Jessy Mach - Way of Kamakura

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Jessy Mach’s “Way of Kamakura" is a cinematic journey through the adventures of a young man discovering an ancient power, awakening new abilities within himself. Jessy Mach combines skillful performances on his guitar with synths that paint mental imagery and carry me away into the world he’s created. The synthesis of melody, harmony and the different tones and textures in the music draws me into this story and transports me to another place and time.

As “Way of Kamakura" progresses, it lays out the journey of our main character from his initial phases to what he becomes as he gains power and ability. Each track is a filmic vignette of one part of the story, painted with guitar and synths in a way that excites me and keeps me wanting more. Each sketch is well drawn and full of life, combining Jessy Mach’s talents in a way that tells a story with ability.

Of course, one can’t mention Jessy Mach without mentioning his guitar skills. The way in which he plays is free and clean, showing off his chops and allowing him to express himself with all of the different tones and approaches to guitar playing. The end result is music that grabs hold of me and won’t let go, full of dynamism and expression, filling each track with a presence and sense of power that is deeply enjoyable.

The way in which synth sounds are used by Jessy Mach on “Way of Kamakura" is also superb, adding to the cinematic sensations within the music. Each different synth tone or timbre allows Jessy Mach to weave his story and fill it with atmosphere. The different soundscapes help to convey the imagery Jessy Mach seeks to share and his melodic writing allows the music to breathe even more, elucidating the themes and ideas he wants to explore on the album.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Matsuda’s Corner” starts with hushed, almost choral notes creating reverence while shadowy swells of synth tremble outward above the echoing beat. Panpipes wash with otherworldly grace as strings trace with filigreed poise. The colossal rhythm creates a hypnotic pulse as Jessy Mach’s guitar slices, velvet-like, with a meditative, warm feeling.

Panpipes exhale with contemplative tranquility as radiant notes create nervous delicacy. As the percussion drops away, elevated notes exude a pearly aura while the guitar rings with serene elegance and the panpipes add a breathy gentleness that wraps around me.

The subtly played guitar creates melancholy and relaxation simultaneously while the panpipes breathe out with eldritch mystery. The low end’s steady rocking balances with the guitar tracery as it hovers with a lucent feeling above the swirling notes before silence falls.

Bells ring as strummed strings move with crystalline notes to begin “Garden and Katas.” A shakuhachi-like synth carries a mystical melody that levitates above a densely heaving bass pulse while strings mingle to create soothing sensations.

The main melody calls out with majestic emotion while the undoubtedly titanic bass forces rumble. The interlocking strings have a koto-like feeling while the flute has an ethereal tenderness to it. The main melody calls out on the fluting notes while the intermingling strings add a heavenly, graceful quality.

Now the melody fades as bass snarls before Jessy Mach’s guitar echoes with burning strength. I find the guitar solo inspirational and heart-pounding, capturing all of the exertion and skill required to perform the time-honoured kata routines. As the fluting notes tremble, drama and perseverance permeate the musical atmosphere. Underneath, the drums fade as the track exhales into silence.

“The Thousand Cuts” opens as bubbling notes grow clear while the resonant kick drum begins to vibrate along with thick bass. An erhu cries out with a beautifully ghostly, mournful feeling before the leaping beat presses on.

Panpipes frolic with freedom and easygoing energy as bright chips of synth glitter like stars above. As the guitar slices through the music, it is funky and clean while the rhythm begins to groove hard. Arpeggios sprinkle the music with luminosity and the tumbling beat presses on.

As the guitar and the flute-like synth mingle, they explode with irrepressible liveliness while the low end locks into the pocket. Now the track is permeated by the erhu, which captures gentleness and a broken-hearted emotional tenor, gliding with timeless dynamism above the bopping beat as it moves in again.

Slap bass adds to the groove before the guitarist carries a solo that erupts with spinning joyfulness and irresistible, uplifting emotion as it rips through the music with intricate strength. As the jamming low end adds shape, the jazz-influenced panpipes vault with obvious joy and silence falls on the erhu.

Rapidly revolving synth cascades as the entire track erupts with ferocious bass growling to open “Black Talisman.” Strong synth notes tumble before a raging guitar rips into the music with a sword blade’s tearing energy.

The panpipes echo with minor-key mystery while heavily punching underpinnings shove the track forward. Jessy Mach’s guitar howls with mad strength, capturing sensations of terrible power being unleashed. The wildly intertwining synth explodes with coruscating energy as the stormy guitar slices underneath.

As the attacking rhythm fades, deeply undulating tones create a momentary rest before they too gain power. The guitar shreds through the music like an enchanted katana drawing glowing patterns in the air, wielded by a warrior imbued with strange powers.

The guitar is unstoppable as it weaves through the music, propelled by the terrifying low-end weight. Panpipes drift with a melancholy melodic pattern before the heaving underlayer charges again, slashed by the ripping guitar as it rushes forward to a conclusion.

“Way of Kamakura” starts with deadly bass and a koto creating classic Japanese sounds as it washes with delicate light. The erhu cries out with its ghostly, plaintive tones as the dominant low end charges. Heavy drums rebound as the shakuhachi drifts with graceful ease before Jessy Mach’s guitar carries a melody that mingles splendour and strength as it cries out while the underlayer subdivides.

The guitar and shakuhachi interlock as the koto flickers with smooth light. Jessy Mach’s guitar calls with haunting power while fluting notes add serenity as arpeggios briefly spin. As the guitar cascades, the foundation pushes forward while the intricate notes intertwine and the erhu adds its broken-hearted gentleness. The track brims over with a sense of majesty that captures my heart as the guitar carries it to an end.

Sounds hover with silky grace as blaring notes offer a fierce contrast to commence “Static and Silk.” The shakuhachi carries a melody that reverberates with beauty and meditative contemplation. The koto carries a tone that is tender and full of delicate sensations while the softly swinging underpinnings create a gentling motion.

The main melody lifts me on breezes that float across a venerable landscape. The track continues to move with active percussion and a koto that carries a melody wrapping around me with richness while the continually undulating background generates peaceful feelings. As the lead synth gleams with early morning light, the shakuhachi exhales with feelings of adventure and enchantment while the koto rings with a sense of completion and fades.

Conclusion

“Way of Kamakura" is a tale of excitement and adventure imbued with the freedom and youthful energy of the classic ’80s action movie. I enjoy the spirit and strength of Jessy Mach’s performance along with his ability to tell a story.