TRACK LIST:
1. IMPRINT (42:30)
2. ELEGANT ENIGMAS (12:05)
3. NOTTURNO O MATTUTINO (2:55)

Genre: post-minimalism/Improvisation

This CD reflects Biros on-going passion for the Fender Rhodes electric piano which was designed in the 40s by Harold Rhodes using airplane spare parts, and pioneered in the early 70s electric jazz-funk era by artists like Miles Davis (who used to throw it at his often shocked acoustic pianists saying 'play this!'), Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and even the acoustically 'pure' Keith Jarrett. The Rhodes has since been heard in numerous musical contexts (and in lots of lifts) including a recent revival by the club/drum'n bass scene.

Nevertheless, the Fender Rhodes has rarely been explored as a purely solo instrument, especially not in contemporary/experimental territories, far from any 70s nostalgia. Biros love for this instrument has led him to investigate its sonic qualities and reveal some of its hidden riches. Because of inherent imperfections and unevenness of pitch and timbre, each Fender Rhodes model has its own idiosyncrasies and peculiarities: a continuous source of surprises.

The CD opens with 'Imprint', a one-take Fender solo improvisation which was immediately overlayed with two other complementary tracks. A journey of sonic discovery. 'Elegant Enigmas' is a breathtaking duet with harpsichord virtuoso Jane Chapman where the two instruments chase each other towards a climactic unison. Finally, Biro's tribute to composer Nino Rota who was one of the first composers to use the Rhodes in film scores. The haunting theme from Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita', a reminiscence of Biro's own Roman childhood, ends this highly original and passionate CD.

Reviews:
'Eminently listenable (and mildly eccentric) tribute to the Fender Rhodes electric piano as Biro mixes his experimental and mainstream classical influences with relish and panache.' **** (Louise Gray -TOP)

'This CD is both a must for any Fender Rhodes lover and a lesson for all pianists and keyboard players who have used, and are using, this instrument. Finally, a highly individual and insightful proposition of the sonic qualities of Fender Rhodes piano! ... Biro's CD is revealing in that here we have a musician who is at last trying to explore the lyrical potentialities of this instrument not through another obvious pitch-based context (ie. harmony versus melody), but by proposing a sensitive quest for the instruments most evocative attribute, that is, the sound itself!' (21st Century Music Journal)

Credits:
Daniel Biro: Fender Rhodes electric piano
Jane Chapman: harpsichord (on Elegant Enigmas)
All music written and produced by Daniel Biro except 'Notturno o Mattutino' by Nino Rota.
Recorded at The Judge's Urbanautical Studio (London) during 1998-99