Besides Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy has probably been one of my biggest influences as well as reasons in the beginning why I wanted to play jazz and improvised music. Although Dolphy belongs to the jazz greats, in a way he is still such an underrated improviser and especially composer – having composed beautiful compositions throughout his fairly short career.
The idea of the project began by practicing at home alone during the many Covid lockdowns, rediscovering Dolphy’s music again. Furthermore, I was inspired to do this album by Miles Okazaki’s great solo guitar Monk project. We had a long talk this year via Skype and it was so great to hear how he approached Monk on solo guitar. In the same manner, I have tried to approach Dolphy, but in my own way. First I transcribed all the compositions by Dolphy and arranged them for solo guitar, trying out different techniques. In the end, I improvised on tunes – sometimes free improvisation and in other cases following the harmonic structure. I have played Dolphy's tunes throughout my musical career, improvising on them, but rarely in a solo setting; probably because of fear or respect. But now I was like, OK, let's do it: I told myself I should not be afraid to play single lines or be burdened by the great solo guitar musical heritage, which I immensely respect.
I recorded all the music at home with just one microphone in my living room which has beautiful acoustics. All the songs are first takes – therefore, sometimes there is a small glitch or noise in the background, such as my cat meowing in the background.
Hopefully you will enjoy this as much as I have during the creative and recording process!
Samo Salamon
1. Miss Movement 02:52
2. Serene 04:36
3. The Prophet 05:28
4. Miss Ann 03:00
5. Lady E 05:20
6. 17 West 02:30
7. April Fool 02:58
8. Something Sweet, Something Tender 05:00
9. Springtime 05:14
10. Hat and Beard 04:06
11. The Baron 04:12
12. Iron Man 02:32
13. South Street Exit 03:24
14. Inner Flight I 02:24
15. 245 03:54
16. Les 03:14
17. Lotsa Potsa 03:32
18. Straight Up and Down 04:44
19. Burning Spear 03:10
20. G.W. 04:02
21. Strength with Unity 03:42
22. Out to Lunch 03:06
23. Mandrake 03:34
24. Far Cry 02:14
25. In the Blues 03:02
26. Red Planet 03:50
27. Gazzelloni 02:56
28. Inner Flight II 03:02
Samo Šalamon – 6-string acoustic guitar, except mandoline on 14 (CD 1) and 12-string acoustic guitar on 6, 8, 11 (CD 1) and 5, 7 (CD 2)
All compositions by Eric Dolphy, solo guitar arrangements by Samo Salamon.
Recorded in April 2021 in Maribor.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Samo Salamon.
Cover and design by Kristijan Robič.
