16.05.09
Prema talks about In Fusion
Continued (Pg. 2) – Luis Perdomo came about because of a documentary by Branford Marsalis (another
musician I greatly admire). It featured the awesome Miguel Zenon whose band included none other than the
transcendent pianist Luis Perdomo. I approached him and without hesitation he said yes! I wanted so much for
Luis to play the Fender Rhodes (which is my most beloved keyboard sound) and was so pleased to find that he
was into the Rhodes in a big way too. The resulting recordings are teeming with iridescent harmonies and
cadences owing to Luis’s sublime skill, talent and his intuitive ability to glide into the ebb and flow of each song.
With the beginnings of a truly exceptional band I knew that this album would not only be of outstanding
musicianship but would engender a common purpose to make beautiful music from the soul.
I was now two down and looking for a bassist; someone who would slip into the void seamlessly. The bass
plays a pivotal role in my sound, being the bridge between the music’s body and its soul; generating synergy.
With that prerequisite finding the ideal musician seemed like a herculean task.
Of course, Damian Erskine had been there right there in front of my eyes all the
while (on Peter’s home page), but for some reason I resisted listening to his
music – but you see this always points to a matter of timing. I believe in timing
(well, I have to I’m a musician. LOL!). When I finally heard Damian’s playing I
was instantly blown away. Instinctively, I knew he was the one! He brought to
the music a sensitivity only found amongst the world’s most illustrious bassists.
Damian strikes a discerning balance between keeping the pulse and at the
same time melodically assisting in the telling of the tale. It is a marked gift which
he has turned into mastery with much practice, dedication and love for his art.
After all, he received his first ever bass lesson from none other than Jaco
Pastorius! Without question, Damian is the supreme ally to this music and its
musicians.
Finally, the band was taking shape; the musicians were stellar and now my
search was on for the guitarist. I have always wanted the wah-wah to figure
prominently in my music, adding its characteristic piquancy. However, finding the right tone, the right player and
the right energy was crucial in making that unique sound a natural part of the whole.