· LANCE LOPEZ - Simplify Your Vision (GYR019) ·

::T R A C K S::

01. day of dreams
02. move
03. simplify your vision
04. shake joint
05. stones in my passway
06. 2 cigarettes
07. tricktafied
08. skank
09. stars


FORMAT: Audio CD / 4 Panel Wallet
GYR019 - $14.99

"Simplify Your Vision", the mega-awesome third studio disc from young, gifted blues/rock axeslinger Lance Lopez of Dallas, Texas, features 9 killer trax (60 minutes) of outstanding, powerful, intense, bad-ass, funky, bluesy, retro-70's Hendrixy heavy guitar power trio riffage of the highest order. "Simplify Your Vision" is an amazing blues/rock/funk explosion with mind-blowing heavy guitar riffage & solos that soar above the stratosphere. There is a new guitar hero in town and his name is Lance Lopez.

On "Simplify Your Vision" (his second disc for GROOVEYARD RECORDS, an indie label dedicated to outstanding TOTAL GUITAR music), Lance Lopez digs deep and produces an amazing set of awesome powerful bluesy heavy guitar riffage that is all his own and easily hits classic status. Lance Lopez is a true heavy guitar hero and riffmaster supreme. He also has an amazing powerful soulful voice that is the perfect match for his tough, bad-ass heavy guitar riffage. His style and intensity is definitely something that has been lacking in mainstream blues/rock music since the eighties when S.R.V. showed us what it was all about. The "Simplify Your Vision" disc is by far L.L.'s finest hour and ultimate heavy guitar musical statement to date. "Simplify Your Vision" is a super-sonic way-kool brain-damaging riff monster supreme and excellent follow-up to the killer "Wall Of Soul" disc.

Lance Lopez nailed down the "Simply Your Vision" disc during the summer of 2005 and called upon some of the best/heaviest session players from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in the form of Wes Stephenson on bass guitar and Jamil Byrom on drums to round out the classic power trio groove machine and the results are amazing. Both Wes & Jamil are heavy-weight players in their own rite who kick serious ass as a powerhouse rhythm section for brother L.L. to lay down his killer heavy riffage on, bad-ass old-school retro-70's power trio style!!! In producing the "Simplify Your Vision" disc, Lance Lopez went for a stripped-down, raw to the bone, live in the studio REAL heavy guitar power trio vibe, hence the apt "title" of the disc. From the thunderous grooves of "Day Of Dreams" to the heavy-duty funk/rock of "Shake Joint" to the beautifully melodic slow-blues heavy guitar magic of "2 Cigarettes" to the tour-de-force title track, this is some of Lance's most spirited and mature work to date. Another highlight is the remake of the Robert Johnson delta-blues classic "Stones In My Passway" in which brother Lance and his awesome sidemen go on an incredible live in the studio 8 minute blues/rock power trio marathon heavy guitar journey. There is something for everybody on this amazingly impressive stellar heavy guitar disc.

"Simplify Your Vision" is a mega-awesome bluesy heavy guitar monster that is HIGHLY recommended to fans of JIMI HENDRIX (long live the musical spirit of JIMI), FRANK MARINO, ROBIN TROWER, ERIC GALES, KING'S X, S.R.V., DOYLE BRAMHALL, EDDIE HAZEL, LENNY KRAVITZ (imagine Lenny Kravitz meets Hendrix!!!), STEVIE SALAS, RICHIE KOTZEN, JOE BONAMASSA, INDIGENOUS, SKY HIGH & CLAS YNGSTROM, KAMCHATKA and just about any other killer get-down rippin' blues/rock axeslingers you have ever heard. Fans of the killer "Wall of Soul" disc will freak out over the mega-awesome "Simplify Your Vision" disc. Lance Lopez is the "real" deal and he's definitely right up there with the best of them. No blues/rock heavy guitar c.d. collection is complete without this phat, phunky power trio riff monster.

Combining a kool youthful funky image with musical skills that are unparalleled in the genre, Lance has played guitar with Buddy Miles & Lucky Peterson, gigging regularly in and out of Texas with his trio. He has also done several tours of Europe, opening for such notables as B.B. King and Steve Vai. Lance Lopez has built up a solid reputation as one of the up and coming heavy guitar stars on the scene.

The "Simplify Your Vision" disc is the perfect platform for this rising young guitar star to step upon and reach the wider recognition and credit that he truly deserves. Never has there been a better time to take a “bluesadelic funk rock for the soul” musical trip with brother Lance Lopez on the amazing "Simplify Your Vision" disc, a classic intense powerful modern-day cosmic heavy guitar masterpiece.


MP3 Sample Clips

01. day of dreams
02. move
03. simplify your vision
04. shake joint
05. stones in my passway
06. 2 cigarettes
07. tricktafied
08. skank
09. stars

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· SUPERSONIC BLUES MACHINE ·

 

· reviews ·

As the title of his latest release declares, it appears that Lance Lopez has taken his own advice and "simplified" his musical vision. The result is a stripped-down, high-performance, nitro-burning thrill ride - a tricked-out musical funny car that'll blow your head off and psychefunkadelicize your mind. This set's got it ALL: trad-to-rad Hendrixian tonalities, dreamy, melodic psychedelic soundscapes, emotive vocal shadings reminiscent of the late, great Curtis Mayfield, sledgehammer-heavy grooves, funky low-down wah-wah feels that'd make George Clinton jealous and jaw-dropping, turbo-charged lead chops are all on vivid display - seamlessly woven together to create a richly diverse sonic tapestry that is all at once devastating and sublime. This cat stands on the shoulders of giants... from an amalgam of his many influences and his own sense of style and identity, he has carefully crafted a singular musical vision, creating a dig that is totally his own - not an easy task in a heavy guitar scene dominated by imitators, clones, overblown hype and manufactured image. This guy came to play...and play he does. Without a doubt, "Simplify Your Vision" will be remembered as the release that firmly established Lance Lopez as a true heavyweight in the ongoing guitar wars. While each tune is a groovefest unto itself, one standout track is a retool of Robert Johnson's classic "Stones in my Passway" - a vicious groove that lays in hard and keeps turning up the heat until Lance cuts into an incredibly powerful machine gun-phrased solo that blows the lid completely off. This is some truly amazing fretwork, and the fact that this track was recorded live - no overdubs - underscores the true artistry on display here, and is a testimony to brother Lance and his more-than-capable bandmates. Fuckin' A! For all you guitar slingers out there who think you're ready to go head-to-head with the likes of Lance Lopez, you'd better take his advice and "Simplify Your Vision" - it's your one and only chance to cut and run. If you think you can cut heads with this cat, you're in way over your head...the last man standing ain't gonna be you. You're going down...hard. You've been warned...

JIMMY RYAN (TRUTH SQUAD) (3.06)


From out of nowhere comes another great find from planet Peacedogman: LANCE LOPEZ! This is the bluesy, funky guitar heavy rock that I had been craving, but thought was extinct. Think KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD minus all the BS songwriting aimed at FM rock radio airplay. Actually, the KWS equation isn't entirely accurate. I scratched my head at all the comparisons I was making as the disc spun. CLUTCH? LIVING COLOUR? HENDRIX? LED ZEP? JAMES BROWN? PRINCE? It's all in there, dude. "Day of Dreams" starts the disc out with an explosion of sound, as a fanfare of phased guitar/drum effects signal the beginning of what guarantees to be an enjoyable listening experience. It doesn't take long for that bluesy vibe to set in. LL's rhythm section is all pocket, supplying the perfect foot tappin' back beat for Mr. Lopez' six string heroics. Just listen to the title track, as the band wastes no time going for the jugular in the heaviest groove this side of Bonham. The front of your brain will be bruised from all the head-bobbin' goin' on. Lance's talent doesn’t solely lie on the fretboard, either. I'm certain many strippers have been wooed back to the Lopez abode by his deep, laid-back, soulful vocal delivery. Whenever these cats delve into a different style, it makes sense. Tracks "Move," "Shake Joint" and "Tricktafied" bring the funk in a major way, but every song still sounds like it's coming from the same group of guys. Not so easy to do, as I'm sure any musician can tell ya. If you're a fan of any of the artists mentioned, you should really give LL a shot. Put this one on, fire up the lava lamp as you enjoy your favorite alcoholic beverage and/or inhalant, and get ready to have your vision simplified!

peacedogman.com (2006)


Even though this third record from the Dallas guitar slinger is a couple years old it deserves a favorable mention because Lopez never fails to impress. He continues to grace our pages because he is one of the few that can pull off a funky riff, Hendrix groove and bad-ass attitude without being gimmicky. The singer/guitarist breaks no new ground here but continues a confident streak through nine power guitar gems. Backed by his rhythm section of bassist Wes Stephenson and drummer Jamil Byrom, Lopez picks up where he left off with his critically acclaimed Wall of Soul disc. With Simplify Your Vision his focus takes him from the James-Brown-inspired "Shake Joint" to the Robert Johnson Delta-blues classic "Stones In My Passway." He stretches out to seven-minutes with searing leads and a chugging riff in "Shank" and goes for broke with the 15-minute prog-metal-blues jam "Stars" that is more psychedelic than anything the player has put together to date. A true Prince meets Hendrix marathon.

As a singer Lopez is no slouch. He handles the KC and the Sunshine Band-vibe in "Move" and the Dan Reed funk of "Day of Dream" as if the mic was the first thing he picked up. But we all know it’s the guitar that trademarks Lopez as a master craftsman and highly profiled showman. He wields its six-sting majesty with the cutting precision of medieval warrior as he cut and thrashes his way through thunderous power riffing yet can switch from the Robert Cray-sound of "2 Cigarettes" to the Prince posturing of "Tricktafied." Whether it’s funk, jazz or R&B, Lopez is able to dance between all and still keep his own signature sound separate and loaded with inspiration. The production here is raw and simple allowing for the pure and very real emotion to crack through the case. Passion and fire breathe excitement into the mix and make for a landmark recording.

Todd K. Smith (The Cutting Edge)



 


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