Album Review of
Across The Evening

Written by Robert Silverstein
July 28, 2020 - 2:48pm EDT
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Splitting his time between both coasts these days, musical conceptualist Jon Durant has been quite a busy man these past couple years. First was the release of his greatest ambient album, the 2019 CD releases of Alternate Landscapes and then shortly thereafter, his foray into ethnic vocal prog-rock with Colin Edwin and Inna Kovtun on the Edwin Durant Kovtun album. Now in 2020, Jon strikes ambient prog-rock gold with Across The Evening. A joint sonic venture with Estonian guitar favorite Robert Jürjendal, the nine-track Across The Evening provides a new view into Jon’s expertise as both a composer as well as a collaborator willing to break sonic boundaries with like-minded musical contemporaries. In other words, electric guitar fans should expect the musically unexpected on Across The Evening. Pairing a range of ambient electronica with progressive musical moves, this album will please fans of both genres. Defining the scope of his collaboration with Robert Jürjendal, Jon explains that “We are both very interested in the textural possibilities with the guitar but approach it differently, both in terms of tools and techniques.” Truly a well-rounded sonic experience, Across The Evening is complete with both Robert and Jon, who are joined by a cast of musicians including Colin Edwin (fretless bass), Andi Pupato (percussion) and Aleksei Saks (trumpet). Ukrainian vocalist Inna Kovtun appears on the CD closer, which is also the only track to feature vocals. Another excellent international-flavored album in Jon Durant’s catalog of music magic, Across The Evening was recorded in the USA, England, and Switzerland, with the final two tracks recorded live in Estonia. Equally grounded in ambient, electronic music and progressive instrumental sounds, Across The Evening, is yet another groundbreaking musical masterpiece from the ever-expanding sonic vision of ambient guitarist and composer extraordinaire Jon Durant.