Hi,

I happened to stumble across this album at a Borders Music store and gave it a listen... it has some original tunes by Nick Webb, and an appearance by Mr c. It is a by an artist named Kymaera whom i have never heard of, but the CD has some nice tunes... I was wondering if anybody (Kat? Stewart?) knows anything about this CD?

(though i think the some of the songs are scrambled on the Amazon site... Like Hearts in Chains... don't remember it being that way at the record store)

Here is a link to Amazon if anybody would like to check it out:

Frank,
Kymaera is a band fronted by Simon James, Nick's original AA partner. Simon left in 1984(5?) and was replaced by non other than Mr. C. - and the rest, as they say, is history...
Bob

Check this out. These were flat black discs measuring about 12" across and spun at 33 and one third revolutions per minute on a moving platform called (I believe) a "turntable." I think they were called "records"
http://www.magicisland.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=000009

Hey Bob,

Thanks for the feedback... very interesting. So, is this a new release, or a re-release of an older album? (yes, those black frisby looking objects... still have a few of them... kept my technics turntable just for special occasions.. )

Fun to explain these old devices to my 6yr old sometimes... so much instant gratification these days!

Frank,
It appears to be a re-release of the original 2001 release, which has a different cover than the one on Amazon. I have a copy of the older one, signed by Greg.
Bob
http://entertainment.circuitcity.com/Music/Album.aspx?prodid=STRJ1015.2&si=ccity-prod&store=Music

More on Simon James:
Simon James is an English acoustic guitarist and an original member of Acoustic Alchemy. After leaving the band, he later went on to form Kymaera, a Latin-style contemporary jazz band.

Simon James was born in York, England, and educated at Ampleforth College, North Yorkshire, Leeds College of Music, and Trinity College of Music, London. In 1981 he attended the first Master Class in Flamenco to be given by Paco Peña in Cordoba, and this traditional art from Spain became a very strong influence in his music clearly present in the Early Alchemy recording.

A founder member of the band Acoustic Alchemy (1980), he appeared with them at Ronnie Scott's and the Purcell Room, London in 1983. In 1984/85 he and Nick Webb began a long and successful collaboration with the actress Sylvia Syms on a series of shows combining poetry and music (The Female Principle, If This Be Love, Mothers And Daughters, Love Lust And We All Make Mistakes).

In 1987 Simon James formed his own publishing company, Designer Music Ltd., to develop the compositional side of his work, which eventually led to the creation of the band Kymaera in 1998.

‘Into The Rainbow,’released in June 2001, and featuring Greg Carmichael from the present Acoustic Alchemy, was a tribute to his old partner Nick Webb who died in February 1998.

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_James_%28musician%29"
Bob

Bob... you are a veritable font of knowledge...

I guess this explains some of the "flamenco and latin roots" of the earlier AA offerings.... "Red Dust and Spanish Lace" an obvious one...

Do you own or recommend any of Kymaera's CD's?

(I know, Kat, this is an AA BBS.... just being curious... :p )

No - I haven't heard any others. I was just interested in the Nick Webb/AA connection.

Kymaera's other releases: two in 1998: 'Rio Moods' (MCI), a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim; the second (title?)on the Prestige Jazz label consisted of the music of George Michael; a third, 'Careless Whispers' (MCI) was released in September 1998. 'Into The Rainbow’ was released in 2001. The original ‘Into The Rainbow’ has now been combined with unreleased tracks, re-mastered and due for release in January 2007 by Sheridan Square Records in the USA. (this must be the one on Amazon)

As you noted, we'd better end this thread because it's somewhat off-topic - and I wouldn't want to suffer the wrath of Ms. Moderator!
Best,
Bob

no issues... you can keep talking... you have the connection via Nick Webb's legacy.... and Simon James' connection to AA.

now if you wanted to start talking about Def Leppard, I might have to remind you this is an AA board !

Ah yes Kat but i can talk about Def Lep cos they were first signed to Polygram in my office !!! so that wouldnt be off topic !

I knew you would see my comment (co-Moderator) ... .... glad you shared it!

They say you learn something everyday. Now I learnt something about Def Leppard. "Into the rainbow" sounds intriguing. I'll have to have a look for it.

I came across a 1992 interview with Nick and Greg, and since we're discussing a bit of history here, I thought it might be of general interest.
http://www.solidairrecords.com/AMR_interviews/alchemy.html

Now that I have Stewart's blessing, I'll be posting some historical notes on Def Leppard shortly.
Bob

Nice link, Bob.... i will have to read the whole thing tonite (while not at work!)

As far as Def Leapord, you might want to begin a new thread for that one! But watch out for Kat!

ok... how about no Motorhead, aka the world's loudest band?

Well...Lemmy Kilmister knows a guy whose cousin was in a movie with Kevin Bacon. The Director's sister-in-law has a copy of Blue Chip. Does that count??
Bob

Hey Bob,

Well, i let curiosity get the best of me and i picked up this CD at the local Barnes and Noble this weekend for like 12 bucks.

You know, it is a catchy CD... the similarity to early AA is pretty wild! Almost eerie! There are a few cuts that werent my favorite, but for the most part, it is a very listenable (is that a word?).

For AA fans, this is a nice pickup, if for nothing else but for the pure nostalgia, the tribute, and genuine sound of early AA....

There's a Double CD in HMV that I've seen of original 'smooth jazz' tracks over half of which are performed by Kymaera, can't remember the title but it's orangey in colour and was in the compilation section...might be worth a listen...

Following the comments of others her in this board, I bought the CD as well and I must say that some of the early AA tunes (like "Hearts in Chains", "Little Bercheres", "Dream of Fair Woman", "Into the Rainbow") are very good. Their own compositions (which they say have been written in the spirit of Aocustic Alchemy) stay a little behind.

What bothers me is the poor quality of the cover. I don't know who wrote the liner notes, but within just a few lines they manage to give Simon James three different names: Simon James, Simon Webb (!) and Simon Ward. Also the fact that they are trying to attract AA fans with this album is a bit too obvious from the text.

Instead of extensive bios of the band members it would have been better to list the musicians for each track. Therefore we can only guess on which tracks Greg Carmichael is playing, which is a pity.

Apart from that it is very enjoyable music, Simon James is an excellent nylon string player and fans of the early AA will love this record.

Mathias

The 2001 release includes liner notes written by Simon James in September, 2000 (probably why his name is spelled correctly throughout). Mr. C does a solo on the opening track "Rosina" and co-wrote "Desert Rose" with Simon (not clear if he also plays on it).
http://entertainment.circuitcity.com/Music/Album.aspx?prodid=STRJ1015.2&si=ccity-prod&store=Music

Bob

You can pick up a copy of the original for as low as $7.00 on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m/103-...=6&Go.y=9&Go=Go

Bob

Looks like I have a different edition (I have the one with the blue cover (edition 2007). Also the order of the tracks seems to be different, since the opening track on the 2007 edition is "Desert Rose".

Hi Moose,

I saw your reply, refererence the Kymaera "compilation" album that you spotted. It's called California Dreamin'. It contains a number of good covers of pop classics such as (surprise, surprise) California Dreamin'. About a third of the double disc features Kymaera. As I've put this album on a music server, which doesn't allow me to title artists on compilation albums, I can't remember who else is featured on the disc. I think I paid about a fiver (10$) for it, which makes it OK value, however it is definitely NOT a "must buy" for Alchemy fan, as for the most part, it could be described as "lift (elevator) music"

With regards to the Into the Rainbow album, as a long time AA fan, especially one who loves the "Early Alchemy" album, I bought this, however, I was a little disappointed.

It certainly does not reach the standards of the earliest Alchemy Albums (RD &SL, Natural Elements etc). Comparing the tracks that feature on both Into the Rainbow and Early Alchemy, there's no doubt in my mind that the Early Alchemy versions are superior.

PS For you UK fans who have not been lucky enough to get a copy of This Way at a local gig, HMV do have it for sale at 6.99. I know from Stewarts' previous post that this is meant to be a full price album, however, it looks like HMV have gummed up and are selling the album cheap.
I received my copy in the UK today - I can't wait until I return on Wednesday to hear it for the first time. From the reviews I've read it sounds like a winner.

Regards

Mike

Having enjoyed the work of Acoustic Alchemy for many years now, I feel rather proud that some of their earliest compositions are now being used and covered by other excellent jazz and blues musicians. There can be no greater accolade for a composers output (in this case Nick Webb's), then ones compositions being treated as jazz standards - just like some of Pat Metheny’s tunes are now in jazz fake books.

The two most important guitar players Nick ever worked with in his life: Greg Carmichael and Simon James, are featured on Into The Rainbow, paying tribute to his melodies. Moreover, the bass player: Dave Markee has had the privilege to record with Albert Lee and Eric Clapton, which must add kudos to Nick's music and legacy.

The only thing I particularly noticed was the slightly more jazzy approach Kymaera seem to have towards the material. So I researched a bit about Shane Hill, Simon James's musical partner on this album. I learnt that not only did he study with guitar legend Tal Farlow but also wrote a book about him. So this perhaps explains some of the influences behind his solos.

Sax is delivered by Dave O'Higgins, who also played in the band Spirit Of Django perhaps Martin Taylor's most successful outfit ever. Anyway, really hope other Alchemy fans find this album as interesting as I do. I feel proud that Nick's music is attracting interest from musicians who have studied and worked with many of the guitarists that Nick himself held in high esteem. I hope more covers from other instrumentalists happen as a result of this tribute album.