Acoustic Alchemy - This Way

‘This Way’ is the brand new CD from the enduringly excellent Acoustic Alchemy. It is their first album under the association that Higher Octave/Narada Jazz has with Blue Note Records and those who read the recent Smooth Jazz Therapy review of the bands superb live show at the Cinnamon Club, Altrincham will have noted my comments that ‘This Way’ is without doubt destined to be one the most significant contemporary jazz releases of 2007. It marks yet another phase in the musical evolution that started in 1987 when ‘Red Dust and Spanish Lace’ provided guitarists Greg Carmichael and Nick Webb with access into the then fledgling adult contemporary market. Since then the sad passing of Webb and his replacement in 1998 by Miles Gilderdale, has, over time, led to an amalgam of influences that now extends to luscious horn driven grooves yet essentially continues to be underpinned by that hallmark combination of steel and nylon stringed guitars.

‘This Way’ launches with the distinctively mellow ‘Love Is All There Is’ that in many ways sums up what Acoustic Alchemy is all about. Melodic guitars contrasting with dreamy old school soul horns sets up the feeling for much of what is to come and opens the door on a collection that is embellished by a sequence of outstanding guest performances. For example ‘Ernie’, the first track selected for radio play, features AA old boy Terry Disley on keyboards and sometime collaborator Jeff Kashiwa on sax. The tune is dedicated to Gilderdale’s hero, the Jamaican guitar legend Ernest Ranglin and, with the trombone of Dennis Rollins generating a decidedly slinky groove, it makes for a terrific slice of Caribbean tinged jazz.

‘Slampop’ is anchored by a thumping beat. It lays a foundation for delicious interplay between Gilderdale’s smoking electric guitar and Carmichael’s melodic acoustic while altogether different is the Latin infused ‘Out Of Nowhere’. Beautiful in its simplicity it contrasts wonderfully with the equally Latin flavored ‘Carlos The King’ on which the flugelhorn of Rick Braun really smolders. The title track offers a taste of chill out music the way only AA can make it sound and, as if it was needed, ‘Only In My Dreams’ provides a reminder of the gift the band has for top notch rhythm and melody. Its eastern vibe is stunningly hypnotic yet, by seamlessly switching gears for the fusion flavored ‘Egg’ AA show how easily they can become unashamedly funky. Snake Davis on sax and Down To The Bones Neil Cowley on retro sounding organ both feature and funk, this time in its more controlled form, is also on the agenda for ‘Now I’m On My Way’. Mixed by Steve Hodge, who has engineered for Janet Jackson and Mary J Blige, it’s both melodic and tight while in comparison the jazzy ‘Tied Up With String’ is complex, edgy and extremely hip.

A personal favorite is ‘Who Knows’. As catchy as you will get anywhere it is jam full of Carmichael and Gilderdale’s melodic playing and blessed by the outstanding flugelhorn of Kevin Robinson. ‘This Way’ is a heady and eclectic mix that is sure to do well.

For the latest on Acoustic Alchemy go to www.acoustic-alchemy.net