Full Spectrum Records welcomes noted guitarist and improviser Ross Hammond into the fold with the release of ‘A Bright Light.’
A prolific recording artist, Hammond has self-published a slew of home recorded material, in addition to his numerous works for Blue Hole, Prescott, and other “formal” outlets, mining a rich playing style that travels freely among what he terms “the Banyan tree” of jazz, blues, global traditions, and improvised music. ‘A Bright Light’ carries on in this traditional working style, capturing a supple improvisation on his National acoustic lap steel guitar, tuned to Open D, direct-to-tape.
Recorded at home in Sacramento, California on a cold January’s day, this material stands as a potent and deeply personal document of what could be termed improvisation-as-mindfulness. To wit, ‘A Bright Light’ is the product of the artist simply pressing play on a practice that he engages regularly, as a part of his day-to-day routine. Amidst the ongoing COVID pandemic / endemic, our fracturing biosphere, and the ongoing stress testing of Western Democracy, Hammond has found balance in using longer improvised sessions as a method of centering. In his own words, “it’s good to just sit for a while and make sounds.”
John Green, Hammond’s former guitar teacher, once said, “the fastest way out of town is down the neck of your guitar.” In this spirit, we hope these jams bring light, warmth, and a gentle escape to our friends and supporters in the colder months to come.
credits
released November 4, 2022
Ross Hammond - steel guitar
Recorded at home directly to cassette January 2022
Full Spectrum Records releases the works of experimental musicians and sound artists, with an ear towards idiosyncratic tones, extended time frames and unique compositional approaches.
supported by 14 fans who also own “A Bright Light”
Beautiful! This album draws you in, asks you to listen closely, and will surprise you just when you think you know what's next. A lovely work, artful and alluring. vB
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