"Guitarist Az Samad has done it again with his solo album "in the deep night/electric poetry," achieving a stunning mix of virtuosic technique, creative improvisation, and sonic discovery. The album takes us through a meditative exploration of sound, each song a new story told directly through the guitar. Sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy this beautiful musical journey from beginning to end." Carrie Jahde, Drummer, Composer, and Educator “These ethereal songs paint the listener with starlight. Songs of the mind and spirit, they allow us to experience the majesty of space and the depths of the heart.” - Omar Musa, poet and rapper "Guitarist Az Samad's latest album, ‘in the deep night/electric poetry’, is a masterpiece of different moods and textures on electric guitar. While listening I found myself thinking many of the tracks would make great music for a film. A personal favorite for me is the emotive track, Chorale.” - Anton Emery, Celtic Fingerstyle Guitarist "By combining melodic improvisation with generous use of effects and other sound tools, Az is able to create a listening experience that focuses on texture and atmosphere. This is music for poets, or maybe just for your inner poet." - Mason Razavi, Guitarist-Composer “Az Samad's new all electric guitar album, "in the deep night/electric poetry," is something I've been looking forward to for a while. Much of the first half of the album is very melodic, reflective and textural. It's as if you're sitting right in front of his guitar in the same room, listening to his fingers touch the strings, creating melodies, patterns and harmonics in a very close and personal way. If this was on vinyl and we were about to listen to side 2, Az begins by introducing new and exciting textures. This is where the ride takes a gentle turn, exploring new sonic territory. Progressively, things become more curious and visual, with the use of distortion, volume swells and other effects, all done in a tasteful way. All the while, Az displays a unique subtlety and sense of wonder, complimented by his proficiency on his instrument and his ability to present each piece with a fine precision. You always hear people says things like "this album sounds best through headphones" but I think this may really be one of those albums truly deserving of such a statement. Put on your headphones, and listen privately, and you will feel as though Az has created a personal soundtrack, just for you.” - Eric Hausmann, Multi-Instrumentalist & Composer [About The Album - by Az Samad] It started with a guitar. Back in 2009, I met guitar builder William Jeffrey Jones at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival. That's also where I first tried the Proteus electric guitar that is now my main electric guitar. There's something special about finding an instrument that inspires your music. That led to my first solo electric guitar album 'the amsterdam recordings' in 2012. Now, in 2013 - I'm exploring electric guitar with live looping and guitar effects. The album is actually divided into 2 parts. The first half is entitled 'in the deep night' and is music meant for relaxation. The 2nd half is 'electric poetry'. This half is an exploration of multi-tracked electric guitar & live looping. There's one composed piece entitled 'an open mind' and the other tracks are all improvisations. [in the deep night] Tracks 2-6 Inspired by nature, these improvised solo electric guitar pieces are meant to accompany inspirational words from yourself or people you admire. The moods range from the gentle reflections of life in water to the subtle apparent darkness of the night. Two pieces, 'in space’ and ‘asteroid’ are explorations of outer space through atmospheric harmonics and low chordal textures. The closing piece, ‘thoughts that drift’ uses soft melodies that cycle interspersed with a louder recurring note. This parallels how our thoughts wander from what is important to us to the concerns of daily life. I hope that this music will accompany your chosen words or inner thoughts. [electric poetry] Tracks 1 & 7-10 These are layered electric guitar pieces. The pieces are darker in feel compared to the first half of the album. [What] Tracks 2-6 are solo electric fingerstyle guitar improvisations. Tracks 7-9 are multi-tracked electric guitar improvisations. Tracks 1 & 10 are live recordings of live looping & electric guitar. Track 1 is a composed piece & track 10 was improvised on the theme of "magic". [When] Track 1 recorded on 25 March 2013 Tracks 2-6 recorded on 13 February 2013 Tracks 7-9 recorded on 6 March 2013 Track 10 recorded 31 March 2013 credits releases 29 May 2013 Music, recording & album art by Az Samad Cover Photo by Yin Performed on a William Jeffrey Jones Proteus Electric Guitar