Continental Shift

A new journey with Slava Grigoryan & Al Slavik

Continental Shift resonates with a complex and assured touch of seasoned professionals, avoiding the temptation to overwhelm the listener. All tracks have been written by Al Slavik with the exception of the title track "Continental Shift", a composition by Grigoryan, and the Moorish flavoured opener "Bedouin Breakfast" which was written by both Al and Slava.

Both artists live for their art. Slava emigrated to Australia from Kazakhstan and has cut a swathe through the classical music world ever since. He signed his first recording contract at the age of 19 with Sony Music Entertainment Australia. His international performance career is peerless.

Singer, Songwriter, Musician and Producer, Al Slavik also hails from Europe. The Austrian bass virtuoso had huge success in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with his band Bass by Al. He became a sought-after session and touring performer in the competitive London music scene. His first collaboration with Slava began in 1996. The pair have since toured America, Japan, Australia and Europe.

Continental Shift presents a chemistry and technical virtuosity that is enticing. The intimate musical bond between these outstanding musicians is apparent in both the duo tracks as well as the more layered instrumentals and songs. Guest musicians include legendary UK drummer Phil Gould from Level 42.

Credits

Slava Grigoryan - guitars
Al Slavik - bass, vocals, chapman stick, percussion & programming
Phil Gould - drums (tracks 3,4 & 6)
Matthias Jakisic - strings & string arrangements (tracks 6 & 9)
Luke Howard -keyboards (tracks 6,7, 10 & 11)
Reuben Zylberszpic - flugelhorn (track 11)

"The best music in the world – the kind that touches places in us we don’t even know we had – is genreless. Ask anyone. The only problem is, most of this timeless and truly unique music usually comes from artists that have already honed their skills in a very specific genre, and thus is often only appreciated by established fans of the artist. That’s why I want to use this space to stress that Continental Shift, the latest work of Slava Grigoryan with collaborator Al Slavik, is a triumph of unrestricted musical inspiration, potentially a lot wider in appeal than Slava’s distinguished back catalogue." - Jesse Shrock – Beat Magazine April 2005

"Continental Shift is a seamless chain of original compositions that are played with winsome delicacy and panache." - Anne Lim – The Australian - April 2005

Tracks

Bedouin Breakfast
Goodbye Vienna
Summer Traffic
Time of My Life
Continental Shift
Another night in London
Cruising
Gusovitch
Unbearable
Guardian Angel
Lullaby (For Willibald)

Listen to 'Goodbye Vienna'