ARJUN: “CORE” -An explosive ball of musical energy!

ARJUN, the three-piece instrumental band from New York, has been trailblazing their own hybrid of rock and improvisational jazz since 2003. After signing with Pheromone Records in 2006, ARJUN, made up of Eddie Arjun Peters (guitar), Lamar Myers (drums), and Andre Lyles (bass), released their debut album PIECES, followed by 2013’s SPACE. SPACE, is the first in a three-album trilogy.

The band’s latest upcoming release, CORE, is second in the three-album trilogy. According to the band it is a reinvention of ARJUN’s sound and style, rooted in carefully crafted melodies which tell resonant stories without words. CORE also features the talents of John Medeski (of Medeski Martin & Wood) on its title track, and was mixed by legendary producer/mixer Scotty Hard. CORE was recorded at Level 11 Studios in New York City and at a studio in Brooklyn. It was produced by Eddie Arjun Peters and mastered at Turtletone Mastering by Michael Fossenkemper (Medeski Martin & Wood, Soulive, Bootsy Collins…).

The album officially gets out on 9/23, and we were able to hear a preview, while the single and title track CORE is already available on CdBaby and iTunes.

Close your eyes and it’s easy to feel like you are back in the 60s or70s while taking in this beautiful piece of music. Obvious blues influences abound as that sweet Eddie Arjun Peters way of guitar play washes its way into your soul and through a myriad of chunky riffs and breezy jazz-rock grooves. This is thorough ‘power-trio’ music, with the addition of John Medeski’s Organ interludes of course.

These guys are an explosive ball of musical energy. ARJUN work as a trio because each member has a powerful command over his instrument, as is well demonstrated on CORE.

Eddie Arjun Peters is an unbelievable guitarist, Andre Lyles is a supremely talented bassist, and Lamar Myers is a killer drummer. And if you need a quick demonstration or ‘musical shortcut’ to the aural pleasure they provide, just tune into “Lavalust”, which sums up, in just over 4 minutes how extremely talented and cohesive this band is.

If you are having doubts about purchasing this album, leave them behind. CORE is near perfect in every way. From the opening track, “Rocks” through “Deep Impact”, “Core”, Crystaline, “Lavalust, “Alchemy and “Within You” , there is excellent diversity, from sweet blues and jazz influences to ass kicking rock.

It is rare when a new release lives up to the expectations that you have for it, but when it actually far exceeds those expectations you know that something is seriously going on in the music!

ARJUN are steadfastly moving instrumental rock into the future, taking with it the noble heritage of the past. All wrapped up in outstanding songwriting and the awe-inspiring guitar work of Eddie Arjun Peters. The band manages to sound both high-flying and respectably restrained at the same time. A rare trait, reserved only by great musicians, sure of their craft.

If you have not heard ARJUN yet, I would recommend it as soon as possible. CORE is a good a place as any to start!

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