Acoustic Alchemy – This Way

With the release of “This Way”, Acoustic Alchemy’s first album under Higher Octave/Narada Jazz’s association with Blue Note Records, guitarists Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale celebrate a remarkable two decades since 1987’s Red Dust and Spanish Lace established the British ensemble as an ever evolving, powerhouse force in contemporary jazz.

Utilizing member of their regular touring/recording band of Terry Disley, Snake Davis, Fred White, Julian Crampton and Greg Grainger are joined by guests such as the buzz-of-today pianist Neil Cowley, trumpeter Rick Braun, saxman Jeff Kashiwa and on the reggae-tinged “Ernie,” the great trombonist, Dennis Rollins.  Only two tracks , “Out of Nowhere” and “This Way” feature only the duo-the rest are a fine mix of
old-school soul/jazz, funk, reggae, and rock with a mixture of electric
guitars, acoustic guitars and the horn selection all combining to
create a smooth but completely passionate album of classy jazzy guitar
music.

The album begins “Love Is All There Is” a fabulous British meander and jazzy retrospective of the Summer of Love with horns, hypnotic background vocals and a synth sitar. Other stand out tunes include “Out Of Nowhere” a nice Alchemy signature piece that will probably be the follow-up single to the infectious “Ernie.” the multifaceted and jazz-centric “Egg,” the straight-ahead “Tied Up With String” and the lounge feeling “Now I’m On My Way.”

“This Way” is a wonderful summer listing CD and continues with Acoustic Alchemy’s tradition of fine recordings.

Ian Cooke
The Urban Music Scene