FOUR EIGHTEEN is the brainchild of New York City bassist/vocalist/songwriter/producer John Montagna. The “Pleasant Tension” CD is John’s attempt to capture the spirit of the classic rock and jazz he grew up loving, while bringing the concept of the [+]FOUR EIGHTEEN is the brainchild of New York City bassist/vocalist/songwriter/producer John Montagna. The “Pleasant Tension” CD is John’s attempt to capture the spirit of the classic rock and jazz he grew up loving, while bringing the concept of the “rock band” into the future.
“I wanted to make an album with a rock band that felt like a classic jazz album,” he explains, “where you can really feel the chemistry between the musicians because they’re in the same room together, playing together as a group. I know it sounds like a simple concept, but these days it seems to be the exact opposite of how most people do it, for some reason.”
To that end, John, along with guitarist Joe Montagna, percussionist Alfredo Hidrovo and drummer Rich Zukor, entered the studio and recorded most of “Pleasant Tension” in roughly 48 hours! “We set up in a tiny rehearsal space in Harlem, turned on the machine, and went for it like it was a gig,” he says. “Two days later, the basic tracks were finished.”
A minimum of vocal overdubs, sweetening and mixing were required; But ironically, it was John’s hectic schedule as an in-demand bassist and vocalist prevented him from finishing the project as quickly as it started (he has toured with legendary producer/recording artist Alan Parsons since 2003, in addition to providing world-class groove maintenance for a host of artists in New York). Fortunately, effective time management prevailed, and now “Pleasant Tension” is making its way into the homes and ears of discriminating music fans worldwide!
If you still can’t get enough of John Montagna’s music, do check out his 1998 solo CD, “Enjoy Your Dessert” (also available right here on CDBaby). In the meantime, dive in and bring yourself to the point of “Pleasant Tension.” You’ll be glad you did!
Tom Walsh
Fall 2006
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