Into The Rainbow is a delightful album which pays tribute to Acoustic Alchemy founder Nick Webb by celebrating the beauty of the acoustic guitar. Recorded with a warm and attractive "room" sound, the album explores some of the early gems of the Acoustic Alchemy catalogue as well as some lesser-known pieces. Nylon-string virtuoso Simon James is ably assisted by a group which includes the steel-string guitarist Shane Hill and Acoustic Alchemy frontman Greg Carmichael. Together they explore all the sources of the Acoustic Alchemy sound - English folk, Flamenco, classical and jazz. There's a sheer joy in melody which is evident from an early piece like Little Bercheres - a Nick Webb bossa nova which provides an early template of the Alchemy sound - up to one of Webb's last compositions, Into The Rainbow, co-written with James. Carmichael and James collaborate on the beautiful and sensitively-played ballad, Desert Rose. But then there is the sunny exultation of the African-flavoured Starjive and the hard-swinging jazz of Crossfire, both highlighting the improvising talent of boppish saxophonist Dave O'Higgins. This thrillingly varied album is a fitting tribute to Nick Webb and a joy in it's own right. It deserves a place on the shelves of lovers of acoustic music of all kinds - and, for that matter, anyone with an ear for melody.

Tracklist:

Rosina
Dream of Fair Women
Into the Rainbow
Little Bercheres
Desert Rose
Last Summer Song
The Last Resort
Hearts in Chains
For the Moment
Sweet Soul
Starjive
Another Day
So If?
Vicki
Follys End
Crossfire

UPC: 5032427106022
Label: Prestige Elite Usa
Release Date: 1.7.13
Format: CD

Kymaera - Into The Rainbow (CD)