The guitar has always been a major part of music. From classical to folk, rock, country, metal and blues, and whether the sound is clear or distorted, the guitar has been used to lead the way.
Even the album-rock movement bred pioneer instrumental guitarists - Journey's Neal Schon and Jefferson Starship's Craig Chaquico, for instance. They epitomize the San Francisco hard-rock scene, yet both have let loose intricate jazz/new age guitar albums.In the same vein, guitarists Joaquin Lievano and Adrian Gurvitz - known for their work in bands Zazen and the Baker Gurvitz Army, respectively - have released new albums very much in step with contemporary jazz and acoustic sounds.
- ON "ECOLOGIE," Leivano sends out a smooth mixture of acoustic and light electric guitars backed by keyboards and fretless basses, with most of the instruments performed by him.
True to its title, the album takes on a naturalistic feel with open guitars and cloudlike wisps of keyboard. The songs are thoughtful musical translations of the circle of life.
The music creates the atmosphere. Among the metal-string guitar-laden tracks are "Desert Winds," the mystical "Blue Dolphin" and an exotic "Asia." As its title suggests, "Scottish Highlands Melody" brings to mind rolling hills.
Leivano gives life to his tunes with nimble fingers and mellow tones. Sometimes, however, cuts bring to mind Pink Floyd's sonorous picking as heard on that band's most recent studio album, "Division Bell," and the live album "Pulse." Parts of "Coral Sea" and "Symbiosis" recall the Floyd's "Coming Back to Life."
Still, "Ecologie" is a great album to listen to while sipping hot cocoa on a stormy night.
- GURVITZ'S MUSIC leans more toward contemporary jazz. He even manages to mix in a little world flavor, taking listener with him on moving and sometimes nostalgic escapades.
Opening with the flamenco-inspired "The Journey," Gurvitz makes his way through the hills of Valencia and dabs a little blues on the scene. Another Latin-laced tune is "De l'Amour."
All the cuts are autobiographical. "Eric's Song," for instance, was written for Gurvitz's father-in-law the day he had a stroke. (He has since recovered). "Sorry Sadie" is a nod to his golden retriever, blamed for burying the house keys. (The keys were eventually found in the sofa). And the final cut, "Coming Home," feels just like it should - comfortable, safe and inspirational.
Other tracks include the reverent "A Place in Heaven," the joyful and exciting "First Love" and the spacious "The World Tonight."
"Acoustic Heart" is another album to drift with, either alone or with someone special.
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.