JONNY FRYER - Saudade
Saudade is the first solo record of guitarist and composer Jonathan Fryer. This collection of pieces were written and recorded in a short period of time during the summer of 2023 and draw on elements touched upon in previous collaborative releases (Tout & Calibos) delving deeper into esoteric, percussive and new age palettes; integrating elements of bossa nova, samba and jazz. The record reflects a transitional period, both personally and creatively and aims to provide one cohesive work whereby the individual pieces of music form to create one extended movement.
Contributions from fellow Trestle Records label mate and long time friend and collaborator Adam Coney (Ashwin & Above & Pavilion) are the only other musical additions which provide a beautiful second voice to tracks ‘Esterel’, ‘Roma’ (Parts I and II) and the jazz infused ‘Visions of Naima’ helping to elevate them further, with all other instruments played by Fryer, meaning this record is a stripped back affair where simplicity is key. The record’s ebbs and flows are hinted at by the addition of field recordings which punctuate the album and help provide a sense of place guiding the listener from beginning to end; from the lapping waves which permeate the title track ‘Saudade’ to the sound of children playing which close the record on ‘Roma (Parts I & II)’ which also features a crude electronic bossa nova beat of the type found on school keyboards of his youth. The approach to recording was always one of ‘what can we take away?’ As opposed to grandiose gestures of heaping on more instrumentation. Risking exposure, it’s a line that Fryer treads, with no gilding of the lily. We hear knocks on the guitar and hand movements on the strings, but this only helps add to the intimacy of the recordings, grounding the listener.
Fryer’s aim? To strive for simplicity, knowing full well that the beauty of simplicity is perhaps the hardest of all to achieve. Whether or not this record achieves what it set out to do; perhaps something Fryer himself would suggest it falls short of, it does perfectly reflect a moment caught in time and one that is beautifully crafted.
The use of the berimbau demonstrates Fryer’s continuing interest in drawing percussive elements to the front. Shorter segue tracks that link individual pieces together help to create a narrative that runs through the core of the record. It is clear that the intention was to record a ‘Record’ as opposed to individual set pieces, but we should stop short at calling it a concept album.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, which loosely applied in this context also means that it takes a lot of hard work to make something simple. It’s certainly something to aim for.
Jonny Fryer is a composer/guitarist releasing music via Trestle Records, a London based label specialising in instrumental music and home of the 'One Day Band' sessions.
Previous collaborations include working with fellow Trestle Records artist Adam Coney on their 2013 record Calibos as well as being a founding member of the group Tout whose latest album Fourth will be released on Trestle Records in late 2024.
