Riley, Gyan

***NOW AVAILABLE!!! “Conservatory chops, rock and Indian-music sensibilities, and a new-music penchant for experimentalism fold into one another on this gorgeously recorded follow-up to 2002’s Food for the Bearded (New Albion). Liberally overdubbing his electric, steel-string acoustic, nylon-string classical, and electric bass guitars, Riley enriches the ensemble sound on all but two tracks with contributions by electric violinist Tracy Silverman (a frequent performer with Riley’s father, keyboardist/vocalist and “godfather of minimalism,” Terry Riley); tabla master Zakir Hussain; and drummer Scott Amendola (who anchors the Nels Cline Singers, among other projects). The seven-plus-minute “Herbie Moonshine’s Last Dance” is a multitracked solo tour de force of eight guitars, and the closing “Uspavanka (Lullaby) for Téa” is a lovely classical guitar solo. The flawless technical virtuosity and frontier-less fusion aesthetic will appeal to fans of John McLaughlin and Egberto Gismonti, while the free-form (and sometimes folk) feel of the wryly and philosophically titled individual pieces and suites, including “Mobettabutta,” “Melismantra,” and “The Changes Stay the Same,” should draw in the freak-folk audience whose ears have been opened by the raga-guitar styles of Jack Rose, Ben Chasny, and Sir Richard Bishop.”—Derek Richardson (Acoustic Guitar)