Rob Tardik has a natural knack for selecting album titles that are as inspiring as the songs these albums contain. Anyone who has followed his career over the last decade and a half can attest to that, with titles that include Limitless, Synergy, Moments, B.E.L.L.: Balance/Energy/Laughter/Love. Those aren't just catchy cliches and social media buzzwords he pulls randomly out of a thesaurus, but words with purpose and meaning that capture his infinitely positive thoughts reflecting the moments in which he lives.
Enter the award winning and highly revered guitarist's newest release, Perspective. The album was inspired by a tragic and near fatal event that befell his family and forever changed their lives, and most definitely their outlooks, and it’s a project that Tardik considers a love letter to his wife whose image lovingly adorns his guitar.
While the 11 instrumental gems on Perspective offer a variety of moods and tempos, from funky rhythmic to serene and gentle, the album is infused with passionately written and performed tracks, co-produced by guitar great, Steve Oliver. The duo shine brilliantly on Perspective's lead off single, “Keep Going”, an infectiously smooth and indescribably feel-good track with addictive guitar licks from point A to B. The cheery “I'm OK” is complemented by sleek trumpet notes of West coaster, Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, one of several top Canadian talents to guest on the album. Finding a track or even two, to call your favourite is a near-impossible proposition, given the superb and polished offerings on Perspective. Winnipegger, Walle Larsson, lends his stylish sax grooves on a guaranteed mood lifter titled, “Lift”, as well as “You Bring Me Joy”, which replicates the former's upbeat, positive mood. Not to miss out on some fun and funkified party style vibe, “Woke Up” combines Tardik's meticulous playing and vocal chorus with the beat perfection of California-based drummer, Tony Moore and Toronto's Carson Freeman on sax. The title is a reference and nod to how Tardik says he has evolved and has attained personal betterment and enlightenment. With such deep emotion and personal reflection throughout the album, naturally I would be highly interested in Perspective's title song, which closes out the album. Here Tardik is joined by pianist, Charles Di Raimondo and drummer, Jeff Salem on an up-tempo yet stripped down gentle and reflective piece of work that one could say sums up the meaning behind the album. As Tardik states, "Each song on this album tells a part of that story, both individually and as a whole. Through this music, I reaffirm my commitment to keep growing, improving and embracing every moment of this blessed life with endless gratitude".
Reviewed by Stu Berketo