Gregor Hilden - Blue Hour

In more ways than one, colorful is an apt description for “Blue Hour”, the new CD by guitarist Gregor Hilden from Münster, Germany. In comparison to his previous six releases, this album not only presents a broader stylistic spectrum, but also comes in an attractive digi-pack. “Blue Hour” is steeped in different shades of the blues and of classic R&B with jazz influences, while also combining traditional soul with modern arrangements including pulsating loops and crunching backbeats. This is clear right from the opening track, Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton’s “Flying Home”, which is sent on a journey through time. Hilden’s new arrangement of the 40’s swing tune brings it firmly into the present. Bluesy, jazzy guitar phrasing dominates this driving, rhythm-based instrumental, which also features impressive solo work from Thomas Hufschmidt on Fender Rhodes and Christian Kappe on trumpet. Hilden’s tried and tested rhythm section Dirk Brand on drums and Sascha Oeing on bass underpin the whole thing with an infectious groove which really gets under the skin.