JD's 5th, and most extraordinary, recording brings yet another shift in his musical vision. While maintaining many of the "minimalist" elements of "Brief Light," the tuned percussion ostinatas, and multiple interlocking guitar parts, "Things Behind The Sun" offers a much jazzier element than any of his CDs since "Three if by Air."

"Things Behind The Sun" is his most guitaristic recording to date, offering glimpses of chordal work never before heard on JDs records. In many pieces the customary cloud guitars have been replaced with layered voicings across intricate chord progressions that bring to mind such diverse influences as Eberhard Weber and Allan Holdsworth.

While he is accompanied by his usual mates Tony Levin and Vinny Sabatino, this time around they're put in a different context: Vinny's playing straight ahead drum kit, with heavy reliance on colorful cymbal work, and Tony's exclusively playing his electric upright bass. On the haunting closing track, "They Left By The Water," JD's cloud textures are complimented by Joe Cunningham on the Bulgarian Frula (a recorder-like instrument). (see the video here!) Oh, and on the track "Labyrinth of the World," that's JD on guitar synth playing a Duduk sample.

The Video!

(Quicktime)

Some Images from the sessions:
At Tony's studio. Yoda was using the force to help the producer coax the best from Mr. Levin.
photo©2004 Tony Levin
JD blasting away at Mannakin Studios.