Kasper brings instrumental albums back in style

Some say music is dead. Listening to Julien Kasper suggests otherwise. On his first full-length album, Flipping Time, Kasper's trained ear for musical melodies soars in a more abstract, often overlooked musical category: instrumental.

His eccentric mix of organ, guitar, and bass is new and cutting edge. The tune never falls. Every silence is placed with genius intentionality, creating some of the loudest of musical moments. The beats are mixed and new, creating what Kasper calls, "psychedelic roots fusion."

Flipping Time opens with the upbeat "Home Place." His eclectic blend of blues, jazz and rock 'n' roll are all evident on the opening track. A steady rolling drum beat keeps the music at full force, and the melody is carried by an old Fender guitar, creatively harmonized with an organ.

The title track, "Flipping Time," commences with a jazzy drum solo, and then goes on to portray Kasper's fiery blues ambitions mixed with a taste of tangy Texas country soul -- a style acquired from his two year studies at the University of Northern Texas, where he earned his MA in Jazz studies.

Kasper's grade-A ballad work is evident on the track "I know." The music rapidly swells and ebbs as the song runs, magically creating a psychedelic mood. It is filled with minor keys and special effects that help sever Kasper's music from any specific category beyond instrumental.

The third track, "Now We Know," perhaps the best representation of Kasper's spontaneous side, is replete with a throbbing beat carried by the bass. The same sad Fender elegantly thrives through the background beats, bursting with Hendrix-style improvisations.

The various instruments used throughout Kasper's music -- the high guitar, the organs, the drumbeat -- collectively work to establish a certain spin-off blues style. All the tracks are created to encompass an overall striking effect, whether it is crying, pondering, or getting up and dancing.

Kasper knows from first-hand experience what types of sounds represent which types of emotions and experiences -- he is a man with a rich musical history. Born in France, Kasper was reared on many styles of music. From the age of eight, he could always found with a guitar, exploring the intricacies of greats, such as Eric Clapton, BB King, Freddie King and Duane Allman.

Kasper is also well schooled in music. He received a scholarship to University of Miami's Jazz and Studio Programming before headed off to the heart of country soul in Texas. He is currently an associate professor at the School of Music at Berkeley, in which he is noted for his two high demand lab courses that specialize in deciphering the unique musical styles of Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck.

Kasper composed all the tracks on Flipping Time himself, but it is performed with the aid of six fellow musicians and friends. Most notable is Bruce Katz, a world- renowned organ player.

Kasper eloquently mixes his many musical styles and training together on his first album. He creates a sort of hybrid funk composed of jazz, blues, country, and 60's rock. It is instrumental music that keeps you rocking, moving, and jazzing. He blends sounds and music so creatively, that the album seems more like a funk-jazz orchestra than a traveling band. The depth of this music is unbelievable.

Kasper proves that instrumental music is happening. People tend to think that music without lyrics is without entertainment value. Kasper proves this ideology wrong. He fills all the spaces that could be saturated with lyrics with head on and in your face music fusion. He brings back old styles reminiscent of B.B. King, and mixes them with guitar solos of Jimi Hendrix to mold into today's techno-jazz culture. Flipping Time is truly a piece of interactive modern art.

Julien Kasper has been around the block and his experience is well displayed on Flipping Time. It is a rare album that fits under no particular category, because it not only pushes, but extends beyond all limits of jazz, blues, and country and furthermore infuses the funk music of today. Bottom line: Julien Kasper is a wildly inspiring musician in addition to a fabulous listen.