Composer, guitarist, and inventor Jack West will release two albums on Otá Records (the label behind most of Omar Sosa’s recordings). The first, Guitars On Life, is a new album of percussive acoustic guitar music featuring West and guitarist Walter Strauss performing mostly live in the studio as a Duo.

The second, Essential Curvature, is a compilation of songs West composed and recorded with his group Curvature between 1996 and 2003. Both recordings showcase West’s innovative approach to the acoustic guitar and to composing instrumental music with a focus on rhythm and groove.

Both albums are available on vinyl and digital platforms and are set for release on January 23rd, 2026 on Ota Records / Redeye Worldwide.

For those unaware, this wonderful duo recording that I am reviewing today captures Jack West and Walter Strauss in a duo format, both playing steel string acoustic guitar, with no overdubs. Most of the tracks were recorded live in the studio.

The album showcases West in a paired down setting where he simultaneously plays bass, chords, and percussion lines. He’s a one-man rhythm section that seriously holds it down on funky grooves like Double Bounce and airs it out on rocking tunes like Youth.

Perfectly complementing West’s dynamic rhythm machine, Strauss weaves expertly filigreed melodies that layer on top. West also occasionally picks up his slide to add his trademark legato slide work.

While the album demonstrates innovative virtuoso guitar technique from both West and Strauss, Guitars On Life is also brimming with emotion, and the intense pleasure that emanates from the duo’s interactions tells a vivid tale about two insistently idiosyncratic artists coming together to forge an intimately conversational sound. It is as if the two guitars were querying each other on the topic of life.

Side A:
1. More Guitar
2. I Wish
3. Youth
4. Double Bounce

Side B:
5. Across The Bardo
6. New Way Up
7. OO
8. Follow The Water Down

Made from 100% recyclable vinyl alternative, PET, slipping the vinyl LP out of its sleeve, my fingers on the edges I gently spin it over and over a few times to get that lovely fresh vinyl smell into the air, before I put Side A down on the turntable, place the needle, and sit back to take in the first track: the spirited More Guitar and then - with seven of the tracks being originals, just the one solitary outlier being a classic cover - we get a sublimely rousing rendition of Stevie Wonder’s I Wish, which is itself backed by the free flowing beauty of Youth and the aptly-titled Double Bounce.

Flipping the vinyl over for Side B, along next is the lushly sculpted Along The Bardo which is in turn followed seamlessly by the intricately masterful New Way Up, the recording rounding out on the dutifully dedicated, rhythmically stunning work of musical art OO, coming to an all-too-soon close on the atmospherically ambient Follow The Water Down.

Jack West & Walter Strauss - Youth (Guitars on Life) [Official Video]

Official Purchase Link