Greetings dearest readers and music lovers worldwide let’s welcome Gene Pritsker, a US artist to our digital space. On 2nd August he released an album called “Gene and the Strings” The album showcases performances by renowned string artists such as Warren Nicholson and William Anderson of the CompCord String Quartet, violinists Machiko Ozawa and Lara St. John, and classical guitarists William Anderson. Additionally, two r&b/hip-hop songs with Gene on the mike and David Banks on vocals are included. The 16-track album exhibits Gene’s varied composing style throughout, but the addition of string instruments unifies the whole record. Let’s talk more about the album

The album’s title track is called “Iguana”. This song features Lara St. John on the violin. The song opens right away with Lara’s expert violin strums which are very bold, dynamic, and passionate. Every aspect of this song is a beautiful sound that surrounds you and feel so at peace enjoying the music. The song paves the way for the rest of the songs on the album

Next is the song “Ennui (Live)” On the song is William Anderson on classical guitar and the

CompCord String Quartet: comprised of Lynn Bechtold & Funda Cizmecioglu in violins,

Beth Holub on the viola and Molly Aronson on the cello. The song opens with gentle stringed instruments that are very delightful. The song gets dramatic as it goes on with urgent strings that are extremely pristine and flawless

“Neat suite: I. Fast” is the next song which is the first of a three-part symphony. The song has Lynn Bechtold, Funda Cizmecioglu, and Mark Zaki on violin. When the song starts, it’s cheerful and has a pep in its step and it’s light and airy. The song is so beautiful that you can’t wait to hear the two other parts

Next is “Neat Suite: II. Choral”. This song has Lynn Bechtold, Funda Cizmecioglu and Mark Zaki featured on it, the trio all play violin on this song. This second part of this three-parter starts with slow and drawn-out strings that find their feet within a matter of seconds. This song will take you on a magnificent vocal trip that you will never forget

Next comes the final part of the three-part “Neat Suite”. This song is called “Neat Suite: III. Finale. This song also features Lynn Bechtold, Funda Cizmecioglu, and Mark Zaki on violins. This song has a tearful gone to it and sounds like someone crying out for help and just makes you want to reach out and help said person. What a beautiful song this song is

Next is the song” Tango In V movement number 1 Vivaldi” which features Vivaldi and Machiko Ozawa on violin. The song opens with sharp and precise violin sounds which has a versatility to it. The song keeps you on your toes. Forever improving, forever changing and forever weaving a beautiful web of unforgettable musical sound

“Refugee Blues – 2nd movement (Live) “ is the title of the next song. The song features Mark Whale on violin and Warren Nicholson on classical guitar. This song has a musical structure, unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. The classical guitar notes were very refined and shined throughout this song. The fusion of stringed instruments was perfect and very well done and that applause was very well deserved

Next is a song called “ReAbsorbed (Live)”. On the song, we have Sabina Torosjan, Russell Kotcher on violins, Laura Sacks on viola, and Luis Mercado on cello. This instrumental is upbeat extremely grandiose and glacial. However, it is the intricacy of the instrumentation that creates this allure that is so undeniable

“Tango In V movement II”. This song features Vaughn Williams and Machiko Ozawa on violin. The beginning of the song is slow but it crescendos swiftly before picking up the tempo. The song has highs and lows and it feels like you’re giving your ears a very delightful taste and massage that you will never forget

Next is the song “Deal With The Devil (Live)”. In this song the

The Kahlo String Quartet made up of Manuela Romero Gonzalez, Audrey Lee on Violins, Freddy Contreras on viola, Francis Carr on Cello, special guest of the Kahlo Quartet. The opening of this song sounds like a car revving up its engine before the strings start. The song has a menacing and haunting tone and feel. The sound of the instruments oscillates between high-cutting sounds and low sounds. These tones are very crisp and flawless and will leave you speechless and wanting more

“Loss Occupied – Part 1 (for 5 violins)” is the song that follows. The song features Lynn Bechtold, Funda Cizmecioglu, Mark Zaki on violins. This two-prayer song opens with sorrowful sounds that get bolder more refined and oh-so majestical. This song is how I imagine angels sound like and it creates a very captivating performance for listeners to enjoy

“Loss Occupied – Part 2”. On this song are David Banks on voice, Gene Pritsker as the rapper, and  Lynn Bechtold, Funda Cizmecioglu, Mark Zaki on violins. The song opens with a very nice and sturdy rhythm. The song is about the fact that loss can consume. Left unchecked, the loss can occupy, fester, and surround you till it completely takes over (”there is a loss”). The rap is very exciting and the lyrics of the song are very advisory I applaud this talented group for sharing this song

The next song on the album is called “ Tango In V – movement III. This particular song features Verdi and Machiko Ozawa on violin. The song’s violin sounds are nuclear and very bold and bright. The sound makes you feel like you’re soaring high in the sky, unburdened and free of everything. This song is majestically and will take you on a wild musical ride

Next is a song called “In Memory of Joseph Pehrson” with Lynn Bechtold on violin and Gene Pritsker on electric guitar. The song is very lively right from the start. I must confess that going in, I was anxious about how classical instruments would go with an electric guitar sound. Let me alleviate your worries and tell you that although these instruments are features of different genres, they go together perfectly well and it is not cumbersome or too in your face like music or songs that sometimes sound like noise instead of music

The second to last song is titled “Losing All Hope”. This wonderful song features Gene Pritsker on rap Ara Harutyunyan, Mikhail Bugaev on violins, Mikhail Bugaev plays viola and Philip Everett Hansen on cello. This song opens with synth sounds, then there is this fusion of classical music with synth sounds. The rap performance is punchline after punchline talking about a soul and a generation losing hope because of everything going around them. The stringed solo was beautiful. The song is very unique. Honestly, I have never heard a rap song with classical instrumentation it is so avant-garde and it will take you on a trip to another plane of existence, traveling to realms you never knew existed

The last song on the album is “In Memory of Sean Satin” (for 2 electric guitars). In this song, Gene himself plates the guitar. Think you have heard all the best songs on this album? Well, think again because this song is in a league of its own. The guitar strum is lonely yet beautiful. You can tell through this emotive performance that this song was meant to say goodbye to someone. Although the guitar sound picks up it is still very delicate and passionate and the electric guitar sound speaks for itself and becomes a place holder till the song becomes mundane for a bit the electric guitar makes another appearance before the song ends this gorgeous piece brings us to the end of this album

I was very impressed with this album and I’m very certain that I’m now a fan of Gene(a Genehead if you will). His style of making music is just genius and his genre bending skill? I was just stunned at his artistry. Not only is Gene a genius, but he works very well with others, creating his own Justice League or Avengers and through these team-ups, the songs were incredible. His fusion skills are off the chart and he is so ahead of his time. Gene has created his own path and taking his fans and listeners along, he’s very talented, and will take a while for anyone to catch up with him

Stream the “Gene and the Strings” album on Spotify

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