The Making of "OPEN FOR BUSINESS" (Video by Russell Cramer)
Pancho Molina & Elias Meister “Open for Business”
In early 2011 five musicians came together at the legendary Sear Sound Studios in New York City to record the album “Open for Business” as collaboration between Chilean drummer Pancho Molina and German guitarist Elias Meister. The two had been working together for years and this album is a reflection of their mutual inspiration and their musical connection as well as their respective backgrounds as musicians and characters. Being an eclectic mixture between Jazz, Rock, Fusion and Latin influences it features seven original compositions of the two bandleaders. Pancho Molina’s drumming is infused with the grooves of South America, raw energy and the depth of his sound. The compositions and playing of Elias Meister show many influences such as Jazz, Rock and Classical Music and great creativity and sensitivity towards the music and the musicians as well as an original sound and style of playing.
The band is remarkable. One of the most outstanding (and by the opinion of many experts underrated) saxophonists of our time George Garzone enriches the album with his powerful sound, adventurous improvisations and beautiful melodies. Renowned bassist Ben Street provides deep foundation to the grooves and exquisite interplay with drummer Molina. Multi-Instrumentalist and keyboard virtuoso Leo Genovese is equally impressive and creative no matter if he is playing Steinway Piano, Fender Rhodes, B-3 Hammond Organ or producing experimental sounds with an electric harpsichord and tribal instruments like the Japanese Taisho harp or the Surna flute.
While some tracks like the opening song “Ulises” and “The Time Traveler” pulsate with South American 6/8 rhythms and break out into energetic solos others like “Loose Blues” and “Bed-Stuy Facilities” sound more jazzy and display Blues elements. The Ballad “All my Life” is a point of rest and beauty in the album while the songs “Ticket to Timbuktu” and “Samurai Tales” are playing with unfamiliar tribal sounds and exhibit powerful grooves and solos. The artistry of the musicians, the well-crafted compositions, the quality of the studio and the engineering all work together to create a phenomenal sounding record.