Emerge releases “Sunset Coast” to critical acclaim SUMMARY: The re-emergence of Emerge: the original SF fusion power trio's music is back, this time as a solo project. BODY: The original trio Emerge (guitarist and band leader Peter Jong Chang, bassist Dave Mendoza, and drummer Atma Anur) were no strangers to music, having played together for years in San Francisco, and prior to that each member had his own long history. Together though, they found a combination that became far more than the sum of its parts – a sound, heady and powerful, and almost impossible to resist. Elements of rock, jazz, funk, soul, and reggae blend together seamlessly. “Sunset Coast,” is the latest album, a complete solo effort by original band leader and producer, Peter Jong Chang. Largely guitar-driven, “Sunset Coast” showcases Peter’s talents perfectly. The sound evokes the California coastline that he still considers home, while also bringing in occasional elements of the Southwest, where he currently resides. It’s like instrumental surf-rock with a little jet fuel thrown into the mix. The title track "Sunset Coast" launches soaring guitar lines that flit between the churning rhythms effortlessly, like a bird. Lead track “Octane” lives up to its name – boisterous and rocking. "Article 1" is like an exotic journey that reels with its relentless, driving beat, while "Coconut" is a fun, tropical groove with power, allure and a hypnotic melody. Emerge was “born out of a need to create music, not to play to the masses, but to satisfy personal desires for creative fulfillment. Emerge came together as a project about playing and nothing more,” according to Peter. The tradition of diverse styles and eclectic songwriting from the original trio are evident in Sunset Coast as well – this music creates a sonic composition unlike anything else out there. “What attracted me to Emerge is that all the songs are loose yet arranged at the same time,” says drummer Atma Anur. And that’s the whole point. “From song to song there’s so much variation” Peter says. “It’s not the exact same groove in a different tempo, and the fact that there are all these parts within a given song, you have to really create transitions and it forces you to be on your toes to play this music.”