July 12, 2026
Early Review in Paris Move Magazine
An early review of The Man Who Would Be King from Thierry De Clemensat, Member at Jazz Journalists Association, gives it the highest mark in Paris Move: "A Must / Indispensable." Below are some excerpts and a link to the full review.
"Summary: Adam De Lucia's The Man Who Would Be King is an ambitious jazz fusion album that blends orchestral grandeur, progressive rock, and contemporary improvisation. Featuring Donny McCaslin and an exceptional ensemble, it offers a richly cinematic listening experience that rewards adventurous music lovers....
"De Lucia's relationship with the guitar is equally revealing. Although he is an accomplished instrumentalist, he consistently resists the temptation to dominate the music. His guitar frequently functions as the connective tissue of the ensemble, providing harmonic color, rhythmic momentum and subtle atmosphere while creating space for the other musicians to develop their own voices. It is the approach of a composer whose primary concern is the integrity of the entire work rather than individual virtuosity. Such artistic restraint is increasingly rare, particularly among guitarists leading projects of this scale and ambition....
"This willingness to embrace complexity gives the album much of its lasting appeal. The listener constantly moves between recognition and surprise. Familiar echoes of jazz history emerge only to dissolve into unexpected harmonic turns, orchestral colors and rhythmic ideas. Those seeking immediate gratification may find the music demanding, yet listeners who enjoy adventurous and intellectually engaging works will discover a recording that reveals new dimensions with every return....
"At a time when streaming culture often encourages fragmented listening and instant accessibility, Adam De Lucia has chosen a different path. He has created an album that values continuity over convenience, patience over immediacy and artistic vision over commercial formula. That decision alone deserves recognition."
Quotes excerpted from Paris Move. Read the full review.