{"title":"A1 Records","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"strat-o-sphere","title":"Strat-O-Sphere","description":"\u003cp\u003eThomas Blug, Ben Granfelt \u0026amp; Martin Engelien. The exceptional guitarists Thomas Blug and Ben Granfelt share a deep-rooted friendship that began at the Frankfurt Musikmesse in the late 1990s. Since then, they have frequently collaborated musically, with Thomas even featuring as a guest on Ben's solo album *Melodic Relief* (2012). In 2019, they were invited to tour as part of Martin Engelien's Go Music, which turned out to be a tremendous success. Now, this captivating collaboration is set to continue! The pinnacle of their creative synergy from this extraordinary experience is embodied in a joint album titled *Strat-O-Sphere*, which not only showcases their impressive musical prowess but also their ability to craft harmonious jam sessions and create outstanding songs. Ben Granfelt, with an illustrious history of world tours with bands like Wishbone Ash and the Leningrad Cowboys, and 20 solo albums to his name, expresses his joy in collaborating with Thomas Blug. On stage, the harmonies of their guitars blend into a captivating soundscape, driven by intense musical dialogues. Thomas Blug, known as the \"Stratking of Europe\" (a title awarded by Fender in 2004 as the best Stratocaster player in Europe), has also released numerous solo albums and skillfully juggles his role as the founder of Bluguitar-a company specializing in guitar amplifier design-with his artistic endeavors. Whether performing with his band Blug Plays Hendrix or his power trio Rockanarchie, Thomas always finds a chance to showcase his virtuoso guitar playing. Martin Engelien, the creative force behind the Go Music concerts, is a well-established name in the German music scene as a bassist, producer, and musician. His long-term collaborations with renowned artists such as Klaus Lage and Albert Mangelsdorff highlight his impressive versatility.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A1 Records","offers":[{"title":"Black CD","offer_id":50381967163723,"sku":"2222059","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50381967262027,"sku":"2222065","price":31.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_dc038ed3_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726239865"},{"product_id":"el-gordo-jazz-christmas","title":"El Gordo Jazz Christmas","description":"\u003cp\u003eJan Bierther is a renowned jazz guitarist who has established himself as a key figure in the jazz scene of North Rhine-Westphalia. Bierther is recognized as an \"outstanding guitarist.. who is indispensable in the scene\" (Virgin Jazz Face \/ Kurt Rade). The album features 17 tracks, offering a blend of traditional Christmas songs, original arrangements, and compositions. The holiday atmosphere is carried by smooth guitar sounds, creating a pleasant modern jazz vibe. Together with his fellow musicians Bo Heart, Martin Engelien, and Sebastian Bauer, Jan Bierther has crafted an album that stands out for its musical versatility. Traditional pieces like \"Greensleeves\" or \"Santa Baby\" evoke images of winter days, while tracks like \"Samba Klaus\" and \"El Gordo Mit'm 6er Im Lotto\" are fitting for more than just the holiday season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A1 Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50892985106763,"sku":"2231798","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_f20b8178_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1732624053"},{"product_id":"it-s-personal-uv","title":"It’s Personal","description":"\u003cp\u003eBen Granfelt's 21st solo album, \"It's Personal\", is a special release-especially in a time when not many artists still put out their albums on CD and vinyl, let alone as a double CD\/double LP combining a studio and a live album.\"I've been so inspired to play lately, and people have been asking for instrumental tracks for a long time… so here you go, a pure instrumental album.\" And \"It's Personal\" is exactly that. Ben plays the guitar purely for his own enjoyment, with no rules or restrictions-just a beautiful collection of musical statements. These are songs with melodies, riffs, and different sonic textures. And yes, of course, there are solos, but they remain part of the songs rather than an excuse for endless noodling. \"We recorded the basic tracks live in a big room together with Masa Maijanen (bass) and Jari Salminen (drums). Then I locked myself in my small studio and had the most wonderful time recording guitar tracks and creating sounds. I truly believe I have made something very special and personal, and I'm really proud of the result.\" The live CD\/LP, on the other hand, proves that Ben is also an outstanding singer and serves as further evidence of a band having the time of their lives. Recorded during the 2024 tour for the anniversary album \"Gratitude\"-Ben's tribute to Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, and Gary Moore-it highlights the fact that no Ben Granfelt concert is ever the same. There's plenty of jamming, and the songs often differ significantly from their studio versions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A1 Records","offers":[{"title":"2CD","offer_id":51448316592459,"sku":"R9588-7129","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2LP - Black","offer_id":51448316625227,"sku":"R9588-3545","price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/p_48aaecfb-4281-465a-8297-459845e801d4.jpg?v=1741968280"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/a1-records.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}