Last Century Steve Raegele

• 1 Last Century 50:24
• 2 Sisyphus 50:24
• 3 Janet Jackson 50:24
• 4 Stop Short 50:24
• 5 Daedalus 50:24
• 6 The Opposite 50:24
• 7 Hercules 50:24
• 8 Verdun 50:24
• 9 Fight Club the Rabbit 50:24
• 10 Pareidolia 50:24
• 11 Bacchus 50:24
• Total Runtime 09:14:24

Info for Last Century

Montreal guitarist Steve Raegele's debut, Last Century, with bassist Miles Perkin and drummer Thom Gossage, marks the beginning of a career that will, no doubt, be looked back upon despite being disregarded at this stage. The album doesn't mark Raegele's launching point, however, but the due reward of a turbulent turning point, as the guitarist has abandoned his role as lead guitarist for indie rock band, The Besnard Lakes, to seek more autonomy and creative freedom. Raegele has since played with many local greats, and he's been a devoted member of Thom Gossage's project Other Voices, where the trio has acted as rhythm section within a larger ensemble since 2005.

This is a wonderful trio, with an exhilarating level of interplay and exchange. The playing is clear, innovative and dynamic, and possesses an infectious nervousness— not a jittery, over-caffeinated uneasiness, but the snappy, edgy alertness of people fully engrossed in the moment. Acting. Reacting. Feeding off one another.

For Last Century, Raegele takes the lead and provides the subject matter. The result is not exactly post-bop or modal jazz, but possesses elements of jazz- rock, as well as progressive and psychedelic rock and dabs of avant-garde with hints of the free. Is originality ever fully classifiable into preexisting styles?

Simply, the result is a discussion worth partaking in; three comfortably good friends talking music through music. It's about identity and self-expression; it's about interaction; it's about creation; but it's also about banality and futility and so it's mostly about being human, and about being Steve Raegele, and about Thom Gossage and Miles Perkin being themselves being Steve. It's about dedicated artists offering up honest bits of themselves.

One thing is clear: this album is also about what it doesn't offer— specifically, melody. The tunes are atmospheric and moody, lending themselves to a cliché like 'an exploration of melody through rhythm and harmony,' for there is a technical side to all the songs, allowing melody to rise out of Raegele's playful mastery over time and space—he makes it clear that he's not just a gifted guitarist, he's also an attention-worthy composer.

The compositions are well-laid out, varied but not eclectic, inviting the active deciphering and construction of the associations that allow them to be. Citing Jim Hall, John Abercrombie, and Bill Frisell as references becomes redundant upon hearing Raegele—'Stop Short' almost seeming like an homage to the latter two. Despite the clear parallels, he is none of these players; he has his own language, but like them Raegele knows his limitations, and focuses on his strengths. Rather than attempting to wow with speed, cushy grooves, and catchy riffs, Raegele focuses on placement, technique, and careful phrasing.

Last Century is a very mature album from a relatively young voice. By adding Steve Raegele to their albeit limited but incredibly discerning and great sounding offerings, Songlines Recordings has made what should prove to be a wise long-term investment: a career worth looking back on. (Pascal-Denis Lussier, All About Jazz)

Steve Raegele, Guitar
Miles Perkin, Acoustic Bass
Thom Gossage, Drums

Steve Raegele - Guitar
(b.1975) is a Montreal guitarist and composer. His debut CD as a leader is entitled “Last Century” on the Songlines label. It features drummer Thom Gossage and bassist Miles Perkin as they interpret 11 Raegele compositions that straddle the lines between improvisation and organized sound. Steve has studied with Rod Ellias and Justin Haynes as well as with faculty at the Banff Centre for the Arts. (Dave Douglas, Ari Hoenig, Joe Lovano, Tony Malaby) He has performed with Thom Gossage, Drew Gress, Frank Lozano, Lori Freedman, Jean Derome, Isaiah Ceccarelli, Remi Bolduc and others.

Miles Perkin - Acoustic Bass
(b.1980) is a Canadian musician from Brandon, Manitoba. A bassist, composer, improvisor and interpreter with a strong focus on using improvisation as a tool which maintains, respects and enhances compositional structures. He uses a unique combination of conventional, extended and invented techniques along with unconventional tools to coax a vast palate of sounds from his double bass.
'Bassist Miles Perkin knows how to use his strings to create an exciting sound in the furthest outreaches of his instrument' - Merijn Schipper, sapsite.nl
In addition to his work as a soloist, he is involved in a wide range of Canadian and European based musical projects including: A new Quartet with Benoit Delbecq, Tom Arthurs and Thom Gossage, his 6 piece ensemble Common Thread, Steve Raegele Trio, Thom Gossage Other Voices, trio with Tom Arthurs & Yorgos Dimitriadis, trio with Philippe Lauzier & Robbie Kuster, Peter Van Huffel Quartet, duo with Benoit Delbecq, trio with Achim Kaufmann & Samuel Rohrer, duo with violinist Gerhard Uebele, and a trio with Magda Mayas & Rudi Fischerlehner.

Thom Gossage - Drummer/ Percussionist/ Composer
currently lives in Montreal, Quebec Canada. He attended Vanier College where he studied classical percussion and drum set. He has studied with Peter Magadini, Ron Page, Chris McAnn, and at Drummers Collective in New York city. Thom has performed in numerous jazz and improvised music settings. He has worked with Benoit Delbecq, Francois Houle, Wolter Weirbos, Ernst Gellerum, Steve Swell, Joel Miller with (Kurt Rosenwinkle, Ben Monder), Dave Binney, Christine Jensen, The Remi Bolduc Electric Group, Sound Clash, and John Labelle.
He has also been a dance accompanist for over twenty years. It is this association that led him to composition. His ongoing collaborations with acclaimed choreographer Isabelle Van Grimde have resulted in numerous scores, both recorded and performed live. In 2002, Thom Gossage Other Voices received the prestigious OPUS award. For “best jazz concert of the year”. The group has released three c.d’s of his original compositions to critical acclaim.
Currently, he is involved in the creative music projects of, Thom Gossage Other Voices, Les Chemins de traverse (Isabelle Van Grimde) Follow Follow (Rainer Weins), Joel Miller and Mandala, Common Tread (Miles Perkin), The Eric Hove Trio, Catherine Potter and the Duniya Project.

Booklet for Last Century