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Reviewer: Chris Ruel
Review Date: April 2003
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.