Les Fradkin presents: Mr. Midi Guitar
An instrumental album that connects past traditions with modern digital imagination.
Les Fradkin’s new album, Mr. Midi Guitar, looks at the idea of the guitar from a fresh angle. Rather than treating it as a fixed object, he approaches it as a tool that can shift shape. Les has long worked at the intersection of invention and musicality, and this release continues that path. The project blends Baroque and Classical influences with contemporary electronic composition, all performed through his Starr Labs Ztar. The result feels less like a genre exercise and more like a conversation across eras, with the guitar acting as the mediator.
The foundation of the album is the contrast between acoustic tradition and digital experimentation. Les leans into historical forms, then filters them through the precision and flexibility of MIDI performance. Instead of presenting classical ideas in a nostalgic way, he treats them as raw material that can be repurposed. Melodic lines hint at familiar structures from past centuries, while the electronic textures reshape their character. This combination creates a sense of continuity rather than conflict, suggesting that musical language evolves without losing its roots.
At its core, Mr. Midi Guitar highlights the adaptability of the guitar in an era marked by rapid technological shifts. Many artists are expanding the instrument into new territory, and Les positions himself within that movement. His use of the Ztar reframes the act of guitar performance. Notes are articulated with crisp accuracy, allowing for fast runs and intricate phrasing that might be difficult on traditional strings. Yet the spirit of guitar playing remains, especially in the rhythmic drive and phrasing that connect back to his earlier work.
The album functions as a bridge between past, present, and future. Classical phrasing meets electronic clarity, and the interplay suggests a wider conversation about how instruments can evolve. With this release, Les Fradkin reinforces his reputation as a forward thinker, building on tradition while exploring what lies beyond it. Mr. Midi Guitar stands as a clear reflection of that balance.
