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Arek Religa - Winner of "Emergenza Music Festival" - SEMIFINAL n° 2
Arek Religa - "Into the future" - Finalist in 9th Annual Great American Song Contest 2007 in Instrumental category
Bio
Arek Religa came to America from Poland in the year 2000. He started playing guitar at the age of 16. His musical talent soon transformed him into recognized talent and he was playing on major Polish stages in short order. Religa played with many well-known musicians and bands over the years before arriving on US soil. One of the most memorable performances for Arek was in 1999 when he played the International Film Music Festival in Poznan, Poland with The Robert Janson Band, right next to world famous musicians such as Chuck Mangione, Blues Brothers, Maurice Jarre, Michael Kamen, and others. After the year 2000, he found his talent of composing and arranging.
Review
Jason Scales - Illinois Entertainer
In Memory Of The Greatests - a 13 track instrumental opus from composer Arek Religa - is both a tribute to the gods of flashy arena shredding and singular guitar exposition that is impressive in its range and depth. Religa performs lengthy lead guitar gymnastics that either directly emulate legendary guitarists (as on the Santana-inspired "Viva Carlos!") or attempt somewhat successfully to match up with the technical wizardry of the likes of Joe Satriani, especially on "Into The Future."...
Jason Scales - Illinois Entertainer
Review
Arek Religa
In memory of the Greatests
Review by Gary Hill www.musicstreetjournal.com
I've never heard of this guy before, but he's a great guitarist. He's also an excellent songwriter. Fans of Al Di Meola, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Carlos Santana and others would be well advised to pick this up. His playing is along the lines of guys of that ilk - yes, he's that good! Of course, he also plays a lot more than just guitar - he provides all the instrumentation on some of the tracks here and most on some of the others. Guitar, though, is his specialty and he deserves a place among the greats in that field. If I had one complaint here, it's the same as with a lot of instrumental music. Instrumental music by its very nature can have a tendency towards sameness and this disc, while fairly insulated, isn't completely immune to that. We could have used some vocals in one or two spots on the CD to shake things up a little. Still, that's the only real complaint here. All in all, this is a fine album from a man whose name should be spoken alongside all the guitar greats you already know...more
Review
"In memory of the Greatests" by Arek Religa
"Arek Religa was honored with the MuzikReviews.com Sonic Bids talent contest winner a few months ago. With his amazing guitar playing talents and his two-hand tapping technique video that leaves your mouth hanging open, made the choice obvious as we narrowed it down to the final three contestants.
In Memory Of The Greatests is Religa?s tribute the great guitar maestros of our time. Arek hails from Poland. Quite amazingly, he did not start playing the guitar until he was sixteen years old. Getting a late start in life did not seem to matter.
This recording is comprised of 13 tracks of instrumental rock, jazz-fusion, blues, and all of that mixed together with atmospheric orchestrated backgrounds created by keyboards to give it a symphonic prog rock feel at times. On scorchers like ?Viva Carlos?, the guitarist cuts loose and gives his best impression of the legendary rock-blues-world six-string hero Santana. That is the only track that is obviously dedicated to one particular artist, while the rest of the tracks are an intelligent mixture of influences and superb talent inspired by many years of studying the masters and perfecting a unique style.
In the end when the CD stops spinning, you are convinced that you have found a new guitar hero to bow to and acknowledge, yet another previously unrecognized force to be reckoned with in the vast world of indie music.
This guy can rock, he plays with taste and style, and a little bit of both for the perfect audio elixir that will have you mesmerized in no time flat. As you make your way through this instrumental treasure trove you discover how brilliant the artist is and how using influences from many genres and great guitar players through the ages allows for a most enjoyable and diversified listening experience. Do not let the tranquil cover of the CD put any expectations in your mind of what you are in for; this is an artist with a passionate flame burning inside. It comes flowing through the strings of his instrument one track after another.
I refer to one track on the CD however; I would prefer to look at it as a whole entity, a project that has a beginning and end with a storyline implicated by the title of each track. Songs without words can paint a canvas that leaves you to your own devices and imagination. Arek Religa perpetuates this very situation consistently throughout his work in all 13 tracks. The future is now for innovative independents like this; check out this amazing guitar work on In Memory Of The Greatests."
Copyright MuzikReviews.com Keith ?MuzikMan?Hannaleck-December 16, 2007
Review
"In memory of the Greatests" by Arek Religa
"From Polish-born composer/guitarist/keyboardist Arek Religa comes this thirteen track disc of original instrumentals, most of which are in a jazz/rock fusion vein, with classical, electronica, Latin, progressive rock and World music elements incorporated into the mix, without losing focus. Religa is joined by Tomasz Wywrot on sax and keyboards, Jerzy Kusiak on drums, bassist Pawel Pospieszalski, percussionist Jacek Berlin, and Konrad Stankiewicz on keyboards and rhythm guitar.
The symphonic ?Hope? provides the dramatic opening moments, slowly building to a cinematic climax. ?Beyond Horizon? gets into funk territory, with some imaginative guitar orchestrations. ?Viva Carlos? is a nod to Santana - check out Arek?s fiery wah-wah pedal work! ?Island of My Dreams? and ?Next Step to the End? both start in a pastoral mood, then kick it up a notch or two. ?On the Road? and ?And the Road Goes on? further show Religa?s versatility as a guitarist, dialing up just the right sound for the occasion. ?For All My Angels? toggles between distorted power chords and clean, echo-drenched lead lines under an almost robotic dance beat. ?By the Paradise? features a slide guitar reminiscent of George Harrison, as well as some fine sax playing. ?In Memory of the Greatests? closes with the haunting title track.
This is one CD to check out when you are in the mood for music that is at once adventurous and highly listenable."
Written By: Bill Coonley evolutionofmedia.com
Band members:
Arek Religa - composer,arranger, producer, guitars, keyboards , programming
Tomasz Wywrot - saxophone, keyboards
Jerzy Kusiak - drums, percussion
Pawel Pospieszalski - bass
Jacek Berlin -drums, percussion
Konrad Stankiewicz - keyboards, rhythm guitar
Mark Ortega - percussion
Achievements
Few of his many recent achievements are:
2005 "Dallas Songwriter Association Contest " - 3rd place in the Instrumental / TV /Instrumental /Film / Classical and Jazz Category with his tune "It's going to be better"
7th Annual Great American Song Contest - Finalist in the Instrumental Category with the tune "It's going to be better"
Song called "Hope" was used in a movie by J. Michael Seyfert "Rent a Rasta"click here
January 2007 - Song of the Year Contest, monthly finalist in the Instrumenta/Jazz/world Music Category
February 2007 - Song of the Year Contest, runner up in the Instrumenta/Jazz/world Music Category
March 2007 - Song of the Year Contest, winner in the Instrumenta/Jazz/world Music Category
April 2007 - Texas Music Project (Gutiar Solo Contest), winner in the Electrical Guitar Category
Two of Arek's songs: "It's going to be better" & "!Viva! Carlos" were released on compilation CD "Real musica" by "Black Rose Production"
"Beyond horizon" will be released on compilation CD "Guitars of Tomorrow vol.1" by K.T. Records.click here
Semifinalist for the Dallas Songwriters Association 2007 Song Contest in category: "Instrumental/TV/Film/Class/Jazz " with songs "Beyond horizon" & "Island of my dreams"
click here
Unisong International Songwriting Contest
11th Annual Blues HONORABLE MENTIONS, song "And the road goes on"
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Arek Religa was selected by JIMDUNLOP.COM as a BAND OF THE WEEK-12-31-2007.
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3rd Place DSA 2007 Winner Song Contest in category: "Instrumental/TV/Film/Class/Jazz " with song "Island of my dreams"
Honorable Mention DSA 2007 Winner Song Contest in category: "Instrumental/TV/Film/Class/Jazz " with song "Beyond horizon"
click here
Press Release
Arek Religa Releases Multifaceted Instrumental Indie Album In Memory Of The Greatests
Arek Religa Releases Multifaceted Instrumental Indie Album In Memory Of The Greatests
Music article written by Keith Hannaleck on Jan 14, 2008 - 08:47 PM
Arek Religa came to America from Poland in the year 2000...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago, Illinois-January 10, 2008- Arek Religa came to America from Poland in the year 2000. He started playing guitar at the age of 16. His musical talent soon transformed him into recognized talent and he was playing on major Polish stages in short order. Religa played with many well-known musicians and bands over the years before arriving on US soil...
READ MORE...
Article source: http://www.articlescorner.com/article.php?article=4226
More by Keith Hannaleck: http://www.articlescorner.com/user.php?user=33
News
Viva Carlos #38 Instrumental Rock Charts (all-time)
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It's going to be better #94 Instrumental Rock Charts (all-time)
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It's going to be better #1 Best Melody in Instrumental Rock, all-time
Into the future #6 Best Melody in Instrumental Rock, all-time
Beyond horizon #25 Best Melody in Instrumental Rock, all-time
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It's going to be better #1 Feel Good Track in Instrumental Rock, all-time
Into the future #2 Feel Good Track in Instrumental Rock, all-time
Beyond horizon #9 Feel Good Track in Instrumental Rock, all-time
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It's going to be better #7Best Guitars in Instrumental Rock, all-time
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Beyond horizon #15 Grooviest Rhythm in Instrumental Rock, all-time
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It's going to be better #24 Best Guitars overall, all-time
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