Acoustic Alchemy - "American/English"

The veteran smooth jazz band Acoustic Alchemy continues its focus on a more organic, acoustical sound as displayed on the band’s last album, Radio Contact. This is the band’s fourth album without guitarist Nick Webb, who died seven years ago, and now the chemistry between original member Greg Carmichael and the other guitar player – Miles Gilderdale – is reaching its peak. Webb brought the band a classical guitar sensibility that still sounds fresh today, and Gilderdale offers a blues and soul vibe and even does some scatting (he was a singer in a rock band in an earlier life), as he shows on the funky “Say Yeah.”

The title of Acoustic Alchemy’s 13th album refers to its roots as a British band that has found its niche in America. Old fans will find much to enjoy on this new CD, as the interplay between the nylon and string guitars – the band’s trademark – sounds amazingly fresh in songs such as the ballad “Cherry Hill” and “The Crossing.” These two tracks, and some others, retain the familiar soft touch that Acoustic Alchemy has long been known for.

Having said that, there is still room for advancement and new ideas, shown on “Lilac Lane,” which offers a blistering electric guitar solo and a steady, chill music-like tempo. Likewise, “So Kylie,” which makes reference to Australian dance-pop queen Kylie Minogue, is a late-night dance number with several electronica elements and an irresistible “nah-nah-nah-nah” chorus. “Trinity,” a reggae number, recalls the band’s “Jamaica Heartbeat” from the classic Back on the Case CD from 1991. Elsewhere, the band keeps things fresh with different styles – the feel-good Motown groove of “The Detroit Shuffle,” the Steely Dan-wink of “She Speaks American English,” and the jazzy swing of “The 14 Carrot Café,” a song named after a Seattle restaurant the band frequents when visiting the Pacific Northwest.

Whether listening in England or America, fans will certainly have plenty to cheer for on this latest effort by one of smooth jazz’s best-loved bands.
Smooth grade: A
From Brian Soergel [smoothjazzvibes.com]