Roman Klun’s ‘Kingsway’ an Impressive Collection

August 15, 2008

Hurley resident Roman Klun is known internationally as a recording engineer, vis a vis his work with Sarah McLachlan and others. With this spectacular release, “Kingsway,” he now emerges as an artist.

Klun wrote, played, produced, recorded, mixed this CD and uses some of the best musicians on the planet including Steve Gadd and legendary locals Tony Levin, Pete Levin, Jerry Marotta, Gerry Leonard, Joey Eppard, Jesse Gress, Steven Bernstein and Erik Lawrence.

The expansive “Stairs On The Hill” features the to-die-for rhythm section of Levin/Klun, while “Whisper Kiss” holds some sinister synths and a hypnotic groove; here Klun clearly conveys emotion without overtly emoting. Klun climbs into “Red River” pushed along by Levin’s ominous quarter notes and Gerry Leonard’s lushly layered guitars.

Klun wears his influences on his sleeve here, from the pervading Peter Gabriel vibe, the bigger than life “Something You Said” which recalls Simple Minds; while “More Than This” has underlying U2 overtones. Steve Gadd’s ultimate groove pushes “New York Lady,” the pensive “Street Artists” is a highlight.

With “Kingsway,” Klun has crafted an elegant, impressive collection of songs and moments in time. Maybe that’s why they used to call them “records.”

Selected tracks from “Kingsway”

1. “Stairs On the Hill”
6. “Love Your Radio”
8. “Nigel”
9. “Between the Lines”
11. “Street Artists”

ONLINE:

* http://cdbaby.com/cd/rkromanklun
* http://www.romanklun.com/
* http://www.myspace.com/romanklun
* http://www.iTunes.com