Acoustic Alchemy

Acoustic Alchemy is an English contemporary instrumental and smooth jazz^[1] band formed in England in the early 1980s (c. 1981), originally fronted by acoustic guitarists Nick Webb and Simon James. The band is currently led by Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale.

1981–1989: Early days

Acoustic Alchemy was formed around the acoustic guitars of Simon James (nylon string) and Nick Webb (steel string), often backed up by double bass, percussion, and string quartet the Violettes. The band made two albums that were unprofitable. In the mid-1980s, James left, and in the 1990s he formed Kymaera, a similar, though more Latin oriented band.

In 1985, Webb discovered Greg Carmichael, a guitarist with a London pub band called the Holloways (not affiliated with the indie band of the same name) who became James' successor. The new pairing got work as an in-flight band on Virgin Atlantic flights to and from the United States. Six weeks after sending demos to MCA Records, the band was called to record their first album, which was released in in 1987 titled Red Dust and Spanish Lace. Appearing on the album were Mario Argandoña on percussion and Bert Smaak on drums. The album was the first of many to be recorded at the Hansa Haus Studios, in Bonn, Germany, where they met sound engineer Klaus Genuit, who has worked on many of the band's albums.

Two more albums followed with MCA: Natural Elements (1988) and Blue Chip (1989). The title track from Natural Elements became was the theme music for the BBC TV program Gardeners' World.

1990–1998: Mainstream success

Acoustic Alchemy were soon moved to jazz label, GRP Records as MCA bought GRP in February 1990. Six more albums followed, starting with the Reference Point (1990), featuring a cover of "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck, and Back on the Case (1991). Webb also uncovered fourteen early tracks from 1982–1987, featuring Simon James, which were released as a compilation called Early Alchemy (1992). The New Edge (1993) and Against the Grain (1994) followed.

For their eighth album, Arcanum (1996), the band re-recorded some of its popular tracks. The album was recorded in London's Pinewood Studios with the string section of the London Metropolitan Orchestra. The collection included three new tracks, "Columbia", "Something She Said", and "Chance Meeting". Personnel on the recording was Webb, Carmichael, Sheppard, Murphy and Parsons. It was produced by Aubry "Po" Powell, who worked with Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant).

Positive Thinking (1998) was to be Acoustic Alchemy's last album with original frontman Nick Webb. It was recorded over a week's time in a Manor House near Bath, England in Monkton Combe. Recorded by Steve Jones, the musicians were Greg Carmichael (guitar), John Sheppard (drums), and Dennis Murphy (bass).

Webb was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer before working on the album and became worse throughout the project. In the end, he could only offer inspiration, as he was too weak to play at recording sessions. He died on February 5, 1998.^[2][3]

1999: Reform and changes

After Webb's death, Greg Carmichael brought in Miles Gilderdale as his partner, and the band moved label to EMI's Higher Octave Music. The debut album on the label, The Beautiful Game, (2000) was more experimental, borrowing from several genres of music. It featured the introduction of Anthony "Fred" White on keyboards.

AArt (2001) was released a year later. With assistance from saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.^[4] Their 1990 album Reference Point was also nominated for a Grammy.^[5]

Radio Contact (2003), featured the band's first track to include a vocal, "Little Laughter", performed by Jo Harrop.^[6] Harrop was a backing vocalist, found by Gilderdale while doing a session with Latin singer Enrique Iglesias.

Early in 2006, bassist Frank Felix left the band to concentrate on other projects. The position was filled by two bass players: former Incognito and Down to the Bone bassist, Julian Crampton for U.K. dates and guitarist Gary Grainger (brother of longtime drummer Greg Grainger) in the U.S.

GRP re-released a documentary-style video of Acoustic Alchemy entitled Best Kept Secret on July 25, 2006. It was released in DVD format and contained archived live and documentary footage, featuring Nick Webb. A Region Free version, for international fans, was released September 25, 2006.

This Way (2007) featured guest appearances from trumpeter Rick Braun and Down to the Bone. Roseland followed in 2011.^[7]

Discography

Singles

• "The Earl of Salisbury's Pavane", GRP Christmas album Vol. 2 (1991)

DVDs

• Sounds of St. Lucia: Live (2003)
• Best Kept Secret (2006, re-release of VHS from 1998)

Albums

References

External links

• Official website