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Eric Roberts' Debut CD 'In a Silent Place' Released by Burnside Distribution

August 15, 2007 10:07 AM Eastern Time

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo.--(EON:Enhanced Online News)--Classical and jazz guitarist and bassist Eric Roberts' debut album, "In a Silent Place" (MusicMagic Productions, 2006), has been released by Burnside Distribution of Portland, Oregon, making the CD available at major distributors such as Barnes & Noble, Borders Books & Music, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and others. The CD has won many awards, and just recently, the track “Snow” won first prize in the “acoustic open genre” category of the International Acoustic Music Awards. This thirteen-track collection offers its listeners a unique sound that Roberts himself describes as "jazzy, non-commercial New Age."

“Eric Roberts plays guitar with a sincerity and emotive technique that rivals the finest players we’ve heard.”

A guitarist since the age of 13, Roberts has traveled far—from Connecticut and New York to a small apartment in Geneva, Switzerland, and finally to Denver, Colorado—to develop the unique global sound mixed with tremendous technical precision that permeates "In a Silent Place." Counting among his personal influences Andres Segovia, Paul Winter, David Darling and Brazilian Bossa Nova music, Roberts, a self-proclaimed troubadour, writes music with a global goal of healing the soul and reaching out to people's hearts to spread peace and love.

"In a Silent Place"

Eric Roberts' solo debut is 13 instrumental tracks of pure escape music. Warm, reflective solo and ensemble passages are blended with subtle jazz elements for music that gently flows like a cool Colorado stream. Joining Roberts on several selections are avant-garde cellist David Darling (formerly of the Grammy-winning Paul Winter Consort and a recording artist on the ECM, Hearts of Space and Relaxation labels), Robert Weinstein on guitar and Ed Contreras on percussion. The music ranges from lyrical and melodic instrumentals to spontaneous collaborative and solo improvisations. There are minimalistic tone poems, moody soundscapes, lighthearted and breezy romps, and thought-provoking aural explorations...enough diversity to please even the most discerning guitar fan; but, amazingly, the entire CD hangs together well, with one piece smoothly flowing to the next, from first note to last. The title track, “In a Silent Place,” and “Cella’s Song” gently meander from one’s speakers like autumn breezes through Colorado’s golden aspen trees. Carrying more than a hint of jazz, “Journey Through Time” and “Remembering You” would fit snugly into any ECM-phile’s music library. The series “Reflections I-II-III” are slightly more melodic than ambient tone poems, but their sparseness reveals the suppleness of Roberts’ craft. Altogether, this is a graceful set punctuated by Darling’s deliciously moody cello musings, Weinstein’s mellow guitar phrasings, and the perky - but never overpowering - percussion of Contreras. Virtuosity and variety pushes IN A SILENT PLACE in front of other “chill out” offerings; it’s a rewarding listen.