Finding
your voice as a musician is not unlike finding yourself in life- just when you
think your there something or someone kicks your ass to whatever level that's
coming to you. Rik Emmett's had his fair share of crossroads- leaving well known
rock band Triumph in 1988 and completely turning his back on the pretension of
the biz. With Handiwork Emmett has graduated to a level he himself might not have
imagined but it's certainly a league he belongs in. The nay-sayers might have
thought he was nuts throwing out Triumph but this new cd proves that rock was
just the opening act for a career that firmly found its voice. This album covers
the Smooth Jazz/Jazz/New Age ground. Emmett creates an atmosphere usually reserved
for ground breaking debuts albums and interestingly it's totally instrumental.
The catchy toe tappin' hooks are everywhere on this cd starting with opening track
Full Sail, a little George Benson/Wes Montgomery inspired ditty of positive Smooth
Jazz . It does what any albums opening track should do hypnotize and leaves a
hunger of wanting more and more there is. The Celtic/folk inspired Two Jigs captures
"the simple childhood joy of how the freedom of a Saturday morning felt"
says Emmett you'll find it comforting and relaxing. Libre Animado has a hurricane
Latin feel that turned into a "Gypsy Kings-meets-The Allman Brothers thing"
says Emmett while experimenting in the studio. He even credits old Triumph songs
like Hold On" and "Magic Power" for some juice on the reflective
Autumn Turns. Another Rainbow, a dedication to dead friend has almost a quiet
sixties soundtrack feel wrapped around a gentle melancholy melody. Like his previous
albums like Swing Shift and Raw Quartet Rik Emmett proves that when a musician
enjoys what he does it's pretty damn groovy for us the listeners also. Even though
this is easily the best Canadian instrumental album this year this album needs
no salesman, it's too good to be ignored, and it'll find its audience. Also this
month look for a new 'best of' collection from Rik Emmett part of their 20th Century
Masters Millennium collection on Universal records. - by John
Beaudin
Want
to volunteer for 'Smooth Jazz Now' email us here
