Edo Castro: Buy

An impressionistic, tech-urban jazz landscape; a story within a story; a tale of tension and grace.

The multi-faceted artistry of Bay Area bassist sensation and composer, Edo Castro, elevates the sounds that come from his unique, multi-stringed basses, both fretted and fretless, into a palate from which intricate compositions flow.   Castro describes his newest release, Sacred Graffiti, as a tapestry of emotive impressions.  "A musical Journal if you will," he explains, "In my day-to-day travels I’ve noticed what may be our modern day cave paintings – signs; scribbles on walls; imprints in the sidewalk; bumper stickers, etc. - all immersed within a cacophony of audible textures.”  These dynamic visuals have been given auditory life as Castro delivers intricate urban jazz arrangements interspersed with immersive soundscapes where the tangible tension between inner and outer worlds is encompassed by grace.   

Delightful jazz blended with tracks that reflect more of a world music blend -creating wonderous soundscapes - a musical journey. Music full of imagination and feeling. Castro's work is very intimate and his talent for artist collaboration - phenomenal. “The name Phoenix is not only a beautiful name, it's also the mythical representation of change or transformation. Phoenix is about transforming personal moments,” Castro explains. Many wonderful musicians are featured on this album including Mark Egan, former bassist with Pat Metheny, who has played on over 100 albums and is a guest artist on Phoenix.

Contemporary Electric Bassist Edo Castro's first release. "I love the flow in your melodies.You are a world class player.Thank you for the music." 9 String Bassist Al Caldwell http://9stringbass.com/Home/default.htm "...Edo Castro, who's a human armory of strange and wonderful sonic colors. Using a combination of 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-string basses, a Chapman Stick, and a toy box full of effects, Edo weaves textures that transcend mere rhythmic accompaniment and soar into the arena of orchestration." Mike Molenda, Editor and Chief Guitar Player Magazine "Edo Castro is a master bassist. I don't know if he was named for the ancient Japanese city which we now know as Tokyo, but his music is just as artful and unique as the exotic and sensual art of 16th and 17th Century Edo. How do I describe this collection of songs performed on a variety of multi-stringed basses, both fretted and unfretted? Someone said listening to EDO is like giving yourself a "mind massage." That certainly would be an apt description. Hard as it might be to categorize this California-based musician's sound, I find myself totally captivated by it...this sonic journey into the realm of Fusion Jazz, New Age, Lounge-Jazz, and the ECM Jazz sound. You'll hear elements that will remind you of Pat Metheny, or perhaps Andreas Vollenweider, or even David Friesen. EDO features a host of world-class support players, among them well-known drummer Paul Van Wageningen. I especially like the tracks "46 West and "Full & Empty," but find that I most enjoy just putting the disc in the player and listening all the way through...for a richly-rewarding, mind-expanding aural experience. If you're looking for exquisitely-performed, impeccably-produced music that will allow you to effortlessly escape the world of the ordinary...and give your sound system a work-out as well...then consider EDO to be a must-have for your music library. ~Scott O'Brien "