KEVIN KASTNING and BRUNO RÅBERG – SILENT DIMENSIONS (Greydisc Records) (2024)

I have reviewed Kevin Kastning’s music before on DISS. On this Kevin plays contra and subcontra guitars with 16, 24 and 36 strings. In case you are wondering this is an instrument of his own invention, and he studied at Berklee College of Music and was a student of PAT METHENY. Double bassist Bruno is a Swedish musician and band leader.

It all sounds very technical, doesn’t it? But some intriguing sounds are produced and for students of guitar in particular this will be a fascinating listen. It is not all about virtuosity and invention as ‘Transfigure Vanish 1’ shows: a haunting, repetitive bassline and interesting use of percussion (tapped bass I think) accompanying the ascending guitar notes in an atmospheric and beguiling piece.