Reference Point

Artist: Acoustic Alchemy
Label: Grp Records
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 011105961424
EAN: 0011105961424
ASIN: B0000001R1

Release Date: 1990-07-19

Related Categories:

General

| Jazz | Styles | Music

General

| New Age | Styles | Music

General

| Pop | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz

| Jazz | Styles | Music

GRP

| Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music

Listmania:

Relaxing Music
The Most Requested Instrumentals On The Radio
Classic Contemporary Jazz

Tracks:

Reference Point
Missing Your Touch
Take Five
Same Road, Same Reason
Make My Day
Caravan Of Dreams
Homecoming
Cuban Heels
Lullaby For The First Born

Similar Items:

Back on the Case
Against the Grain
Positive Thinking
Red Dust & Spanish Lace
Early Alchemy

Customer Reviews:

The magic acoustic!.......2007-03-10

It' s always gratifying to get close into the acoustic universe of this ensemble. They are filled of renovated inspiration in every work they present. Its rich hues and inspirational sound has always something new to offer us.

Reference point, Missing your touch are the jewels of the crown Their version of the classic "Take five" is very interesting., but then pay attention to this funny to listen to and moving song Make my day with visible country allusions and spiced with rock' s echoes; Caravan of dreams matches with the supreme version of Peter White, recreated with lyric inspiration and brilliantly performed; Homecoming is a gay theme supported by percussion, drums, steel and nylon string guitar is one the best tracks of this fabulous CD, and lullaby for the first born is a splendid nest song for the arrival of baby.

This album should be part of your personal collection.

A great album.......2006-07-12

Someone--it might have been on Amazon, can't recall--claimed that Reference Point didn't live up to expectations after Acoustic Alchemy's prior album. I say, don't be ridiculous. This is one of their best. It's a little edgier than Back on the Case, which comes afterward. It also, in my opinion, comes closer to being actual jazz than any other AA album. (AA is *not* a jazz group; their influences are too diverse. They are a mainstay on smooth-jazz stations.) One of the tracks covers Dave Brubeck's jazz classic "Take Five," but reworks it into something new. Several reviewers here say their version is awful, but they're out of their minds--it's better than the original!--unless you really like the "cool jazz" style Brubeck and his group played.

Nice acoustic guitar smooth jazz duo.......2005-02-02

I remember really loving this album when I bought it a decade ago. Unfortunately, the passage of time and a new evaluation reveal I had overestimated this recording.

Acoustic Alchemy are Nick Webb and Greg Carmichael, who play acoustic nylon and steel string guitars, coupled usually with light keys, bass and percussion for a fairly average smooth jazz sound.

At its best, the riffs created by Carmichael and Webb dance out of the speakers and grab you by the ears. At worst, the music turns in soft, gauzy inoffensive aural wallpaper...the kind of music that's on in the background that you don't really pay any attention to.

High points include the brisk "Make my Day", the title track and the buoyant "Cuban Heels": probably the lowest point on here comes as the duo cover the Dave Brubeck chestnut "Take Five". A bass figure rumbling underneath suggests we may be in for a very funky rehaul of the Paul Desmond classic, but it rapidly deteriorates into a very uninspiring version that won't make anyone forget the original.

A nice one to consider if you're particularly into acoustic guitar, but not a fantastic outing overall.

3 1/2 stars

Smooooooth.......2004-06-28

Great album and all I can say is don't listen while driving, as it could be hazardous for your health!

Very relaxing and so easy to get lost in the music! Eyes tend to close and then you zone out! Great all around album!

One of my favorite jazz groups!

This is where I fell in Love.......2000-05-28

I was lucky enough to see Acoustic Alchemy perform live one Friday in 1995 and I was blown away. This album was the one I purchased that very night at their concert (by Sunday night I owned every CD they'd released). "Homecoming" was the first song of the first set and still makes me smile. I think that "Lullaby for the first born" is the finest of all the Webb/Carmichael two handers. There's not a bad track on here.

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