Acoustic Alchemy in Jazz Gala

ABS-CBN’s Lifestyle Network is once more taking part at the annual Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival. Also known as the PI Jazzfest, the event is a wonderful change from the hoopla of the various shows during the Valentine’s Day celebration and is a chance for music buffs to indulge in first-rate jazz sounds. ABS-CBN is doing just that with its Jazz Gala, which will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila tonight at 6.

Among the world-class artists who will be performing at the gala this year are: Yaron Gottfried, an Israeli conductor who bridges classical, jazz and contemporary music; Filipino-American Charmaine Clamor, who has been described as “a gifted vocalist” by the New York Times and as “one of the important and original new jazz singers of the decade” by the Los Angeles Times; the rocking cellist Dave Eggar; Filipino pianist Tateng Katindig; also Filipino drummer Abe Lagrimas; and the Acoustic Alchemy.

How nice to learn that Acoustic Alchemy is back in town and continues to be active with its music. And I must add, bigger than ever. Their recording of Marrakesh from the album Roseland is No. 1 in the Billboard jazz chart. I remember watching Greg Carmichael and Nick Webb in the late ’80s as Acoustic Alchemy. They were two young guitarists with a knack for both rock and classical music, which when they combined together became their own kind of easy flowing jazz. Unfortunately, Webb died of cancer in 1998 and I thought that that would also be the end of Acoustic Alchemy.

Fortunately, I was wrong. It was not the end of Acoustic Alchemy. In fact, the group has continued to flourish over the years. Miles Gilderdale, who was at the start the duo’s back-up electric guitarist, got to playing the acoustic guitar remarkably well and soon became Carmichael’s writing and performing partner. The two of them now front Acoustic Alchemy. The result of this combination as evidenced by the band’s CD Roseland is an edgier sound that is, however, not too far off from the early albums.

What is most interesting about the song line-up is how they mixed rock, pop, country and other sounds and then turned the new concoction into jazz. As before the arrangements are kept simple and easy on the ears. The main focus is kept on the stellar performances of the two guitarists. Marrakesh is big but my favorite cut here is the lovely Templemeads. Very engaging.

It is just too bad that Roseland does not seem to be available in the local stores. I should hope though that the popular early releases like Arcan’um and The Very Best Of Acoustic Alchemy are in the shops as this seems to be a good time to introduce the varied music of Acoustic Alchemy to younger buyers. Then if they or you want to hear more from the group, you can check out their gigs at the PI Jazzfest and watch the band live. Tickets to the jazz fest shows are available at all Ticketnet outlets. For details, you can log on to www.pijazzfest.com or e-mail [email protected].

And while we are on the topic of jazz, you might also want to check out what are the best jazz sounds of today. As per Billboard, the Top 10 albums are: Kisses On My Bottom by Paul McCartney; Sinatra, Best of the Best by Frank Sinatra; Duets II by Tony Bennett; Midnight In Paris, the movie soundtrack; That’s Life by Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.; I’ll Take Romance by Steve Tyrell; The Smooth Side Of Soul by Najee; Chamber Music Society by Esperanza Spalding; Galaxy by Jeff Lourber Fusion; and The Very Best Of The Rat Pack by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

Aside from Acoustic Alchemy’s Marrakesh, the top tracks are The Lady In My Life by George Benson; Boom Town by Richard Elliot; Slam Dunk by Wayman Tisdale; Perfect Nites by Najee; Mandela by Terry Wollman; Cry by Boney James; Roadtrip by Michael Lington featuring Lee Ritenour; Big Brother by the Jeff Lorber Fusion; and Free Fall by Kim Waters.

Not in the charts but an album I recommend that you check out, The Jazz Ballad Songbook by Randy Brecker. Heavenly.