Producer and composer Les Fradkin completely wipes the competition with his musicianship on the MIDI guitar. With his latest offering, Escape From Earth, Fradkin transforms the genre with his innovative take, using the Starr Labs Ztar MIDI guitar to get his message across.
The sounds that come through are a mind trip in its own right. First off, the album starts off with “Presto Changeo,” an other-worldly track, where the MIDI takes on a life of its own. The exciting sound that greeted me when I hit play were mesmerizing. I felt the energy from every chord pulsating through the music. It was very invigorating. Though only around 2 minutes long, the energy was great.
Up next is “Reflections of Love” which opens up with what sounds like some wind instruments, an electronic beat, and synths. The instruments here reminded me of International music. For some reason, the instruments had an exotic vibe to it. At moments, some of the music reminded me of the sitar.
Following is “Canon in D (Single Version),” which is an original Baroque composition by Johann Pachelbel. This modern and progressive take on a classical composition felt very refreshing to my ears. I didn’t know the MIDI guitar could take an originally classic song and give it such a fresh and bewildering new sound. I very much enjoyed this track.
On “Baroque & Roll,” I was getting some synthetic strings and keys. The inclusion of the MIDI guitar made the sounds very inviting and sweeping. The orchestral elements were a rush to the senses. The music swelled and crescendoes many times, making it feel very cinematic.
More strings join the arrangement on “Winter (from “The Four Seasons”), which is based on an original classical composition by Antonio Vivaldi. What sounds like an organ underlines the track as the MIDI guitar reels in audience members’ attention. The MIDI guitar adds an intergalactic vibe to the overall classical sounds. It adds an arresting layer to what was originally a symphony piece. This was very interesting to listen to.
Toward “Bach Rocks,” some keys and synths add an ominous vibe. The music felt very intense as the somber notes reel you in. The music winds and wraps you in its powerful vibe. Slowly, some beats enter as the MIDI guitar joins in the sounds for an all-encompassing atmosphere. I was getting some space opera feels here. The music was very dramatic here. And I can imagine this music sweeping audience members off their feet if performed live.
On “The Myth of El Cid,” which is a reworking inspired by Antonio Vivaldi’s compositions, the music overall was exciting from start to finish. It carries a rather Baroque sound, which the MIDI guitar’s synthetic tones adapt to very well. The swelling of the orchestral elements also adds to the vibes.
“Handel Rocks” is Fradkin’s reimagining of George Frideric Handel’s music, one of the greatest composers from the Baroque period. This track includes the Starr Labs Ztar MIDI guitar as well as orchestral elements. Some wind instruments join the vibes, giving this a very stirring appeal. The strings sounded great here too.
“Vivaldi Rises Again” is another reimagining from Fradkin of Antonio Vivaldi’s work. The Baroque sounds are immediate and arresting. I couldn’t get enough of the raging sounds that surge and swell to a crescendo. The music sounds classical while still feeling modern. It has a foot in both worlds, making this exciting music truly ground-breaking.
“Summer (from “The Four Seasons”) is another cover from Vivaldi. The radio-active sounds of the Starr Labs Ztar MIDI guitar gave this classical track a nearly space-age feel. The way the MIDI guitar shapes the sound gave this original violin concerto a progressive rock edge. Loving the stirring vibes throughout!
On this cover of Beethoven’s famous “Ode to Joy,” which has been reinvented many times by rock artists throughout the ages, Fradkin gives this a unique feel with the MIDI guitar. The Starr Labs Ztar MIDI guitar on this track sounds very cutting-edge. The reverb-drenched and airy sounds gave this an interesting aura.
On this rendition of “Brandenburg No. 3,” originally composed by Bach, the strings and orchestral elements really carry the sounds as pulsating beats give this a great energy. Once the Starr Labs Ztar MIDI guitar vibes enter, the sounds really came together. I was surprised at how baroque the MIDI guitar sounded here. It really added to the overall sounds, making it sound more textured and layered. The percussion was also a great addition here.
“Brandenburg No. 5” is another reimagining from Fradkin of Bach’s. This is a lengthy track, over ten minutes long, but Fradkin utilizes every second to make each note last. The MIDI guitar once again sounds very baroque, which happens to match the classical sounds very well. The music swells and crescendos many times. At times, it felt very euphoric. The harpsichord solo toward around the 7:30 mark was a rush to the senses as well. Oddly enough, toward the latter half, Fradkin used synth and arpeggiator textures to give what sounded like chiptune vibes that I thought was rather interesting. Later on, I noticed some organs, which added to the overall texture of the sounds.
And last but not least, we have “Escape from Earth (Finale),” which adds in the searing sounds from the MIDI guitar. Some bass enters for an overwhelming vibe. This felt like a very atmospheric track as some brass instruments add to the sounds. Toward the 1-minute mark, some radioactive guitars draw listeners in. The vibe then becomes full-on progressive rock with classical notes. The orchestral elements really add to the sounds. The strings are an exciting addition as the MIDI guitar enters. This was an epic track filled with bewildering cinematic details.
Fradkin really pushes the envelope with his original compositions as well as his own takes on the classics. What once was seen as “stuffy” or “academic,” Fradkin turns it into something modern and fun. It is this fun aspect that really speaks to me overall. I had a lot of fun listening to this record. Especially, the harpsichord and organ section transforming into fast electronic sounds that resembled chiptune, which really piqued my interest on Fradkin’s rendition of Bach’s “Brandenburg No. 5.” Those of you who are looking for a fun way to listen to classical music, this is it. It turns what is originally “high-brow” music into something accessible we can all enjoy.
SCORE/Excellent: Centered around the MIDI guitar, the instrument truly has a strong voice here as Fradkin’s innovative musicianship takes you on a journey with these electric songs. Covers and original compositions join together to make up this eclectic album filled to the brim with sounds that will inspire and spark your imagination. Les Fradkin merges classical music with modern progressive rock in this visionary piece of work. I think Fradkin’s contributions to the genre really shows his influence as an innovator. It feels like this is only the tip of the iceberg in regards to his achievements. And I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next!
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