Hi
Very excited - just heard the new CD in its entirety - its really fantastic . Eleven unique tracks probably one of AA's best ever works . Just off to Bluenote New York this week to deliver the master . Its going to be called " This Way " and should be on the streets by late Spring . Watch this space.
Stewart.

WOW - great news! Roll on late Spring...... I can't wait to hear the new CD - and I have already made a space for 'This Way' in my CD rack!

Agree this is fantastic news! Can't wait to hear the new CD and hopefully hear some tracks at Jazz Alley in Seattle when the band gets there (in July??!!).

Colleen

Thanks for the update... Can't wait to hear some fresh tracks in WPB in a couple months... (as well as the venerable existing library, of course!)

Thanks Very Much for the update Stewart, We are patient bunch, any A.A. Cd is worth waiting for, We just know it will be TERRIFIC...

Stewart, Id like to thankyou for all your efforts now and over the past 20 years, I for one truly appreciate what you do for us.

Sincerely Philip.

Recently returned from "coyote country" - 95.5 KYOT in Phoenix, AZ, site of AA's June 23 visit this year. Quite the change of scenery for this snow/rain-soaked fan! It was ~80°F during the day, so good luck to AA in 4 months!

Late spring can't come soon enough for "This Way" to be released. We patient/not so patient fans are READY! Looks to be a BEST EVER CD.

Elaine K

Interesting name... "This Way". Looking forward to the sounds coming from their new album.

Hi
The folks at Bluenote have put an American street date of June 6th for the release of " This Way" . It will be on the Narada Jazz Label. Get those hard earned dollars ready !!!!
Stewart

Thanks for the Update Stewart, Its appreciated, Roll on June 6th, Im sure we will Love it.

Wow!! 6th of June? Why couldn't it be the 8th of June... (my daughter's birthday). But seriously, I'll probably be somewhere in Canada by then so I'll have to buy it where ever they have a gig close enough to (Most likely Seattle - that isn't posted on the gig list yet)

Excellent, a tad longer away than one might have hoped for, but that would be true even if "This Way" were released next week! No doubt it will be worth the wait.

Elaine K

Acoustic Alchemy's New CD Due In June

Acoustic Alchemy has completed a new album called This Way, which follows the band’s American/English project from 2005. Once again, the group led by the British guitar duo of Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale recorded most of the album at the legendary Hansa Haus studios in Germany, but also utilized two studios in London and one in York, England.

The album includes all original songs, with titles including “Love Is All There Is,” “Who Knows,” “Slampop,” “Tied Up With String” and “Only In My Dreams.” In addition to guest stars Rick Braun on trumpet on the song “Carlos and the King” and Jeff Kashiwa on saxophone on the tune “Egg,” band members include Neil Cowley on piano, Snake Davis on sax, Terry Disley on piano, Greg Grainger on drums, Fred White on trumpet and Julian Crampton on bass.

This Way will be released on June 5.

This Way Track Listing

1. Love Is All There Is (G.Carmichael/M.Gilderdale) - 4:22
2. Ernie (G.Carmichael/M.Gilderdale) - 6:34
3. Who Knows (G.Carmichael/M. Gilderdale/A.H.White) - 3:56
4. Slampop (G.Carmichael/M.Gilderdale) - 4:47
5. Out of Nowhere (G.Carmichael/M.Gilderdale) - 3:38
6. This Way (G.Carmichael/M.Gilderdale) - 4:41
7. Tied Up With String (G.Carmichael/M.Gilderdale) - 5:12
8. Only In My Dreams (G.Carmichael/ M.Gilderdale) - 5:52
9. Carlos the King (G.Carmichael/ M.Gilderdale) - 5:52
10. Egg (G.Carmichael/M.Gilderdale/A.H.White) - 5:11
11. Now I'm On My Way (G.Carmichael/M.Gilderdale) - 4:44

Bob

Folks,
Sorry - neglected to credit the source for the above. It's from Smooth Jazz Vibes
http://www.smoothjazzvibes.com/

However, Stewart informs me that there are a few inaccuracies in this post, so stay tuned...
Bob

Hi
This article apparently came from Bryan Soergal at Smooth Vibes . There are a few errors which i should address. Firstly the Album was primarily recorded at Higher Ground Studios in London. Rick Braun plays Flugal Horn not Trumpet and Neil Cowley, Snake Davis and Terry Disley are not Band members but special guests !!
Stewart

Thanks for that Info Stewart, Love those Special guests. June isnt so far away, the months are ticking by, Philip.

so.... which tune will be the first single? Will it be "Ernie"?

At first I thought the so called "single" aka radio track should be "Who Knows" because the intro sounds like an inversion of "L'arc En Ciel De Miles"/Incognito..a song that does get airplay..and when it comes to MixMaster music tests it's all about and immediately recognizable 7 seconds. But it gets interesting in the middle, thus, not relaxing enough. However Euge's "Get Em Goin" got play so I'm stickin' to that. they can always edit out the interesting parts :rolleyes:

I can't help myself. I should exercise restraint but I just can't. I got an advance 'cause I'm writing about it under a print deadline for a magazine so I had to roll way in advance. It is just stunning, so innovative and brilliant and different. It hit me the same way Against The Grain did when it came out which is to say it blows me away. It's hard to say "best yet" re: an AA CD because some of them sound so different that it's apples and oranges but this one is waaay up there.

Hi Stewart, do you have an indication when the new CD will be available in South Africa?

I'm glad to hear its an exciting album. I definitely can't wait for it. Do you by chance know what the cover art looks like?

from san antonio

This Way is now available to order on HMV.co.uk priced at £5.99 delivered! Release date 7th May (interesting as that's a Bank Holiday in the UK).

http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=281;1;-1;-1&sku=646552

BlueNote are trying to manufacture a limited number of new Cd's for the Uk only to tie in with our May tour dates ( US street date is still June 6th) . The HMV price quoted is inaccurate - this is a full price release.We will hopefully be carrying copies on our UK tour.
Stewart

almost a month!

OK, AA fans - here goes with
'This Way' - my first impressions............

A very different AA this time - with a fresh and exciting new sound!
My favourite tracks so far are..............
1: 'Love is all there is' - it's sexy, lush - and it sends shivers down my spine - wonderful!
2: 'Slampop' - totally brilliant - full of life and energy - makes you feel glad to be alive!
3: 'Only in my dreams' - does just what it says on the tin - absolutely dreamy! (with a dash of the 'Herbie H.'sound for good measure!!!)
4: 'This Way' - builds beautifully into a richly evocative sound that is a feast for the ears.

'This Way' is a great musical journey during which AA breaks new ground with their unique sound and composition. The CD has not left my player yet...... and I am absolutely loving it!

Well done Guys - I am working very hard on Norwich for next year!!!!

HMV.co.uk have shipped my copy, so it is around in the UK ahead of the published US release date.
Can't wait to see the lads at Maidstone.

Are we allowed to post reviews on the new CD or would the band prefer to leave it until our US pals get a copy?...it's well worth waiting for and superbly well produced...just thought I'd write a few notes about the tracks to see if other fans agree?...but don't want to spoil the fun for eagerly awaiting pondside fans....

Cheers
Moose.

This Way - quite a step in a new direction. Track 1 seems to borrow Herb Alpert-trumpet wistfullness. T2, Ernie, was previewed in live performances last year & makes for a great live performance. T3 'Who Knows' & T4 'Slampop' are also playlist tracks.
Need time to get into the remainder....except I must say T11, 'Now I'm on my way', is a stunning, hypnotic, mesmerising track. Steve Hodge's mix has guaranteed air time; only AA could save such a track till the end! Can't wait for this to go live with all the musicians let loose.
One thing - what's happened to Fred White's keyboards on the CD?

Moose,
I would say since there have been many reviews and yet I still have little idea of what I might hear (what does brilliant sound like? lush? evocative?)
I would think no one would object to your impressions. Unless your impressions include a free cd??
Much different than giving a setlist which everyone would then know what they were going to hear at a gig.
So, onward with a review I say!
Aart

The US can pre-order on Amazon or Barnes and Noble....



Product Description
Acoustic Alchemy are the British acoustic guitar duo of Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale, and with "This Way" they are celebrating a remarkable two decades since their debut with 1987's Red Dust. For all this time they have been a quiet phenomenom, constantly topping the jazz charts in the USA, being nominated for GRAMMY's and touring the world. Following the pop-soul vibe of 2005's "American English", the duo have delivered their most aggressive and swinging, hard rocking and artfully jazzy disc to date. The 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 Specials Trombonist, Dennis Rollins. Just 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 section all combining to create a smooth but completely passionate album of classy jazzy guitar music.

All Music Guide
With the release of This Way, Acoustic Alchemy's guitarists Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale celebrate a remarkable two decades since Red Dust and Spanish Lace established the British ensemble as an ever-evolving powerhouse of contemporary jazz. Carmichael and Gilderdale's natural chemistry is very apparent on this set of loose and spirited songs as is the soloing by the complementing musicians on such jazzy tracks as "Egg," which has a very British, Blues-drenched, straight ahead sound. By contrast, "Ernie" has an exotic Latin jazz flavor complete with great solos by Terry Disley, Jeff Kashiwa and trombonist Dennis Rollins. Rick Braun makes a guest appearance on "Carlos The King," a racy rock, Latin and Blues fusion that also features Gilderdale's electric guitar and Greg Grainger's percussive energy. With as many brilliant players as there are in the ensemble, the concept of two acoustic guitar players is still the emotional heartbeat of the band's sound. Carmichael and Gilderdale's outstanding playing on "Out of Nowhere" and "This Way" is a sure testament to that concept. "Out of Nowhere" features a hypnotic, swaying acoustic melody over a gentle guitar harmony and light percussion line. The slow burning title track features experimental synth textures similar to those heard on the early Acoustic Alchemy releases of the late 1980s which featured the group's founders Nick Webb& Greg Carmichael. However This Way showers both veteran and new listeners in an updated legacy of positive and powerful music. Paula Edelstein

Hi Aart
Ok then, I will pen a few lines of critique from a nylon/ steel/ bass, keyboard, players perspective and will try to convey the tracks in as close to audio stylee as is possible without actually having the cd on!

More later...some typing to do...it's a very detailed album so i'll try my best....been spending my time learning the guitar parts to the album to be honest....anyone interested in forming a tribute band....start queuing!....

Cheers
Moose

I changed my mind about my favorite tune from "this way" with each time I popped it into my CD player. there is that much to listen to.... and I agree with Shannon, this one hit me hard - I had a similar reaction the first time I heard Blue Chip - so many songs hit me that it was hard to pick a favorite.

I think everyone here will find a fave tune or multiple choices when they hear it. Just a little under 3 weeks to go now...

I don't know if I agree with the review which referred to "Ernie" as Latin jazz.... to me, it's a more reggae-ish tune and Carribean in flavor. If you saw the guys last year, you heard Ernie.

Maybe it's just me, but when I think Latin Jazz, I think of Xavier Cugat or Tito Puente, something more Cuban or Puerto Rican in flavor, with timbales and congas, etc. Miles has been intro'ing the song with a reference to Ernie Ranglin - who was born in Jamaica (the music there has always sounded different to me than Cuban music).

Anyhow, I thought some might be interested in knowing that Ernie Ranglin toured with the Jummy Cliff and did some guitar sessions for the Wailers in the 70s - what is referred to as "rocker reggae". In the 60s, he was a pioneer of ska music.

Kat, you're on target. Ernie Ranglin has done many sessions with The Wailers( He's worked very close with Earl Lindo,and the Barrett Brothers), Toots, Jimmy Cliff, Studio One Band, and so forth. If I'm correct, he's on the soundtrack of the movie "The Harder They Fall".

As a matter of fact, Ernie can be heard on the soundtracks in the movies "Rockers" and "Countryman" that features the great reggae artists in the industry.

Moose gives us the benefit of his Alaskan ears and lays down the law from above the 49th Parallel….....

Ok, here goes:-

1. Love Is All There Is.
Think of Herb Alpert ( Second Wind rather than Tijuana) guest appearing on a soft and laid back groove featuring Sitar licks and both Greg and Miles taking turns on gentle steel and nylon, then a nice wailing sax solo half way through. Underpinned with a vocal chant type chorus at the beginning and dotted throughout the piece. Add a really thick phat sounding analoguish synth outro piece set to a nice ( possibly looped/ virtual) drum track and you have a lovely laid back classic opener to the CD. Not an overly memorable melody but as a whole it’s a really nice song.

2. Ernie.
Now we’re talking! Superb dynamic groove on the kit, underpinned by a very heavy bass line which practically walks across the mix, and throws sand in the face of the rest of the album. Featuring a very, very memorable melody line on steel guitar, occasionally replicated on trumpet, giving it a thick and warm vibe. Nice percussion fills aplenty and some traditional vocal scats a la Tippa Irie…kinda..”two gyirly gyirlies”…wonderful..
Try not to think of Sex and the City when the piano slides in with an octaved latinesque fill, very nice , then followed by a nice sax solo, not too demanding but astonishingly well phrased as is the outro trumpet section, marvellous and a great departure for AA yet retaining hallmarks and trademarks aplenty.
Think reggae lover, dating a Cuban girl and this is their love child.
Sublime.

3. Who Knows.
Back to ‘Herb Alpert’ cashing in on the AA session, and all the better for it.
Tell me that sound ain’t one of the best sounds in the musical firmament when applied to this kind of groove? Damn right.
Wicked melody , simple, short, effective and funky.
Then along comes trumpet boy on a laid back solo outing…this is what livings all about, true smooth jazz…ditch the saxes and stick a horn in there…winning stuff…it has a slightly programmed feel about the arrangement with a tripstop brass swell halfway through, and a touch 80’s in places with synth arrangements but who the heck cares..
I have played along with this so often it’s addictive.
It suddenly ends with a very ominous ‘synth-string’ outro with trumpet, sudden and unexpected, perhaps a musical reference to a lost band member.
Lovely track.

4. Slampop
Ok, enter here all ye AA fans of old, classic 4 on the floor live drum pattern, with simple but nicely played steel guitar with a nice key change section up to chorus, which has Greg on nylon doing what we know and love, octave finger work , bit like Peter White, then WHOAH! Miles kicks in with a PRS thrashing of thrashings slammed though a wailing wah wah pedal…check that out and try not to picture him on stage giving it large!, nice…Intro sort of reminds me of a slightly reworked version of a pop vocal song by some band about 5 years ago, ‘he’s got the dreamers disease, every night you smash a mercedez benz’….the free radicals I think…
Very happy, fun and joyous song which has a certain Detroit Shuffle good time vibe but in 4/4 not ¾…you get me?

5. Out of Nowhere
Nicely looped drum program and simple synth section opens this classic groove with a really nice melody which has a load of references to other tracks, not intentionally, but lets just say it’s instantly AA!..
Nice chord progressions…I can’t figure them out!
Also a nice little ‘Fourplay’esque edge to the mix with stilted bar endings ending on a silent pause then kicking back in, lovely mmmmm nice.
I like the synth sound Fred plays on this, sort of a synth harmonica part…not a terribly complex song, not a career best but it’s still worth sticking on the cd..

6. This Way
Cute little 5 piece synth opener which is then dotted around the song. Interesting synth sound, over a slow groove and a nice slightly sad minor sounding guitar melody. Bit on the downer side but all the better for it, sort of the sorbet between courses…weird synth- heavy sound with a rock guitar wailing along in the back ground on a progressive chord crescendo section leading to a …….return to the quiet five note synth bit which reminds me of Isoa Tomita …slightly…not what I’d have as the title track but hey, I aint AA!

7. Tied Up With String
Blimey!...what happened here, AA do JAZZ??..think Ronny Jordan’s ‘So What’ chord patterns and stick a similar nylon guitar melody on top and that’s pretty much it…however the drums get a stretch and so does the piano…wonderful busy, active and harmonic and also very well constructed ivory tinkling on this track so put away your geetars and prepare to AIR BOSENDORFER!!...nice….it’s very like Green Earings by Steely Dan, especially the piano stab at 2.56…wonderful lads…so there you have it So What meets Green Earings….I remember…

8. Only In My Dreams
Nice mellow laid back looped drum machine with a Hall and Oates ‘I Can’t Go For That’ kinda Rhodes intro sample… add some really nice acoustic guitar accompanying the Omar Hakim soundalike vocal chants ( from the track on the W.KBLX / GRP sampler CD) and you have a really beautiful piece. Really simple 6 note melody on steel guitar but well placed on the mix, builds up to a really nice piano skit across the speakers, then a simple solo on guitar, with Eric Serra ( Leon, Big Blue) type tympani/ gong sounds thrown in. Slightly repetitive but in a nice hypnotic style…harmless.

9. Carlos The King
Intro is immediately ‘Do It Again’ by Steely Dan, then off we go into Nylonville and a nice latin melody it is, with a dash of Bond theme chucked in, then a Santana PRS gets a strum on the chorus and very nice it is too, but TOO QUIET MILES, since when did Mr Santan play quiet solos!...then it goes off track a little bit with straight ahead guitar notes in a London style before trumpet boy gets to blow again, by this time it’s welcome as well, then the PRS sticks its neck out for some doubling up on melody duties and then it’s a nice slow fade out to finish not too dissimilar to ***ans’ Green Flower Street with each instrument taking it in turns to bow out gracefully….really nice outro lads…cool

10. Egg

Nice 10/4 groove here, superbly played on drums and featuring some nice antique portamento monophonic synth lines reminiscent of Steely Dans’ King Of The World synth parts, you’ll know what I mean, slightly weird to the ear to non musos’ but excellent to those who like to hear the black notes once in a while!. Decent Hammond sound on the ‘solo’ and again, great bass and drumming underpinning a nice busy West London jazz melody on low sax and guitar ( I think)
Definitely one for the guitarists to try to keep up with, challenging time signatures and wonderful snare ghost noting going on…ooohhhh makes me want to learn drums….

11. Now I’m On My Way
Ok, who’s the Shelia B Devotion/ Nile Rodgers fan guys?....tell me you weren’t thinking of ‘Spacer’ by her when you wrote the chord section..huh? huh?....if you’re reading this people and you know the song I’m on about, try NOT to sing “He’s a Spacer, a star chaser” to the chorus…I DARE YOU…it’s a cert.
I can’t honestly say much about this track, it’s ok, not brilliant and I all honesty you’d have been better leaving the album to finish on the jazz groove of track 10, but who am I?
It’s filler but nice one.
He’s a Spacer…damn…..see……you got me going again….

So, there you have it, my simple and probably misguided critique on the latest AA offering.
It’s polished, it’s smooth, it’s classical, it’s contemporary, it’s Definitely AA territory, It ain’t American English, but thankfully it ain’t Radio Contact…it’s a great album with a donkey load of stuff to keep all fans happy and certainly rates as one of their best… 8/10
Great to hear a decent trumpet/ flugelhorn sound on top of the two guitars and very summery it is too…driveable, shaggable, danceable, groovable….it’….AAble.

Well done lads.

Oh…and it’s British………what more could you ask for.

Moose.

So it seems this is a highly Steely Dan influenced release -- Interesting!!

Eclecticism at it's best.

Hey Mooseplayer. I've got some other friends from your part of the country. Maxi Priest, David Hinds and Steel Pulse, Drummie Zeb and Aswad, Frankie Paul, Pato Banton, to name a few.

Very nice Moose....

And Jim.... in the liner notes for American/English, Miles explains about the tune, "She Speaks American/English":

"This sure is a bit of a homage to Steely Dan. I have yet to meet a musician who won't admit to Messrs. Fa-gen and Becker being supreme songwriters and I as a mere mortal will never come close. However, it didn't stop me from using a couple of their favorite chord changes in this piece".

..thanks Kat, hope I haven't upset anyone out there who has the album...it's great....and I wish I could play/ record like that...so I'm not in a position to judge, it was just an opinion from an ageing rocker...ha ha...anyone else out there agree that it has a certain Becker & ***en-ness about it?...is Miles a full on Dan fan..and A/E was just the beggining of a small nod to the duo...? , I hope so..'Steely DAAn', the hybrid rock jazz outfit......

It's fine, Moose... the US gets the release later than the UK this time.... and here, we've always talked about the CDs before the UK releases. So no worries....

Your review was really good...

too kind Kat, too kind indeed...one thing tho, i notice that when I've typed Donald ***an's name , the f a g bit is replaced by ***...is that a US censor thing?....*** means something different over here....

you'll love the album...

Moose.

Hi Moose,
Yes, its not a cigarette here As for the review, I enjoyed reading it without having heard it yet your descriptions are vivid which is all one could ask for. I'm not sure what you meant by it aint Radio Contact, though if you meant its a busier album than Radio Contact, then I understand. Radio Contact is the one album I became more impressed with over time and there are some great melodies. I think what threw some people off at the time this album came out was that the previous album Aart and the live one from St. Lucia, the band sounded like they were rocking out and Radio Contact seemed to be a quiet turn not all were prepared for. Judged on its own instead of being judged as anticipated at the time, Radio Contact has a lot of great songs on it.
I look FORWARD to THIS WAY and will be excited when it comes out! Also got the Best Kept Secret DVD and enjoyed the 2 extra tracks though I wish there was more. The Busby Special I think is an older Nick Webb song which I hope someday to hear again. Its a great jazzy tune and its a shame that only part of it is on the dvd.
Aart

I was just in the UK, I was lucky enough to see the lads at The Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry last Sunday, what a beautiful venue.

I picked up "THIS WAY", 15 Quid well spent and worth every penny.

I wouldn't categorize THIS WAY as Steely Dan but I will say its a wonderful album, there are No disappointments here, its Smooth and very easy listening.
I loved it from the first play, an excellent sign.

I heard Tied up with String it live at the show and it grabbed me instantly, Believe me when I say there is a lot to love about this album.

The Concert was excellent, the lads put on a perfect show as per usual, The Band played plenty of favorites, ARIANA and THE MOON AND THE SUN to name just two, Plus ERNIE, CARLOS THE KING and TIED UP WITH STRING, from the New album, all great tunes.

I finally got to hear Julian Crampton Live on Bass, what a Treat.

My Thanks go to Acoustic Alchemy for a wonderful night in Coventry. Way to go.....

Ok, listening to samples right now on Amazon. Sounds great! Already preordered, so I can't wait, but, um, isn't it time to update the site???

it will be... June 5th is almost here

Just got my tix for Aug 10 at Sculler's! Now I will have two months to gig to the songs before the show

Review from SmoothViews:

http://www.smoothviews.com/cdreviews/acousticalchemy-thisway.htm

Bob

This way Folks,
Well I was able to obtain the cd a day early, so here goes first impressions which are rarely how I feel later about these songs. First, the worst thing I could say is that this album certainly does not indicate any diminishment in AA's creativity nor courage in going new directions. Quite often when you listen to a new album you inevitably wind up saying it sounds like something from another AA album as some of the synths do or the beginning of "Only In My Dreams" is reminiscent of So Kylie. One thing in the sound mix of many of these songs seems to me the bass and beat are accented more like the Aart album as opposed to subsequent albums which serves to make you pay attention to the beat and the great rhythms as they change throughout this album. I would say the most atypical song of AA on this album is "Tied Up With String" a much more straight jazz sound which I haven't heard the likes of since the Positive Thinking Album. I loved it. The song "Egg" is closest to the Steely Dan influence of any song I heard on this one. "Who Knows" has that great funky beat with the horns, but interestingly I found the chord changes more like something from Radio Contact in the middle but then it goes back to the great opening beat which makes it sound sooo tasty.. This song sounds like a great dance song for concert and I can imagine lots of fun with the opening beat.. Interesting that the first cut is "Love is All there Is" with that kind of swaying beat which you can already see the arms swaying back and forth towards the end of a show.
This album has its own identity unique from any other AA album and the boys (lads??) did themselves proud in adding yet another worthy entry to the great AA collection.
Hope to see many of these songs played live when they visit the northeast!

Wow, Amazon was FAST. Got the CD yesterday. Doing my first listen today. I do have to say, I'm not thrilled with the sound quality/mix. It sounds very muddled. Not what I'm used to with AA releases. The music is good, but the sound is muffled. Hmmm.

As for the music. Very ecclectic mix. I'm grooving to Out of Nowhere right now. Very nice.

You know, i was actually getting ready to write the exact opposite!!

I thought it was very, very well mixed, clear, and very well produced! One of the best i have heard! Perhaps your copy from Amazon is not pristine, or your playback is not in good order...

Just one man's opinion... but that's my perception, perhaps there are others...

Amazon just delivered to Vegas! First listen: outstanding. The guys have done it again. Slampop is my favorite from the first listen. The sound of the entire CD is lush, rich, colorful. Brilliant. Can't wait to see/hear the guys do these tracks live: Canyon Club here in Vegas on June 24th, again at the Hyatt Newport on June 29th!

Lovely from the first play, all tracks superb!

Elaine K

thanks to a dear friend, I have had the pleasure of spinning this about 4 times thru....each tune is unique, each soundscape is different in some way, each melody twists and turns and has surprises.
I'm really liking this one.... to be honest, I can't say what my favorite tunes are, really....it depends on what's playing at the moment. Every tune can stand on it's own very well, and my limited memory doesn't seem to be catching repetition much at all- it's rare to hear something so original.
If there's an overall taste or style, it's "chill" to some degree, I guess...but these guys are so good, you can't really put a finger on what "style" this may be....which is great. I guess it's AA style- they've defined and developed it. Quite a show of talent and skill.
Clearly they enjoy playing together.

It's too early to tell, but I think this will be one of those cds that I listen to all the time, at least once a day for awhile, and just soak it all in. There's more to discover with each listen.

I deleted my post, thinking that it would get a negative reaction. So, here I go again:
I pre-ordered "This Way" two Sundays ago, it was shipped last Monday, and arrived on Thursday. I have now listened to every track with the exception of "Love Is All There Is" and "Carlos the King." "Ernie" was the first song to reel me in. (I thought it might have been for Ernie Watts, but I'm told it's for Ranglin.) "Slampop" and "This Way" were next. With Mike Herting's piano work, "Tied Up with String" sounds like it belongs on Jeff Lorber's "He Had a Hat" album with a hint of David Benoit. "Egg" also has the Jeff Lorber sound, especially the Jeff Lorber Fusion, thanks to Fred White on Fender Rhodes and Neil Cowley on the organ. The other tracks I've listened to are also great, but I need to listen to them a few more times before I can assess them.
And, oh, yes, the guitars sound excellent.

In Houston now, keeping an eye out for the album...sigh... may have to wait until I get to Seattle. Fan reviews are encouraging though :-)

I noticed today.... This Way entered the Billboard charts at number 9....

Congrats!

Must be all the CD's we all bought!

Nice job, guys!

I just got my copy yesterday....I had to go through a lot of hassle to get it! We can't use credit card here for online transactions, neither is the postal service reliable. So I had to wait till a friend went to US on a business trip. She brought the CD for me, and I am loving it. I am still not sure which track is my favorite, but I am kind of blow away by the level of variation in this album.

Hi all

I've had the CD for a few weeks and am growing to like it, especially the first few tracks.

Does anyone else catch a sound of the Rippingtons on Carlos the King?

Best wishes
David

Ditto..."Slampop" is the one for me - perfect...."This Way" is a mighty strong effort.

And from Jim Beal Jr.: ".....The guitars of Carmichael and Gilderdale mix and mingle with Terry Disley (piano), Snake Davis (sax), Fred White (keyboards, trumpet), Julian Crampton (bass) and Greg Grainger (drums), plus guests including Rick Braun (trumpet) and Jeff Kashiwa (saxophone)...."

Dang, he forgot to mention keyboard wizard Neil Cowley (DTTB and others) who graced 5 tracs and his one minute Hammond solo on "Egg" truly got my attention on multiple plays.

AG & V,
Cabbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbage
nu-bee

A couple of weeks ago, while I was making one of MCJN's last playlists, I put in "Who Knows" and followed it up with the title track for Jeff Lorber's new album. I don't know about you, but I found--and still find--the unintentional transition seamless. Since then, if I feel like playing "Who Knows" in WinAmp, I'll queue "He Had a Hat" to follow it.

I think i saw the album at #8 this weekend and climbing on the contemporary jazz chart...

It's not even a month since I've had this album, and I am really liking it. Hardly a day passes without hearing a song or two from this album.

Just before listening to "This Way", I listened to AArt and Arcanum. I am amazed to see how the band has enhanced their sound over the years. I became a fan after hearing "The New Edge", and I really like the new sound as well as the old.

My favorites from this album are Out of Nowhere, Slampop, This Way, Carlos The King.

Now at Number 3 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart!!! Way to go, guys. Great CD. Here's the link.

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Albums&f=Top+Contemporary+Jazz

The good thing is that the music is still moving forward, and progressing, and is sounding phenom.

I am enjoying the new album but am concerned that the songs are being driven by computerized pre-production. I would love to see them write the next album entirely on the guitars (get the melodies first) and then add the other elements. I'm curious to hear what that would sound like today. Hopefully this doesn't peg me as a fan living in the past.

I agree. I have been listening to the new album some time now and for sure it has some nice songs, but overall I am a bit disappointed and in particuluar I am missing the typical AA signature sound with the dominance of the two acoustic guitars.
Many songs appear to be slightly overproduced with too much programming and sound effects. Ok, it gives the album a very modern sound and it prooves that the music is constantly evolving; but mostly the guitars are less dominant than other instruments and they are rarley interacting together.
The opening song and the title song (and also the last track) are a very strange selection; these are surely not the highlights on the album.The best ones in my view are: Who knows, Ernie, Out of Nowhere and Carlos the King.
My only hope is that it takes a bit longer to love this album, as it did for AArt and Radio Contact. I had difficulties with them in the beginning as well, but now they are among my favourite AA albums.
I hope that the next album will be again more acoustic and written around the guitars, like they did on Radio Contact. But I am sure it will sound completely different again and in fact it has alwas been the strength of AA that they are constantly reinventing themselves. I guess this is why we love them so much.

Bought it the day it was available, full price at BB, without really hearing any samples.

My children asked me what group was I listening to, I told them to guess. AA did not enter their minds, enough said . Listened through the CD about three times in total. A couple songs were downloaded to my laptop, the CD has been filed/latent since. Most of my thoughts are echoed with the three star types over at AmAzOndotCoM.

Would I have purchased it if it was not an AA title?......no. It pains me to say it-I will not purchase next time without a thorough/prior taste test.

so as an opinion, what is AA supposed to sound like these days?

On Amazon, there are 10 customer reviews, and 4 of them mention RD&SL, Positive Thinking, Arcanum, Etc... The other 6 liked This Way, as did Jazziz when it was reviewed there.

I was especially amused by the Amazon review from someone who didn't like how Carlos the King was played live because the "trumpet" was missing from the tune during the show and there was no trumpeter on tour.

(LOL, actually there was a trumpeter... Fred plays the trumpet as well as keys, LOL. He plays the horn on 3 tracks from This Way).

So his review of the CD was based on his disatisfaction at how the tunes were played in a live and breathing show. Not that any band actually plays their tunes note for note..... and I didn't mean to giggle a bit , but c'mon, Dude - Carlos the King has Rick Braun on flugelhorn. ROTFLMAO. If you're going to put a review on Amazon and try to come off like an expert ("20-year oeuvre" indeed!), then my advice is to at least get your factoids right, Dude! Rick Braun is a major force and influence on c-jazz and smooth jazz and the co-founder of a record label ... not exactly an unknown waiting to be discovered... or in this case, overlooked. Well, at least he makes his position clear when you read all of his reviews - his last favorite recording was "Positive Thinking". He pretty much trashed everything after that one... The power of the internet at work... where's that rolling on the floor icon when I need it?

(just trying to make a little joke here....)

At least here... people seem to be able to say what they like or didn't like - and pinpoint it.

Anyhow, this discussion has come up before.... and I know that some lurkers are going to jump in soon. Just keep it from flaming - and please remember - to respect each other's opinions. There is no "right" or "wrong".... just opinions.

I say this because I was a bit disappointed at how some of the newer boarders expressed themselves when presented with opposing opinions. In the interest of fairness and not confusing people with moderation vs opinion, I will not state my opinion- but I will continue to moderate the thread.

Looking forward to reading your opinions.

http://www.magicisland.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=000068

http://www.magicisland.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=000071

Wish the so-called reviewers on Amazon would get their facts straight:

Review #1
"The road to instrumental stardom began when the duo Carmichael-Gilderdale provided the one-off-in-flight entertainment for a Virgin Airlines England to America flight, in search of an elusive recording contract..."

Reviewer #2
"...when AA bought their flight to the States from England by winning a talent competition to play aboard American Airlines(also AA...cute~)"

Bob

that's it? Only 1 opinion?

hey Kat-
I'll toss in my two cents (or is it shillings ) on that-

I think AA should sound exactly like what Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale WANT it to sound like. Duh...
Whether the fans like it or not, the tunes rolling around in their heads are the foundation of everything the band does. Beyond that, assuming they listen to fan's suggestions (which they don't have to at all but appear to care about) it should have some palpable link to their musical history, by that meaning previous recordings. But not just one or two, that would pigeon-hole them too much.
Since I became more of a fan after Beautiful Game and Aart, my preference is for full band (meaning keys, the two guitars and electric lead, electric bass, and drums with occasional extra percs) and more rock oriented music.
I'm not too fond of the "chill" sound or the "hiphop" influences, but when AA uses it, they do it well.
Unlike a lot of other new jazz poser artist (that's my new term for the genre, I guess ) that can lull you to sleep by the third song, AA constantly seems to toss in a startling or unexpected twist on a riff or melody, and that's what keeps them above the others- it's always interesting and engaging music, even if I don't like the "style" of it. And they aren't afraid to mix up tempos either, much less time signatures.
I'd even be ok with it if they used a sax or horn section more often, so long as it doesn't become overpowering. And the occasional duet of just Greg and Miles is great, too.
Honestly, my least favorite recent cd is Radio Contact, it just didn't "contact" me as deeply as Aart did. (Nothing's as good as your fist one...) But...I'm listening to Radio Contact right now, and it's very good- just not my favorite.
It still has that AA sound tho.

I still spin and enjoy This Way at least every couple days.

So, to say it in one line, they should sound fresh, original, and identifiable no matter what style, tempo, or instrumentation it is. I think they do that (and will continue) primarily with the nylon and steel acoustics playing double melodies or harmonies, which has always been a signature sound. And I hope they keep it up.

In fact, I'd like to see what would happen with both of them playing Stratocasters or hollow body electric Gibsons...maybe that could be the next cd's theme, more rocking and gritty.

I bet they could pull it off, and still sound like AA.

Later
TonyY

I wouldn't mind hearing them with a pair of Meloldy Makers.

Whatever genre or style the guys do; so far its all been great. From RD&SL to Arcanum (my all-time fav) to Back on the Case (Mr C's rumored favorite) to This Way; it's all great music.

Ignore the critics.

I've been working some late nights, which usually gives me a chance to listen to music for longer periods of time without interruption (and also thru my excellent in-ear monitors. Gotta love them.)

So last night, in yahoo music on my computer, I clicked on artist, AA, and play all. I had recently reloaded a lot of my mp3s and ripped cds, but I don't have much except This Way and Radio Contact on this hard drive.

I've said before that Radio Contact wasn't one of my favorites, but I have to take that back yet again. It's different, but still great, and when it's randomly (well, alphabetically) mixed in with This Way, it fits very well with it, shows the wide range of sounds and songs and styles these guys can produce.

Clearly though, there's a lot of energy/passion/authenticity/believability on This Way- I enjoy it more every time I listen, and I'd have to echo that for Radio also.

Later
TonyY