H R H - R E V I E W S

Leonid Salvaje
The Adventures of Leonid and the Daydreamers Independent

Comments: Want an eclectic, ultra-unique instrumental guitar record for the upcoming summer? Well Leonid Salvaje is back with something special for your listening pleasure with The Adventures of Leonid and the Daydreamers.

Right from the start of “Overture: Forbidden” you wonder what the hell is going on as a ‘70s science fiction movie soundtrack seems to be playing in your CD changer. On that very same song, the tempo comes to a complete halt and the most precious of acoustic guitar pieces is inserted. A few minutes later on the same cut this maniac is playing a killer progressive metal guitar rhythm and lead piece.

The next cut appropriately titled “Hallucinations” is jazz-fusion rock guitar and is also heavily weighted towards the bass guitar and drums. Salvaje tears up a really funky guitar lead as well with more distortion then a ‘70s VHF channel.

Speaking of distortion, the middle of “Ghost Town” has hi-fidelity record player static as well as several types of music, ranging from Hawaiian to funk.

Next up is the speedy track “Run” which features some killer drumming from Mike Cullens as well as Leon’s rapid Fender Stratocaster guitar work.

Nicely played bass guitar as well as some wacky ‘70s Starsky and Hutch/Chips styled rhythms are featured on “Bi-Polar Sunshine-and the…,” as well as in the next track a continuation of the tile “Funky Bitch.” On the latter he is dueling between “Santana, Frampton and Clapton-esque” styles of rhythms and leads.

A short cut entitled “Jack the Riffer” is up next and the collaboration between Cullen’s drums and Leonid’s chops is heavenly.

“Romance and Requiem” is a delicate and emotional ballad that is well played.

“Samadhi” is a minute-long cut that sees the first emergence of the sitar as well as running water for ambience. This track’s title deals with states of the mind in both Hindu and the Buddhist religions.

Another Indian styled track is the six-minute “Ragd Bhari” which features ethnic elements as well as progressive metal overtones. This title seems to have roots in Indian sex stories, though the research on this is limited. Either way the track is majestic and thorough.

“Beauty is Innocence” is rich with feeling and slow to anger as well. This ballad is pretty and humanistic.

“Finale: Leonid’s Return” is a fast rock guitar cut that has a nice melody to it.

A weird track with delicate guitars plus sound effects is the thirteenth cut “Yggdrasil.” It is actually really lovely at times.

The last cut “Reprise:Free?” has pretty piano work

There are several four second songs and then two more mini-songs that are “hidden.”

The first one is another ethnic song from Asia and the second seemingly a jam session for the bass guitar.

All in all folks, this is a fun diverse CD that is certainly worthy of purchase for anyone that enjoys something different in the realm of instrumental guitar albums.

It was created in 2005, so it is a little weird that it came to our door after two years but better late then never for Mr. Leonid. It is rare that such a diverse CD is recorded by one man (plus percussion). Bravo Leon, bravo. Pick up a copy today.

Band Members:
Leonid: electric guitars, classical guitar, bass, keyboards, electric sitar, kalimba, little big stick, and various string arrangements/effects
Mad Mike Cullens: drums, percussion, gong

Track Listing:

1. Overture: Forbidden
2. Hallucinations
3. Ghost Town
4. Run
5. Bi-Polar Sunshine-and the…
6. Funky Bitch
7. Jack The Riffer
8. Romance and Requiem
9. Samadhi
10. Ragd Bhari
11. Beauty is Innocence
12. Finale: Leonid’s Return
13. Yggdrasil
14. Reprise:Free?

Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10