Philip Catherine

Selected Works 1974-1982 Parlophone France

Esoteric and entrancing jazz fusion If you’ve not encountered the playing of Belgian jazz-fusion guitarist Philip Catherine, we strongly advise you explore this enigmatic and, at times, captivating four-album retrospective. The high point is 1975’s Guitars – a kaleidoscope of shifting sonic textures and elusive melodies stitched through with Catherine’s fearlessly virtuosic lunges of alternate picking. The more you listen, the more it mesmerises. By contrast, 1982’s End Of August is a sunnier, more airy LP with Catherine switching to acoustic, while soprano sax lines wind their tendrils through each piece. The more abstract September Man from 1974 and 1980’s Babel complete an engrossing set. [JD] Standout track: We’ll Find A Way For fans of: Allan Holdsworth, Soft Machine