Takeshi Nashimoto: Monologue

Takeshi Nishimoto, a guitarist and member of group I’m Not Your Gun, went to Berlin, where he now lives, and recorded Monologue in a church. Thoughtful, theatrical and moody, Nishimoto follows a long line of guitarists such as Adrian Legg and Mark Knopfler with pin-point plucks of the acoustic guitar and enough room between the notes to create warm, adventurous pieces. Whether it is the opening notes of “Morning 4am” or the faster tempo propelling “Rider”, Nishimoto delivers the goods time after time. A “Voice” trilogy makes up some of the more magical interludes, but a song such as “Miles and Thousands” stands on its own despite being only two precious minutes. There are two lengthier songs here beginning with the Latin-fuelled “Interweave” which has great flamenco flourishes. Just as pretty however is the peaceful and soothing “New Morning”. And the same can definitely be said for the reflective “Coming Home”.