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Ian Rushton is UK born New Zealander, a self taught pianist and guitarist, specialising in a variety of easy listening melodic and rock instrumentals writer and co-writer of numerous contemporary pop & rock songs.
'All That You Need'; was his debut release and initial foray into music production. Featuring a collection of melodic, piano-based instrumental works, recorded, programmed and mixed by the artist in his bedroom studio during 2002 and mastered by David Macquarie at Studios 301, Sydney Australia.
2nd Album Released Dec 2003 - 'Something To Live By' - another 11 tracks of piano-based chill-out music.
3rd Album Released Nov 2004 - 'The Cybase Project'
Ian Rushton, known more typically for his "Antipodean Clayderman" piano style instrumentals started 'The Cybase Project' in 2003. The primary goal of the project was to create an album of original contemporary adult rock songs, written by Ian Rushton and other fellow Kiwi's, with "guest" appearances from "band members" from around the world. Collaboration between the international contributors takes place over the internet, exchanging ideas and tracks via email and other WEB based services. All tracks are produced and mixed in Auckland, New Zealand by Ian Rushton.
The lead vocals are dominated by German singer Wolfgang Menzel, offering both powerful and sentimental vocal arrangements he maintains a strong emotional content, steering it between high and gentle, major and minor and wavering maniacally to great effect. Other vocalists include the very capable Lenny 'Lee' Ackley of New York, contrasting with the sweet and gentle voice of Nina Yu from China on 'Across The Miles'.
There's something for everyone here; from sentimental ballads 'Stranded In Your Heart' and the vocal duet 'Let Her Go', through to theatric rock such as 'Sanctuary' and the Floyd-esque sounds of 'Take Me Away'. The sometimes complex and very tasteful arrangements largely feature of course Rushton's distinctive piano style, accompanied by the presence of several guitarists, such as Scott Kent, Bob Melanson, Steve Fogal and Rushton himself. His familiarity and confidence is revealed in the obvious attention to detail, the ease with which musical complexity becomes effortless, both in the playing and the listening, and the clever cloaking of a what is essentially a rock album in melodic elegance.
'The Cybase Project' convinces you to play the whole album over and over again despite it's very generous duration of 70 minutes.
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