Alchemical Theatre - Alchemical Theatre - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The young players of the Swiss string ensemble Camerata du Léman make their recording debut with energetic performances of Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, in a new arrangement by concertmaster Simon Bouveret. The Camerata realize an ensemble sound that is both homogenic and soloistic, and are driven by a shared desire for adventure and a common passion for chamber music. Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence is a tribute to the Italian city where the composer spent a winter, and simultaneously a declaration of love to Italian lyricism. The ensemble's new rendition of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition revives the nineteenth-century transcription practice, while also demonstrating the inexhaustible musical richness of this timeless masterpiece.

First album in years, co-produced by keyboardist George Whitty, is both smooth & swinging, with nods to George Benson, Pat Martino & Wes Montgomery. Years in Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe, veteran guitarist Bill Moio has crafted a gem in Try This. Co-produced by keyboardist-arranger George Whitty who has toured and/or recorded with Herbie Hancock, The Brecker Brothers, and Grover Washington Jr., guitar aficionados and smooth jazz fans alike will be introduced to this talent deserving wider recognition, who has been flying under the radar. From the funky Tower of Power-inspired title track to the soulful, blues-tinged Struttin', the gorgeous ballad Friends Again and smooth jazz cruising numbers, Chuckles and Straight Talk, Moio and his cohort Whitty concocted a virtual two-man show on Try This through their accomplished keyboard sampling/sequencing technology and adept drum programming. The result is quite organic-sounding and authentic, while the guitarist unleashes his remarkably fluent chops in scintillating fashion. Along the way, the native of South Portland, Maine and resident of Paradise Valley, Arizona also sneaks in a few tips of the hat to guitar heroes Pat Martino (720 Berkeley and I've Heard It All Before) and Wes Montgomery (particularly his thumbed octaves work on Straight Talk, Let It Begin and Chuckles). A cadre of colleagues with alto saxophonist Eric Marienthal, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Tom Brechtlein, appear as special guests on two tracks, Try This and Struttin' (Brechtlein also appears separately on Need to Know). Trumpeter Wayne Bergeron and trombonist Andy Martin bulk up the synthesized horn section on Struttin' and the Latin flavored closer, Arroz con Pollo. And the full sounding complement of digital horns and strings on I've Heard It All Before and Friends Again sound as convincing as the real deal.

Theo Jorgensmann - Alchemia [COMPACT DISCS] date 01/07/2008