"Magnificent"
“Magnificent” written by Nicolas Meier (SUISA)
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Mixed at MGP Studios by Nicolas Meier
Mastered at Early Doors Studios by Marco Meniconi
Design by Nicolas Meier
Paintings by Songul Yilmaz-Meier
Produced by Nicolas Meier
All compositions © & â„— 2021, N. Meier (SUISA)
Unauthorised duplications prohibited by law​
“It’s heartfelt, personal and often vivacious music..” John Fordham, The Guardian
Leading guitarist Nicolas Meier released his album Magnificent with the Nicolas Meier World Group in 2022. It features the stellar line-up of percussionist Demi Garcia Sabat, violinist Richard Jones and Kevin Glasgow on electric bass. “Over the past few years I have been excited to play jazz with all the world influences. Having full percussion with flamenco, Balkanic, Turkish, North African and South American sounds, mixed with our western grooves and improvisation, has been very fulfilling,” explains Meier. “The violin adds such a perfect colour to all these world music sounds and is also a little reminiscent of Stephan Grappelli. Kevin Glasgow on bass keeps us altogether with his modern touch... Demi, Kevin and Richard allow me to wander around with my guitars, from acoustic/effect sounding guitar, fretted nylon, fretless nylon (quarter tones), 12 string strumming guitar and Glissentar.”
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The cover artwork for many of Meier’s releases are paintings by his wife and muse, Songul. The painting featured on Magnificent is the view from the family chalet in Morgins. “It has been a very difficult time for many and for us too because of the pandemic, so I when I look at this painting I like to be reminded that we live in a beautiful world.”
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Nicolas Meier is one of the world’s most original guitarists having developed his own unique sound that fuses elements of world music (particularly Turkish, Eastern and Middle Eastern music, Flamenco and Tango) with jazz rhythms and improvisation. The Swiss, UK-based, guitarist founded his own record label, MGP Records, in 2009. He has produced 27 albums, including Magnificent, in various formats – as a solo artist, a duo with his long-time collaborator, fellow guitarist, Pete Oxley and with The Nicolas Meier Group, the Nicolas Meier Trio – Eclectica!, the Nicolas Meier World Group and Seven7, his heavy metal band. Steve Vai's Favored Nations Records released Meier’s critically acclaimed solo album, Infinity, in 2017. The album was recorded in LA and featured Jimmy Haslip on bass and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. Meier released two new albums on MGP Records in 2019 – The Alluring Ascent with Pete Oxley and Peaceful with the Nicolas Meier World Group, which was supported with a 50-date tour. In 2020 Meier released a live World Group album, Flying Spirits (by the Meier Budjana Group featuring Jimmy Haslip), Stories (a solo guitar album) and Escapades (a metal album by Meier’s My Dark Side!). Meier was a member of The Jeff Beck Group on their last two world tours between 2013-2015.
Nicolas Meier World Group
Featuring
Richard Jones - violin
Kevin Glasgow - bass
Demi Garcia Sabat - percussion
​Nicolas Meier - fretted and fretless nylon string,
steel string, 12 string guitars & glissentar​​
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Download are £12 or more
"Magnificent"MGPCD25, 3 CDs package is £20
and includes the album "Magnificent" CD1
Solo album "Stories" CD2
and the Nicolas Meier World Group in concert "LIVE" CD3
Magnificent reviews and quotes
“All Splendid, beguiling and perhaps even yes, Magnificent!”
Andy Robson
Jazzwise Magazine 4/5*
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“Meier’s scintillating playing on assorted fretted and fretless guitars is sometimes reminiscent of Metheny or McLaughlin but with a highly melodic, pan-Mediterranean eclecticism of his own...”
Jim Gilchrist (Scotsman4/5*)
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*****RINGER OF THE WEEK****
“…and it might be his most impressive yet.”
George W. Harris
“…This set is a perfect…”
Guitarist 8/10*
“… very sophisticated musical journey… careful arrangements… extraordinary compositions. “
Marcin Puławski
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“ Nicolas Meier is one of the most virtuoso artists on the acoustic guitar”
"With 'Magnificent' Nicolas Meier has definitely once again created a masterpiece of acoustic guitar music that fans of this genre should not miss."
Roland Leicht
“The three albums complement each other nicely, and there is plenty of variety (and superb music) to please the listener. It’s jazz at the intersection of gypsy, flamenco, rock and the Middle East, and it works really well.”
George Cole
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“This collection often suggests a wellspring of ideas and experiences in Nicolas Meier’s head and fingers that had been waiting for an opportunity to burst out.”
John Fordham.
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“Stunningly opulent album.”
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“Always solid and occasionally breathtaking, this is a production fans of instrumental jazz and world music really should take the time to inspect, as it is, indeed, magnificent.”
Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, 6/6*
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“Meier perfectly conveys the melodic flexibility and rhythmic variety characteristic of Turkish music, and the virtuosity of the guitarist gives his compositions an additional brilliance.“
Leonid
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"Le résultat est impressionnant."
Georg Modestin, Jazz'n more
“Nicolas Meier is a remarkable, wide-ranging guitar virtuoso. I can confidently recommend his gigantic music album to lovers of guitar ar.t”
Varga Bendegúz
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"... Meier is not only one of the best and most unique guitar players around (ask Jeff Beck who hired him), but perhaps more importantly an incredible composer, who is able to weave a completely natural amalgam of Jazz and World music, which is incorporating influences from European and Middle Eastern Cultures in a most inimitable way."
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"... he also plays brilliantly, both on acoustic and electric guitars, in perfect harmony with his group or as a soloist. He is one of the most melodic guitarists, shunning needles guitar pyrotechnics but putting his soul into the strings entirely."
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" Overall, this is a superb 3CD set that offers incredibly beautiful music, which is heaven on earth for the Jazz-World Fusion enthusiasts. Brilliant melodies and excellent playing from start to finish make this an irresistible package. Enjoy!"
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"Virtuoso guitarist Nicolas Meier is treating guitar lovers to a triple album of superb music. Nicolas Meier is an outstanding musician and composer. His music incorporates multiple influences, bringing together jazz fusion, world music and other sounds."
Angel Romero, www.progressiverockcentral.com
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"The end result is polished and extremely impressive in several ways – most notably the manner in which Meier mimics the timbres of different instruments with his guitar and glissentar (electric guitar/oud hybrid). Richard Jones’ violin tone, use of extended techniques and jazz language is sophisticated; Demi García Sabat’s percussion is dynamic and sensitive, and Kevin Glasgow’s bass playing follows and complements the melodies impeccably."
"It’s certainly interesting to hear the ways in which Meier incorporates elements of different traditions into his music... flitting from flamenco to bossa to French musette; nevertheless woven together with some masterful playing."
Tom Newell, www.songlines.co.uk
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The fine interactions between the rich guitar sound (Godin glissentar, fretless, 12-string), violin and oriental rhythms form a unique and spatial experience. A discovery!
Bernard Lefèvre, www.jazzhalo.be
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This whole impressive project is an opportunity to let your mind wander as you are treated to a variety of interesting time signatures, melodic choices, and interpretations. It is a veritable bouquet of musical flowers, each different and exquisite in its own right.
Raoul Amador bassmusicianmagazine.com
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"Magnificient" played on
Swiss Jazz Radio
WORT-FM
Pascal Dorban, Radio ARA, Luxembourg
Helen Mayhew, Jazz FM’s True Brit
Chris Philips, Jazz FM’s The Blueprint
Sarah Ward, Jazz FM’s The Sarah Ward Collection
Jay Phelps, Jazz FM’s Somethin’ Else
Radio Bremen, Bremen Zwei
Radio Fribourg
WNMC
Jazz from Gallery 41
Vltava.rozhlas.cz
etc....