I first became aware of guitarist Jamie Bonk’s music by way of his excellent 2004 release ‘My World’. His third album, it had been three years in the making and at the time I commented that, in the competitive world of contemporary jazz guitar, it had all the attributes necessary to take him right to the top. The follow up, ‘5’, came along in 2007 and now he is back with an exceptional four track ‘digital only’ EP, ‘St Joseph Street’.
Named after the Toronto street on which Jamie has lived for the last twenty years ‘St Joseph Street’ opens with the uplifting ‘Summer In The Round’. It is laced with the new age leanings that have characterized Bonk’s development and dazzles with his vibrant playing. Not only that, tremendous flute from Bill McBirnie takes the tune to another place and when Jamie notches down the tempo for the velvety ‘Nobody Knows Why’, the result is a total delight.
‘Said It Once’ is the CD’s one vocal track and is splendidly delivered by the Karen Carpenter-esque and award winning Wendy Irvine. This hugely commercial song provides an outstanding platform for Bonk’s intricate yet melodic guitar while even better is the mid tempo ‘Quiet Tones’. Shimmering with rhythm and melody, this hypnotic cut is magical.
Overall ‘St Joseph Street’ has a warmness that is perfectly suited to the approaching festive season. It is already at iTunes so for information go to www.jamiebonk.com