Al Garcia serves up a
heaping helping of straight-ahead fusion playing guitar and bass
on his 2002 release Make It So.
The effort is centered around Garcia's tactful arrangements
comprised of jazzy chordal voicings, grooving bass lines, and
aggressive yet refined guitar work that is reminiscent of Al Di
Meola. Garcia strikes a good balance between progressive jazz
elements and coherent composition with easily accessible
motifs.
The title Track, "Make
It So", is a tasty composition that balances fluid movement,
delicately phrased progressions, and aggressive soloing to
contrast. "Cloud Ten" follows with its savory melodies
that explore progressive tonality that conjures memories of Frank
Gambale's searing harmonic melodies. The well-conceived chordal
phrasings on "The Heart of the Matter" indulge in tasty
tonal exploration that is voiced with crystalline guitar tones
that illuminate the incandescent harmonization. "Communique"
features a Spanish-flavored melodic theme that is articulated
with xylophone-ish instrumentation again reminiscent of the Al Di
Meola world music style instrumental texturing. "Communique"
is a stylish composition that centers around its classy themes
that require only a single listening for the listener to latch
onto.
Al Garcia has put together
a very enjoyable collection of delectable fusion tracks rooted in
savvy stylisms. Though the arrangements are focused on refinement
more than aggression, the depth and sophisticated tonality of the
composition will surely appeal to a wide audience of jazz and
fusion fans.
| Guitars, Bass |
Al Garcia |
| Midi Drums |
Dean Rohan |
| Tabla, Kanjira |
Chris Garcia |
| 1) Make It So |
| 2) On Cloud Ten |
| 3) The Unexpected
Answer |
| 4) The Heart of the
Matter |
| 5) Menuet |
| 6) Communique |
| 7) Harmonic Sketch
#1 |
| 8) Driving Through Krystal
Town |
| 9) Natural Knowledge |
| 10) Journey to the Center of
the Earth |
| 11) A Bird in the Hand /
Mosaic |
| 12) Once Upon a
Dream |
~ Christopher
Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris Ruel's Monthly Spotlight
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