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STICK INNOVATOR DON SCHIFF RELEASES "PEERING OVER CLOUDS"
Wizard instrumentalist creates multidimensional progressive rock showcase on the NS/Stick

(Los Angeles, 18 July 2005) Don Schiff announces his latest recording effort, "Peering Over Clouds", a deep progressive instrumental journey performed with the exotic NS/Stick instrument from Stick Enterprises. Known for his compelling work with Lana Lane, Erik Norlander and Rocket Scientists, Schiff steps into the limelight as an emotional soloist, a sophisticated arranger and a truly evocative and original composer.

With his battery of cutting-edge performance techniques, Schiff takes the NS/Stick to places not even conceived of by the instrument's inventors. From slide leads to tapping rhythms to strummed chordal patterns, Schiff conjurs images of classic guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Steve Howe and David Gilmour yet still manages to inject the music with a forward thinking vision and unbridled enthusiasm. Schiff's love of all things musical is omnipresent on the album, and you can easily hear his jazz roots, his rock spirit, his R&B; grooviness, all bound by his truly progressive innovation.

"Peering Over Clouds" is a diverse collection of songs, taking its influences from a wide variety of sources. At times it's jazzy while at others it evokes more of a world beat vibe. There are forays into pop, funk and fusion. Lest anyone be tempted to say that this is just an excuse to put the NS/Stick through its paces, it must be emphasized that all of this is anchored by a unified musical vision. "Peering Over Clouds" is marketed as a progressive rock instrumental album, but don't go in expecting airy-fairy soundscapes or a prog-metal shredfest. This is progressive in the strictest definition of the word: boldly pushing back the known boundaries of a musical form.

Joining Schiff on "Peering on Clouds" is world percussionist Greg Ellis (Vas, Erik Norlander, The Matrix films) who brings his unique rhythmic colors to punctuate, drive and expand Schiff's compositions and arrangements. Schiff and Ellis have worked together for two decades, and the two have a deep understanding of rhythm and groove. Their combined talents form perhaps the ultimate rhythm section.

"Peering Over Clouds" is produced by Erik Norlander, the sonic craftsman behind the music of Lana Lane, Rocket Scientists and his own solo albums. Norlander produced the album especially for his Think Tank Media label, giving it the style and quality for which those releases are so renown. Cover art is by Polish surrealist, Jacek Yerka, who has provided the astounding paintings for the many albums of Lana Lane.

Fans of melody, fans of rhythm, fans of technique, of progressive and artistic music will delight in this adventurous new release from this instrumental master. There is a core musicality throughout that is uniquely Don Schiff. Those who have witnessed Schiff's astonishing live performances can immediately identify his signature sound. His impeccable phrasing and his pioneering use of innovative techniques have his name stamped all over them. The NS/Stick is Don's voice. It is the means by which he expresses himself, and the tale he tells is eloquent indeed. "Peering Over Clouds" is a real musical journey and one that is not to be missed!

http://www.thetank.com
http://www.donschiff.com

related sites:
Official Rocket Scientists web site
http://www.lanalane.com
http://www.eriknorlander.com

SEE ALSO: The albums of Don's band ROCKET SCIENTISTS.

Don also appears frequently on the solo albums of producer / keyboardist ERIK NORLANDER and symphonic rock diva LANA LANE.