HR3

HR3 - HR3 - 2013 - Vega Musique

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." - Hunter S Thompson

Hansford Rowe is a fusion bass guitarist. Basically a self-taught musician, Rowe played bass in a local New York City band in jazz clubs until he met drummer Pierre Moerlen. He moved to France with Moerlen and became a member of Gong, taking part in their transformation into Pierre Moerlen's Gong (PMG) in 1977, playing on their albums Expresso II, Downwind, Live, Time is the Key and Leave It Open. In 1986, he appeared on a re-united PMG album Breakthrough and in 1988 on Second Wind and Full Circle Live '88. In 1994, he was co-founder of Gongzilla with other former PMG members and continues to work with the band. In 1999 he released a solo album recorded in Quebec and New York City entitled "No Other". The album was recorded with long-time compatriot Bon Lozaga (guitar) and other guest musicians. The tour for the album featured singer-songwriter Happy Rhodes. In 2001, Rowe and Lozaga played on Rhodes' album Find Me, and toured the album in 2004.Currently performing in HR3 trio, with guitarist Julien Sandiford and drummer Max Lazich, 2011 - present. Plans are to release their debut album this year (2013) which was recorded at Piccolo Studio in Montreal, and produced by Denis Savage. - Wiki

American bassist Hansford Rowe began his career in the clubs of New York City. With French drummer Pierre Moerlen he reformed the jazz-rock group Gong. PM's Gong had many guests including icons like Mick Taylor & Steve Winwood & Didier Lockwood. International touring soon secured Hansford a place among the world's leading bass players and work with Mike Oldfield, Allan Holdsworth, John Martyn, Bireli Lagrene, La Monte Young, David "Fuze" Fiuczynski, Gary Husband etc. Hansford plays Warwick bass guitars and amplifiers and has worked closely with them on the development of the first Just Intonation bass. He also endorses DR Strings, Lehle pedals, Peterson tuners and Sommer cables and the Basswitch IQ DI. He is a founding member of the band Gongzilla. He plays with Spanish jazz guitarist Jordi Torrens in a project called Moment. Hansford is a member of the funkulty at Bootsy Collin's Funk University. His current project is a jazz power trio called HR3. © http://www.hansfordrowe.com/hrc.html

What can I say about HR3's album that hasn't already been said about the wheel, penicillin, or the iPhone? - Wow fantastic ***** by THE DROOLING © 2013 Apple Inc. All rights reserved

Hansford Rowe commands 2 of Montreal’s youngest and finest shredders, and here it is. Barcelona stuck in my head for the last 24 hours, amongst other less accessible passages (for the layperson of course) - everything will stick here. - must have for modern jazz/funk listeners ***** - by Karnbutus © 2013 Apple Inc. All rights reserved

Best known for his work with 70s fusion-era Gong and later, some lengthy stints with Mike Oldfield, in more recent times bassist Hansford Rowe has been putting his deft technique to the service of a more compact and reflective sound. As with Moment, his Latin-infused 2011 collaboration with guitarist Jordi Torrens, a subdued mood smoulders throughout this collection of understated tunes. Barcelona initially conjures with a simple Jobim-like melody but soon extends into a series of delicate yet intricate themes. Subtly driven by Max Lazich quietly insistent cymbal and kit work tracks have a habit of starting out in a particular groove but morph gracefully into other moods. The knotty Hopscotch wouldn't sound out of place in a Karl Jenkin's-period Soft Machine, while the wryly funksome undertow to Scooby Goes To School gives way to a bluesy prowl from guitarist Julien Sandiford with Lazich's accents providing an active and agile commentary throughout. Overall HR3 is tuneful and smooth. In jazz terms that kind of association can be curse as well as a blessing. However, superb dynamic control by Rowe, Sandiford’s incisive soloing, and the trio’s focussed interplay avoids any unwelcome snooziness in the late-night ambience pervading the album. © Sid Smith Wednesday, March 05, 2014 © http://sidsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/hr3-hr3.html

Journalist Frank Beacham had this to say, "Very rarely in this life does one get to see—up close and personal—an eruption of singular young talent that is both mesmerizing and thrilling. But last night, I had such a moment in a small New York City nightclub at the American musical debut of two 20-year-old Canadians—guitarist Julien Sandiford and drummer Max Lazich. Teamed with veteran American bass player, Hansford Rowe, this new trio is called HR3. What was barely contained on this small stage was a musical tour de force driven by three talented improvisational artists." Brilliantly played modern jazz funk by the great veteran bassist Hansford Rowe and two 20-year-old Canadians, guitarist Julien Sandiford and drummer Max Lazich. HR by A.O.O.F.C. Check out audio clips @ http://www.youtube.com/user/HR3Music [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 76.5 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 Barcelona - Hansford Rowe 4:24
2 Hopscotch - Julien Sandiford 3:41
3 Solomon - Julien Sandiford 5:12
4 Scooby Goes To School - Julien Sandiford 5:08
5 Be With You - Hansford Rowe 7:13
6 Voix Anciennes -Julien Sandiford 3:48
7 Find You - Hansford Rowe 4:55

BAND

Julien Sandiford - Guitar
Hansford Rowe - Bass
Max Lazich - Drums

BIO

“A wounded road warrior meets two young bucks. Together they confront the beast”. You can’t create without destroying – that doesn’t mean scorched earth is HR3’s method. They kill you softly. They take you under slowly giving you time to visit musical subtleties along the way that require a moment. Bassist Hansford Rowe has scorched with quite a variety of characters along the rocky road; guitarists for example - Allan Holdsworth, Biréli Lagrène, Mike Oldfield, David Fiuczynski, Mick Taylor, John Martyn, micro-tonal maestro Jon Catler, David Torn, Jordi Torrens; or drummers - Gary Husband, Pierre Moerlen (Gong). It has all cleared a path to the fountains of creative youth that are two twenty year old sages named Max and Julien. It couldn’t be predicted but you know it is right. Just like their music. Critics have begun talking about Julien’s playing with reference to some major jazz icons but that’s what they do… Julien sounds like Julien. And Max is just Max. No need to compare him to his idols Colaiuta or Tony Williams… Journalist Frank Beacham had this to say, "Very rarely in this life does one get to see—up close and personal—an eruption of singular young talent that is both mesmerizing and thrilling. But last night, I had such a moment in a small New York City nightclub at the American musical debut of two 20-year-old Canadians—guitarist Julien Sandiford and drummer Max Lazich. Teamed with veteran American bass player, Hansford Rowe, this new trio is called HR3. What was barely contained on this small stage was a musical tour de force driven by three talented improvisational artists." “A jazz power trio that will singe your soul; beauty at the edge of order”. © https://www.facebook.com/HR3music/info