Arek Religa
In Memory of the Greatests
© 2007 Arek Religa (845350002928)
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"Multifaceted instrumental indie album. 65 minutes of instrumental rock-jazz fusion. Check this amazing guitar work."
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Arek Religa came to America from Poland in the year 2000. He started playing guitar at the age of 16. His musical talent soon transformed him into recognized talent and he was playing on major Polish stages in short order. Religa played with many well-known musicians and bands over the years before arriving on US soil. One of the most memorable performances for Arek was in 1999 when he played the International Film Music Festival in Poznan, Poland with The Robert Janson Band, right next to world famous musicians such as Chuck Mangione, Blues Brothers, Maurice Jarre, Michael Kamen, and others. After the year 2000, he found his talent of composing and arranging.
"Arek Religa's latest album, "In Memory of the Greatests", has been nominated to "LAMA" - Los Angeles Music Awards as a "Best Instrumental Album Of The Year 2008" (see PRODUCERS CHOICE / SHOWCASE SERIES...)"
"Arek has been nominated to award in ISSA 2008 Songwriting Contest, category "Instrumental"
"In memory of the Greatests" by Arek Religa
"Arek Religa was honored with the MuzikReviews.com Sonic Bids talent contest winner a few months ago. With his amazing guitar playing talents and his two-hand tapping technique video that leaves your mouth hanging open, made the choice obvious as we narrowed it down to the final three contestants.
In Memory Of The Greatests is Religa’s tribute the great guitar maestros of our time. Arek hails from Poland. Quite amazingly, he did not start playing the guitar until he was sixteen years old. Getting a late start in life did not seem to matter.
This recording is comprised of 13 tracks of instrumental rock, jazz-fusion, blues, and all of that mixed together with atmospheric orchestrated backgrounds created by keyboards to give it a symphonic prog rock feel at times. On scorchers like “Viva Carlos”, the guitarist cuts loose and gives his best impression of the legendary rock-blues-world six-string hero Santana. That is the only track that is obviously dedicated to one particular artist, while the rest of the tracks are an intelligent mixture of influences and superb talent inspired by many years of studying the masters and perfecting a unique style.
In the end when the CD stops spinning, you are convinced that you have found a new guitar hero to bow to and acknowledge, yet another previously unrecognized force to be reckoned with in the vast world of indie music.
This guy can rock, he plays with taste and style, and a little bit of both for the perfect audio elixir that will have you mesmerized in no time flat. As you make your way through this instrumental treasure trove you discover how brilliant the artist is and how using influences from many genres and great guitar players through the ages allows for a most enjoyable and diversified listening experience. Do not let the tranquil cover of the CD put any expectations in your mind of what you are in for; this is an artist with a passionate flame burning inside. It comes flowing through the strings of his instrument one track after another.
I refer to one track on the CD however; I would prefer to look at it as a whole entity, a project that has a beginning and end with a storyline implicated by the title of each track. Songs without words can paint a canvas that leaves you to your own devices and imagination. Arek Religa perpetuates this very situation consistently throughout his work in all 13 tracks. The future is now for innovative independents like this; check out this amazing guitar work on In Memory Of The Greatests."
Copyright MuzikReviews.com-Keith “MuzikMan”Hannaleck-December 16, 2007
"In memory of the Greatests" by Arek Religa
"From Polish-born composer/guitarist/keyboardist Arek Religa comes this thirteen track disc of original instrumentals, most of which are in a jazz/rock fusion vein, with classical, electronica, Latin, progressive rock and World music elements incorporated into the mix, without losing focus. Religa is joined by Tomasz Wywrot on sax and keyboards, Jerzy Kusiak on drums, bassist Pawel Pospieszalski, percussionist Jacek Berlin, and Konrad Stankiewicz on keyboards and rhythm guitar.
The symphonic “Hope” provides the dramatic opening moments, slowly building to a cinematic climax. “Beyond Horizon” gets into funk territory, with some imaginative guitar orchestrations. “Viva Carlos” is a nod to Santana - check out Arek’s fiery wah-wah pedal work! “Island of My Dreams“ and “Next Step to the End” both start in a pastoral mood, then kick it up a notch or two. “On the Road” and “And the Road Goes on” further show Religa’s versatility as a guitarist, dialing up just the right sound for the occasion. “For All My Angels” toggles between distorted power chords and clean, echo-drenched lead lines under an almost robotic dance beat. “By the Paradise” features a slide guitar reminiscent of George Harrison, as well as some fine sax playing. “In Memory of the Greatests” closes with the haunting title track.
This is one CD to check out when you are in the mood for music that is at once adventurous and highly listenable."
Written By: Bill Coonley evolutionofmedia.com
Arek Religa
In memory of the Greatests
Review by Gary Hill www.musicstreetjournal.com
I’ve never heard of this guy before, but he’s a great guitarist. He’s also an excellent songwriter. Fans of Al Di Meola, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Carlos Santana and others would be well advised to pick this up. His playing is along the lines of guys of that ilk – yes, he’s that good! Of course, he also plays a lot more than just guitar – he provides all the instrumentation on some of the tracks here and most on some of the others. Guitar, though, is his specialty and he deserves a place among the greats in that field. If I had one complaint here, it’s the same as with a lot of instrumental music. Instrumental music by its very nature can have a tendency towards sameness and this disc, while fairly insulated, isn’t completely immune to that. We could have used some vocals in one or two spots on the CD to shake things up a little. Still, that’s the only real complaint here. All in all, this is a fine album from a man whose name should be spoken alongside all the guitar greats you already know.
Track by Track Review
"Hope"
Piano begins this in a slow moving, intricate and very pretty melody. Other keyboard sounds join to fill in the arrangement. At around the one minute mark other instrumentation enters and this suddenly feels like a dramatic, symphonic piece of music with a bit (and rather small at that) rock edge. At around the minute and a half mark it drops way down to ambience and an evocative guitar line plays slowly and gently. The keys rise up here and there in accompaniment as the fretboard sings out its heart. The keys regain control at about three minutes in. Then we move back into the symphonic sounds. This takes it to a drop back down to ambient keys that ends the track.
"Beyond Horizon"
This is far more “rock” oriented. Percussion leads it in and other instrumentation joins after a time. When the guitar enters it’s in a very Al Di Meola-ish motif. Fusion is written all over this cool track that has a great sort of groove to it. Just before the two minute mark they move things out into something more akin to Genesis meets Joe Satriani. This is worked through for a while until it gives way to the motif that preceded it to carry on. It makes it through several varying themes before closing out.
"Viva Carlos!"
This song feels like a cross between Di Meola and Carlos Santana. Of course, it is a definite tribute to the latter. This is a cool track, but perhaps a bit less prog like than some of the other material here. It really has a definite Santana vibe to it and CS’ fans should really dig this one.
"Island of my dreams"
Here Religa brings it in with a lot more sedate motif. This feels like mellow fusion blended with balladic prog. It drops back to a more pure jazz motif, mostly due to the saxophone. Piano leads the way for a time and then the sax returns to carry more melody. At around the two minute mark this shifts out to a killer jazz groove that’s quite intriguing. Then it takes another turn, into more mellow wanderings again. When the guitar rises up later it brings a major fusion sound as the bass churns away with some definite funk edge. It moves through a couple other moods before ending.
"Next step to the end"
Ambient textures lead this off an hold it for a time. When the music rises up it’s quite mellow, almost to the level of new age music. This is a pretty piece of music. Around the two and a half minute mark it powers up to a more rock oriented sound. Some cool flanged guitar comes over the top. This takes on some territory close to the Satriani type of music. At around the seven minute mark this powers out into a killer, more pure prog, jam. It still has some of the funk and other elements of the earlier sections, but this would probably qualify as progressive rock in just about anyone’s definition. It moves out to a more hard rocking motif later, with the focus shifting back to the guitar. Keys are laced over the top here and there before the track fades out to end. It’s another tasty tune on an album that’s full of them.
"Into the future"
Here we get a lighter sort of sound. This has an airy funk meets prog and pop music motif. The keyboards turn it more towards pure prog as they solo over the top of the backdrop for a time. Then Relega brings his brand of guitar to the forefront and the fusion elements are more in play. This turns into a cool groove after a time. It runs through in that motif for a while and then drops back for a more sedate section. Saxophone comes across after a while.
"It's going to be better"
This one alternates between a rocking sort of fusion meets jam band prog sound and a mellower, more fusion oriented sound. You might even hear a little Allman Brothers on this one. It’s a cool tune. By now I’m to the point where I could use some vocals, though. Still a keyboard dominated section provides some much needed variety.
"On the road"
A backwards burst gives way to a dramatic jam that seems to combine modern progressive rock with AOR and jazz. This is a bit different from some of the other material on show and provides a bit of a change. It’s quite powerful and prog rock oriented, but the bass and overall composition provides a good deal of fusion to the mix.. Then it drops way back to just keys and bass to gradually build up again. I like this one a lot. In fact, it’s one of my favorites on show here. It turns more towards the more rocking sounds that permeate much of the disc.
"And the road goes on"
Drums lead things off in a more “rock and roll” sort of rhythm. As the other instruments join, though, we get a sort of groove oriented fusion meets Santana approach. This is another highlight of the disc. Although in many ways it doesn’t differ greatly from a lot of the other material here it manages to pack a bit more of a punch than some of the other tracks.
"Waiting for the miracle"
This has a mellower, more pure jazz sound. Again, the saxophone is greatly responsible for that texture. As this moves along we get more pure fusion and then at other points more pure progressive rock. This is one of the more dynamic and effective pieces on show here. It’s definitely a highlight of the disc. The saxophone ends it.
"For all my Angels"
“For all my Angels” comes in with a more pure rock and roll approach. A hard rocking riff that’s almost a bit like Led Zeppelin starts it off and holds it for a while. It’s shifted more towards prog rock at times, though. This hard edged section is alternated with a more melodic, fusion sort of sound. It makes for an intriguing ebb and flow approach to the track. While I wouldn’t necessarily call this one a “highlight,” it’s definitely one of the more unique pieces on the disc.
"By the paradise"
Here we are treated to a more mellow, fusion like jam. The saxophone gets a prominent place in the mix on this track. The number has a relaxing and quite satisfying texture to it. It’s again one of the more unique tunes offered here. It’s also one of my favorites. I hear a bit of “Father and Son Reunion” in the melody on this. We actually get a little taste of country in the guitar solo.
"In memory of the Greatest"
A bit more along the lines of Satriani and such musicians, this is still fairly sedate and fusion-like. It has a definite air of drama and mystery at times. It’s also quite pretty. It moves through a number of alternating musical formats, seeming at times ready to move off into space. We get a number of different textures and moods throughout. This is one of the most dynamic pieces on the CD. At almost nine minutes in length, it is the longest.
Press Release
Arek Religa Releases Multifaceted Instrumental Indie Album In Memory of The Greatests. Chicago, Illinois- January 6, 2008
Artist's first major release of original compositions was released in late 2007 titled In Memory of The Greatests.The recording features 13 varied tracks of instrumental rock-jazz-fusion. Each track creates a different atmosphere as the six-string wizard gives the nod to the great players of our time. On “Viva Carlos,” one of the most popular modern day artists, Carlos Santana, gets a fitting tribute. The familiarity of that song allows the listener to find their own comfort zone then settle in and enjoy the explorations Religa takes off on for the rest of the recording.
Religa is a multitalented instrumentalist providing the guitar, keyboards, bass, and programming throughout the entire recording. The atmospheric layers of music that the artist uses are symphonic at times, leading the music into a more progressive path. The jazz-rock-fusion is also very progressive with the instrumentation and compositions on In Memory of The Greatests.
Arek Religa is a talent on the rise and he will soon find his music in demand by not only listeners but also movie soundtracks and video games would be a certain consideration for his work. Arek was recognized most recently for his outstanding talents by MuzikReviews.com . He was selected out of 64 other artists that entered the talent contest the site ran through Sonic Bids.
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