photos by Amy Schwartz
“Purely comprised of these two instruments, Candles Burn offers an isolated look at two instruments rarely heard together and applied toward an unusual mixture of progressive rock-oriented instrumental music and classical chamber music.” – Invisible Oranges
Invisible Oranges is hosting an exclusive stream of Candles Burn, the new EP from prolific Chicago-based Warr guitarist JASON BLAKE which features cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne, ahead of the record’s release this Friday on 7d Media, the label operated by former King Crimson member Trey Gunn.
When not performing and recording with his progressive metal band Aziola Cry, JASON BLAKE is extremely productive as a solo musician, having released nearly a dozen solo titles over the past three years alone. His first solo release of 2024 comes in the form of the succinct and absorbing Candles Burn EP. Evenly split between progressive rock and classical chamber music, Candles Burn tells a tale of redemption, with the unique and mesmerizing sounds of his touchstyle Warr guitar style intertwined with the skillful work of cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne (Leprous, Musk Ox, The Visit); a modern string duo record unlike any other.
JASON BLAKE began composing material for what was going to be the follow up to 2023’s Subsequent Ruins album which saw him paired with drummer Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani, Necrophagist) when he realized that this music could be something different. For the three-song EP, JASON BLAKE used his semi-hollow Artisan Warr guitar to match the acoustic tone of the cello. His guitar parts were recorded and engineered by Amery Schmeisser at Gravel Road Recording in Chicago, who also mixed the album using Raphael Weinroth-Browne’s cello contributions which he self-recorded at home in Ottawa. The tracks were mastered by Andy VanDette (Rush, Porcupine Tree) and the record was completed with artwork by Robert Booth and design by Fumihito Sugawara / Fumanstudios.
BLAKE states, “This is a record that I have wanted to make for some time now. I liked the idea of mixing progressive rock and classical music together and found this to be the perfect opportunity. Seeing as though both Raphael and I play progressive music in bands, I thought that pairing with him could be ideal. His playing was perfect and took this music to a new level. I am very excited for people to hear this album.”
With the EP’s advance stream, Invisible Oranges’ article reads in part, “There’s a lot to dig into musically, with each of the three songs on Candles Burn navigating vastly different paths, but the commonality is how the two instruments resonate with each other. Weinroth-Browne’s playing acts as a rich, textured voice that weaves in and out of BLAKE‘s combined rhythm-and-melody structure, his playing cascading between low and high notes with hypnotic intricacy. If you’re already familiar with BLAKE‘s catalog, this collaboration offers an intriguing twist, and if not, this is a great starting point.”
Visit Invisible Oranges to hear JASON BLAKE’s Candles Burn EP featuring Raphael Weinroth-Browne early via Invisible Oranges at THIS LOCATION.
Candles Burn will be released on CD and all digital platforms through 7d Media this Friday, April 5th. Find preorders HERE, and watch the “Rift And Reckoning” video HERE.
Candles Burn acts as a bridge between Subsequent Ruins and what JASON BLAKE has in store for his next progressive rock album, which is likely to be released later this year amidst additional solo material and a new Aziola Cry album.
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