Search - Ron Affif :: Solotude

Past recordings have often found guitarist Ron Affif leaning more toward the athletic side of his playing than the lyrical. On this solo effort, he exhibits an unexpected and welcome reflective and sensitive side. With much of his prodigious technique taken up supplying simultaneous harmony, melody, bass and rhythm, there is apparently less energy for running lines through chord changes. The acoustic guitar and almost-acoustic-sounding electric guitar tracks add to the mood, allowing the aggressive character of his touch to come to the fore without getting too pugilistic. The repertoire consists largely of romantic standards ("I've Never Been in Love Before," "My Romance," and "What Is This Thing Called Love") and some audibly heartfelt Affif originals ("Mark," "Charene," and "Holly"). Solotude may not break any new musical ground but it offers many musical pleasures: personality, precision, and passion as well as beautifully recorded sound. It sets a romantic mood, and like Coltrane's Ballads, proves that mood music need not be elevator music. --Michael Ross