantastic guitar playing and not to mention his bass playing and production skills..
Not only is he a great friend but an inspiration and a genuine bloke.
You'll hear all those qualities when you hear his music." Michael Dolce
MARCEL YAMMOUNI
"Marcel Yammouni is a professional composer, multi instrumentalist, producer and engineer living in the city of Melbourne Australia. Marcel is currently the bass player in Electric Empire featuring Dennis Dowlut, Aaron Mendoza, and Jason Heerah. He has worked with the likes of Vanessa Amorosi (toured with her worldwide for seven years), Anthony Callea (Celine Dion tour), Russell Morris, Mark Seymour (Hunters and collectors), Brian Canham (Psuedo Echo), Andrew De Silva(CDB), Gary Pinto (CDB)and Dale Ryder (Boom Crash Opera) to name a few. Having had the pleasure of recording many artists over the years it was starting to become a classic case of “the chef always eats last” for Marcel and that’s when he began production on his debut album “Eclecticity” mid 2008. Now 2010 it’s finally here and it is Marcel’s finest work to date.
On July 6th Marcel will launch “Eclecticity” with a show at Spensers Live with his band Featuring Johnny Salerno (Vanessa Amorosi, John Stevens, Richard Clapton), Luke Hodgson (Josh Owen, Toni Childs) Aaron Mendoza (Electric Empire) and Ben Edgar (Missy Higgins)"
(Quote from Laurie Monk Truthinshredding.com)
ECLETICITY BY MARCEL YAMMOUNI
SK had been recommended a new CD to review by Michael Dolce . The Cd was called ECLECTICTY by Australian guitarist Marcel Yammouni, I had not heard the album or the artist so I was quite exited. I'de put the Cd in the player and ready with my own kinda oddball way of descriptive writing head on , this album had been waiting a day to be heard and I love listening to new music first thing in the morning, so here we go.
TRACK 1 MONKEY FINGERS This first track is a nice Funky little number, its got great instrumentation and much like in a jazz track set we hear a little showcase of eack instrument and drums.
All rocked and the bass solo really rocks, then the keys show off a little, before they all engage in the funk again. As I was listening to this forst track I wanted to find who did the awesome bass and its none other than the man Marcel himself, awesome.
As the song takes another turn into groove-ville I'm trying to give you a who it sounds like but I can't yet its like Marcel Yammouni.
The guitar is so well mixed into the tracks your hearing the "whole song", this is consistent throughout the album .
TRACK 2 U DO DONT YA? Loving this track at the outset, the soloing, the tones, the modal games, the bouncing grooves, the feel , the buildup the soloing, the feel, thats a good list and the tracks not finished. One thing that really stands out is the consistency in instrumentation texture and tone, the track could easily have continued from the first , this is the same throughout the whole album.
This track has magic But I guess having Brett Garsed on it probably helped a bit.
TRACK 3 HEART TROUBLE Hello ebow , havent heard one of those on a track inna while , awesome and what a sweet melody much like you'd hear on a classical guitar. But not a nylon guitar in earshot unless its under the very unusual and tonefull electric guitar.
This is ballad and this Floyd-esq string layered ballad and lead guitar has a string or violin quality probably due to Marcells many nuances and swells.
These nuances are the little things that make a big difference between a guitarists and a musician and everything including drums were so very well programmed and the tastefully chosen sounds didn't try to be real sounding and thus sound badly unreal and I think a little of Gilmore came through this tracks wonderful guitar lines.
TRACK 4 NEW BEGINNING A Playful bit of Fusion funk is on the bill now and Marcell keeps the guitar melodic and tasteful without the unessecery use of technique for technique sake, having said this its is evident that Marcell is in a league of his own and the lines are so very well executed.
There's some really great music here and although its a guitar fronted album, the songs are presente as a whole and not guitar played over backings. The musicians caliber is so very evident, a very clever guitar virtuosity mixed with soulful feeling in the lines.
There's some really great music here and although its a guitar fronted album, the songs are presente as a whole and not guitar played over backings. The musicians caliber is so very evident, a very clever guitar virtuosity mixed with soulful feeling in the lines.
TRACK 5 FULL DIRTIES This one a pro fusion track and I've got to say this, like in another track I wondered who it sounded like, the progressive rock and time playfulness plus the modal and melodic game reminded me of something.
This is a kind light dream theatre without the vocals or even metheny-esq metal where theres some fusion but not too far "outside". Theres some blues but not so you'd think blues track even some country in the lines.
Theres a bunch of layers and some very very tasty real drumming going on here by MR Johnny Salerno, I really did get a buzz when the second solo wah guitar comes in and you know by now theres probably nothing Mr Yammouni can't do as this track has virtuosity.
This my favorite track, so far.
This is a kind light dream theatre without the vocals or even metheny-esq metal where theres some fusion but not too far "outside". Theres some blues but not so you'd think blues track even some country in the lines.
Theres a bunch of layers and some very very tasty real drumming going on here by MR Johnny Salerno, I really did get a buzz when the second solo wah guitar comes in and you know by now theres probably nothing Mr Yammouni can't do as this track has virtuosity.
This my favorite track, so far.
TRACK6 SONG FOR LINUS Ballad and a really warm one too , it starts off with the main motif that you'll be humming by the end of the song, the slow fretless guitar gives a floating sensation.
This melody is something from a movie you've not seen yet, sad but hopefull , damn Marcel is weaving some magic here , its got some real toneful and subtle nuances only top class players have.
Under the the track the unique sound of an ebow rings, the strings play a melodic motif , I ponder how this man gets his sweet hollow like tone , semi acoustic guitar perhaps?
Now I'm rambling but I hear a classical influence in the composition and in the melody .
The whole track moves , and it moved me with it. Great Track , one I'de not find out of place in a movie soundtrack.
TRACK 7 GREBO A tastly musical dish is this one , little calypso, a dash of the West African ivory coast in the rhythm, thanks to percussionist Jason Heerah.
Again the awesome fretless guitar (playing melody too much like Jaco P) and the lead guitar playfully lets the chord stabs work their charm.
When the lead comes in, the track has established itself and moves into another mode. One thing that impresses me about all the tracks is the how they are one whole piece of music , the wholeness the tracks really make it a multi instrumental experience.
Sometimes you have a guitar over the top of a track and its great but this has a guitar inside the track that come out of it , you need to hear this . Marcells drummer, Johnny Salero, really does outstanding work on this album .
This is music as good as it gets so very real and live but, I will say after reading the instrumentation on the track info and looking back to see who played this or that part, it surprises me so see that its actually Marcell , its he who is doing all the clever programming and playing the bass and keysboard solos .
TRACK 8 YEAH NAH ITS GOOD This moody little number is an eastern mix of strings and techno, with the lead guitarist popping in and out of the loops .
Again the warmness of Marcels phrasing and tone mixed with his subtle ebow work is outstanding yet again. I love the ebow and its not the easiest thing to use well , I love it did I say that already ?
Some of the percussion work was played by Jason heerah. There is also real Cello on here too thanks to Kristin Rule
TRACK 9 NEW LIFE This track I'll describe in single words, progressive , fusion , rock ,riffs , wah , solo , feel. Those words have all got an affiliation to this one then a little tiny pinch of dream theater-esq moodyness and prog-ness mixed with the , Oh so soulful soloing and the synth arp loops, wah bass solo, and funky vibe to the track . Very good track indeed chaps.
TRACK 10 VAN BRECKATHER Hello whats this ? Awesome little number, a real tribute to the past? Van Halen Lukeather , Rock and metal rhythm lol , completely spoof track I'm sure. That said, it's actually a really good fun playeful number.
I can hear who Marcel reminds me of now , its got Eric Johnson written all over it plus a host of 80-90's rockers. I will say, either Marcel has a very well tracking guitar synth or can play keyboard as well as his guitar.
Early Eric Johnson oozing out of this one man , from the tone to the chordals in the lead, remember this is just my opinion and drawn from my own limited resources and knowledge.
This track ends with some of the hairy-est licks every building up to a flurry of furry metal.
Awesome encore track I'm betting.
This melody is something from a movie you've not seen yet, sad but hopefull , damn Marcel is weaving some magic here , its got some real toneful and subtle nuances only top class players have.
Under the the track the unique sound of an ebow rings, the strings play a melodic motif , I ponder how this man gets his sweet hollow like tone , semi acoustic guitar perhaps?
Now I'm rambling but I hear a classical influence in the composition and in the melody .
The whole track moves , and it moved me with it. Great Track , one I'de not find out of place in a movie soundtrack.
TRACK 7 GREBO A tastly musical dish is this one , little calypso, a dash of the West African ivory coast in the rhythm, thanks to percussionist Jason Heerah.
Again the awesome fretless guitar (playing melody too much like Jaco P) and the lead guitar playfully lets the chord stabs work their charm.
When the lead comes in, the track has established itself and moves into another mode. One thing that impresses me about all the tracks is the how they are one whole piece of music , the wholeness the tracks really make it a multi instrumental experience.
Sometimes you have a guitar over the top of a track and its great but this has a guitar inside the track that come out of it , you need to hear this . Marcells drummer, Johnny Salero, really does outstanding work on this album .
This is music as good as it gets so very real and live but, I will say after reading the instrumentation on the track info and looking back to see who played this or that part, it surprises me so see that its actually Marcell , its he who is doing all the clever programming and playing the bass and keysboard solos .
TRACK 8 YEAH NAH ITS GOOD This moody little number is an eastern mix of strings and techno, with the lead guitarist popping in and out of the loops .
Again the warmness of Marcels phrasing and tone mixed with his subtle ebow work is outstanding yet again. I love the ebow and its not the easiest thing to use well , I love it did I say that already ?
Some of the percussion work was played by Jason heerah. There is also real Cello on here too thanks to Kristin Rule
TRACK 9 NEW LIFE This track I'll describe in single words, progressive , fusion , rock ,riffs , wah , solo , feel. Those words have all got an affiliation to this one then a little tiny pinch of dream theater-esq moodyness and prog-ness mixed with the , Oh so soulful soloing and the synth arp loops, wah bass solo, and funky vibe to the track . Very good track indeed chaps.
TRACK 10 VAN BRECKATHER Hello whats this ? Awesome little number, a real tribute to the past? Van Halen Lukeather , Rock and metal rhythm lol , completely spoof track I'm sure. That said, it's actually a really good fun playeful number.
I can hear who Marcel reminds me of now , its got Eric Johnson written all over it plus a host of 80-90's rockers. I will say, either Marcel has a very well tracking guitar synth or can play keyboard as well as his guitar.
Early Eric Johnson oozing out of this one man , from the tone to the chordals in the lead, remember this is just my opinion and drawn from my own limited resources and knowledge.
This track ends with some of the hairy-est licks every building up to a flurry of furry metal.
Awesome encore track I'm betting.
SUMMERY This is an instrumental fusion rock album and has a generous ten full on tracks .
Marcel Yammouni is and I quote Michael Dolce "The Real Deal" and I can agree he is indeed the real deal. The composition backing and strings element to this CD must look like a classical score for a concerto.
The tonal and instrumental resources are 10/10. Theres a very high level of technique and true musicianship that comes through on each track. The whole CD has a very flowing quality and nothing nasty jumps out or surprises you , well mixed is an understatement, its so very well mixed it could win a prize for that alone .
This CD is not for die hard metal lovers but those who like a little metal will not be let down, its also got a real fusion rock vibe to the rock tracks and chilled vibe to the others.
Its seems that the guitar does not take the greedy centre stage but allows the song, as a whole, to come through mixed with all the instrumentation equally as important as the guitar.
If you took the lead guitar out of the mix you'd still hear the changes and melody the musician is implying over the rest of the music.
This is the kind of Album and music that will grow on you, the fusion and prog rock lover will love this album, not because its prog rock, but because its different with an essence of progressive rock.
The balls out shredder will not hate this album but if thats what your wanting to spend your Christmas bucks on then this isn't for you, unless of coarse, you want widen your horizons and hear what can be achieved with real talent dedication and hard work.
This album is real high quality music and really doesn't compare to anyone else. Marcel Yammouni has spun an album that seems to sit on a fine line in between the genres of rock ,fusion ,ballad ,Latin ,eastern, light progressive, instrumental guitar rock music .
I'de like to give you my thanks Marcel for trusting me with your music .
Marcel Yammouni is and I quote Michael Dolce "The Real Deal" and I can agree he is indeed the real deal. The composition backing and strings element to this CD must look like a classical score for a concerto.
The tonal and instrumental resources are 10/10. Theres a very high level of technique and true musicianship that comes through on each track. The whole CD has a very flowing quality and nothing nasty jumps out or surprises you , well mixed is an understatement, its so very well mixed it could win a prize for that alone .
This CD is not for die hard metal lovers but those who like a little metal will not be let down, its also got a real fusion rock vibe to the rock tracks and chilled vibe to the others.
Its seems that the guitar does not take the greedy centre stage but allows the song, as a whole, to come through mixed with all the instrumentation equally as important as the guitar.
If you took the lead guitar out of the mix you'd still hear the changes and melody the musician is implying over the rest of the music.
This is the kind of Album and music that will grow on you, the fusion and prog rock lover will love this album, not because its prog rock, but because its different with an essence of progressive rock.
The balls out shredder will not hate this album but if thats what your wanting to spend your Christmas bucks on then this isn't for you, unless of coarse, you want widen your horizons and hear what can be achieved with real talent dedication and hard work.
This album is real high quality music and really doesn't compare to anyone else. Marcel Yammouni has spun an album that seems to sit on a fine line in between the genres of rock ,fusion ,ballad ,Latin ,eastern, light progressive, instrumental guitar rock music .
I'de like to give you my thanks Marcel for trusting me with your music .