PRESS RELEASE by Pete Feenstra

ZED MITCHELL ANNOUNCES HIS 8th ALBUM “ROUTE 69.”

RELEASED FRIDAY 10 December 2020 ON Z RECORDS / distribution TimeZone

A 10 track Vinyl will be released in January 2021, with 2 additional download tracks.

PRODUCED & MIXED BY ZED MITCHELL, it was recorded at his Funk Studios in Berlin.

You can already pre-order the CD by e-mailat: zed.mitchell@gmx.de .

German band leader, singer-songwriter, 5-octave vocalist, session guitarist and composer Zed Mitchell announces a new album ‘Route 69’. It is his 8th solo album in the last 13 years, in a 50-year career spanning 21 albums in all.

“Zed Mitchell illuminates the blues from different perspectives.” Rock Times Recorded over the last 12 months, ‘‘Route 69’ features a dozen tracks full of his sumptuous guitar tone, autobiographical tales and songs that drip with melodic nuance and a lifetime’s experience. He nimble bends, nuanced use of sustain and pristine tones have a zen like quality. They create a seamless flow at the heart of an album on which he always serves the song first.

“His mesmerising playing expresses the core of his heartfelt songs.” Get readytorock.com

one of Europe’s leading session guitarists, Mitchell has been compared to Mark Knopfler, Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, JJ Cale, and Chris Rea, but he has his own unique style rooted in the blues but with a broader musical vision that brings alive lyrical meaning.

As Zed himself states: “People often talk about my influences, but I prefer to draw on various styles to suit a particular song and ultimately work on my own style.”

Lyricist Pete Feenstra who contributed to 4 songs similarly sees Mitchell’s guitar playing as a catalyst for the songs themselves: “Zed says more in a note that many guitarists can achieve in a solo. He subconsciously taps into musical thoughts themes and moods, so the songs nearly write themselves.”

Regarded as one of the leading guitar players in Europe, Zed Mitchel began his career in Belgrade in 1970, where he established the Rock Guitar school. His 20-album recording career includes the million selling MSSO (Munich Symphonic Sound Orchestra), on which he was the featured acoustic and electric guitarist.

He worked as a session guitarist at the famed Arco Studios in Munich, working with Tina Turner, Phil Collins, Natalie Cole etc, and also with composer Elmer Bernstein on the film soundtrack album ‚Indiana Jones.’

He’s toured with BB King, Santana, Joe Cocker etc, worked with Gillan, Deep Purple and Focus and played guitar for Italian Euro pop star Eros Ramazotti, and German stars and producer Curt Cress, Udo Lindenberg and Leslie Mandoki.

But it’s as a solo artist that he found his own unique voice on a series of themed albums such as ‘Springtime In Paris’, ‘Autumn In Berlin’, ‘Winter In Amsterdam’ and ‘Summer In LA’.

He received his best reviews for his last album ‘WOW’, while ‘Route 69’ digs further into a spiritual connection between his guitar playing and the songs.

“His blues comes from deep in his soul. You can feel the depth of his playing in every tone, as his guitar buries deep into the track to extend lyrical ideas.” Getreadytorock.com

PRODUCTION CREDITS

All music & lyrics by Zed Mitchell

Except Lyrics by Pete Feenstra*

All guitars Zed Mitchell & Todor Manojlovic

Voices: Zed Mitchell (Lead vocal) & Todor Manojlovic(bv)

Drums: David Haynes

Keys on ‘The Girl That Broke Your Heart’: Sascha Kuhn

Sax on ‘Midnight Melody’: Max Schurakowski

Producer, programming and mixing: Zed Mitchell

Recorded in Zed Mitchell studio in Düsseldorf

Mastered by Michael Schwabe at Monoposto studio/Düsseldorf

Photography and cover design by Manfred Pollert.

TRACK BY TRACK

01. By Sundown You’ll Be Gone: (3.32) A lovely flowing groove with interwoven melodic slide-guitar that evokes the colourful lyrical imagery.

02. I Like To Drive (I’m Ready To Live): (3.31) This is a beautifully crafted funky groove with joie de vivre lyrical theme.

03. I’m Still Waiting (I See, I See): (4.30) Full of touch and tone on a lilting groove, anchored by a honey dripped bass, a layer of Hammond and topped by Mitchell’s ethereal guitar squalls and a sudden uplifting vocal attack.

04. The Girl That Broke Your Heart: (4.17) A yearning love song on which the contrasting guitar tones and short piano embellishment perfectly evokes the emotion of the song.

05. Freedom Trail: (5.11) Zed adds some unexpected wah-wah to tighten the focus and emphasize and expansive feel to an uplifting song full of optimism.

06. From My Dreams: (4.14) A mediate piece with a poppy feel that delves in the subconscious.

07: Midnite Melody: (5.01) A beautifully crafted, brush stroked shuffle-led number, full gently whispered vocals and aching guitar tone.

08. Is This Life: (4.24) A lovely melody with a Chris Rea feel and an intricate solo full of resonant tone and an a cappella finish.

09. Blue In Your eyes: (4.22) A plaintive, reflective ballad with a weepy guitar sound matched by Mitchell’s intuitive phrasing.

10: Life will Always Find You: (4.17) A change in pace and style on a dual harmony guitar- led piece over a delicious funky groove.

11: I Don’t Know: (4.02) A wistful piece on which the guitar initially taps into the narrator’s tale, voiced over a booming chorus and an exhilarating whammy tinged solo

12: Fake: (4.27) Nicely rounds off a delightfully album with a heartfelt search for the kind of truth to be found in all 12 tracks here, from a guitarist who plays deep within.

DISCOGRAPHY

WOW (2018)

Winter In Amsterdam (2017)

Zed Mitchell band – Live (2015)

Autumn In Berlin (2013)

Game Is On (2011)

Summer In LA (2010)

Springtime In Paris (2007)

CONTACT: All further info: www.zedmitchell.com