Well! What can I say about Gabriel Nacu that hasn't been said already? What? You've never heard of him?
Well! You don't know what you're missing!
In his own words he says, " I have tried to recreate in this album different moments of my life...."
After listening to this album countless times, I just wanted to know more about this man, and the inspiration behind the music, and as Pete mentions earlier in this issue, I just cannot wait to interview him!
But for now, - back to the album:
These nine tracks of stunning guitar playing and fine lyrics is probably one of the best I have heard for some time.
If this really is a journey through your life, Gabriel - I look forward with great anticipation for the next volume.
Hopefully, by then, it will ve on sale in the shops, - because talent such as this should be heard far and wide, and by one and all.
Nigel
Any record producers out there: Don't let this guy slip through your fingers! - Pete Perry.
I Still Believe... (released in March 2003) is signed by Gabriel Nacu, British guitar player, composer or Romanian origin, member of many rock bands activating in Eastern Europe - Harap Alb, Red and Black, Voltaj, Compact, Riff, Caligula(England).
The album is a "one Gabi Nacu show", written, played and produced by the author. It consists of 9 songs meant to emphasize moments from the artist's life "I have tried to recreate in this album different moments of my life..." he's writing in the presentation message of the album.
Engaged in the expresive and rhythmic language of the heavy rock, the album is a progressive hard rock with hints of ethno music.
Evidently I found Gabriel Nacu more mature, more inventive. He offers now a creative and original material with many references to the concept of jazz; daring thematic melodious nucleus, juicy, thrilling, calling the virtuous improvization ("Quo Vadis" and especially "I Still Believe", single hit songs).
The music is dynamic, loaded with positive energy, motivated, and "painted" with a nostalgic athmosphere well moderated (Mother's Dance), ethno suggestions (Gypsy Heart on Fire - the idea being Romanian folklore).
The harmonic context is embelished with diminished chords, the voice is treated as an instrument in a balanced counterpointed context, virtue that is profited by the resonant level of the sound; the flavours of Scotish modulation or Oriental (At Dawn in The Balkans) are increasing the programs activity through which Gabriel Nacu demonstrates his technical assets less common for this type of message (solo guitar and bass), a positive-agresive temperament.
Listening to the album I have received the explanation of its title: Gabi Nacu believes in... his guitar. And well he's doing so; his music is traditional-delightful.
Daniela Caraman FOTEA
