Customer Reviews

Shadow And Light

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an excellent record by a very fine guitarist working at the top of his form. I think its regretable that this music has to be pegged as smooth jazz or new age music. It rocks a little harder than most music in either of those genres, and it is so close to the instrumental rock music of Carlos Santana or the jazz fusion of the Pat Metheny Group that it is not clear why one artist is labeled rock, the next smooth jazz and another jazz.

Almost all the well composed songs on this fine album are upbeat, with an almost mystical sense of joy. The music makes me feel good, or compliments a good mood.

This is not the kind of deeply emotional or deeply soulful music found on a great jazz album like A Love Surpreme. On the other hand, it is not cold or clinical music. It is more like a beautiful sunny day at noon. It is clear and bright and cheerful. It lacks the kind of deep soulfulness that one finds at sunset or on a moonlit night. Nevertheless, the music is not trite. It has depth and real feeling. But rather than being deeply emoitional, it has the feeling one would associate with a very good mood on a beautiful day. Nothing wrong with that!

The band on this album is excellent, but most of the time one focuses only on Chaquico's playing. I don't find myself listening for the delicate interplay of the kind one finds on a good jazz album, but only for the glorious, soaring, and brilliantly executed guitar solos that Chaquico lays down one after another.

The other big sell is the great melodies which abound on this album. There are no bad tracks on this album, and most of them have stronger hooks and a better beat than the average pop song.

To give an album like this five stars would make it impossible to give appropriate credit to the truly transcendant albums that come along at most once or twice a year. Nevertheless, I don't see how this album could deliver much more within the bounds of its genre. It stands head and shoulders above the vast majority of music being released today, and will definitely please fans of other Craiq Chaquico albums, and most fans of Pat Metheny's jazz fusion albums.

It's been a long wait for Craig Chaquico fans, like myself, waiting patiently for a disc of new material from the New Age-Jazz legend, but after listening to Chaquico's first recording in four years you'll find that it was well worth the wait.
"Shadow and Light" is one of Chaquico's finest outings yet. Once again produced by himself and Ozzie Ahlers this disc triumphs. His seventh disc has both acoustic and electric guitar on four of the ten tracks.
From the opening track "Innocent Kiss" to the final track, a remix of his #1 hit "Cafe Carnival" off his greatest hits disc "Panorama" you'll find no better new New Age-Smooth Jazz disc out there. My personal favorites are tracks five and six "Keepers of the Flame" and "Afterglow".
This CD is a must have for new age, jazz and Chaquico fans alike. Get it!

Listen up, this is for all fans of acoustic guitar music. Higher Octave presents superb acoustic performances blending funk, rock, smooth jazz. Solid elements of compassion gives each tune their own signature. At times this can be down right hot with melodic counterpoints "up in your face" expressions, don't get me wrong this is what gives Chaquico his edge, he is an original and not a carbon-copy.

As usual, there are stand outs, so here goes ~ "WESTSIDE HOTEL", very gentle as Craig blends smooth rhythms, with a touching sax covering all exits ~ "LUMINOSA", talk about the latest craze of "smooth jazz" with a latin beat, this one shows you why he is the "Best Instrumental Guitarist of the Year", I know he's got my vote.

But the highlight has to be ~ "COMPARED TO WHAT", a hot-sassy arrangement featuring Warren Hill (sax), Jeff Kashiwa (sax), Kevin Palaldini (sax) an innovative style from Craig on a higher plain with vocal thrown in, what a turn on track this is ~ "HURRY HOME", great finger-work by Craig, a six minute "get down" funky blues tapped with themes that brings the whole gang into the thick of things, Ozzie Ahler's groove on the organ is out there, gotta love it ~ "CAFE CARNIVAL", this sax in the sun remix pulls out all the stops, it's party time at the carnival, and this track puts you smack-dab-in-the-middle!

Craig has come a long way since "Acoustic Highway", always with fresh new ideas...blending funky blues, rock and jazz into one fabric of lush sounds. Imagination and pure talent takes
the listener into the realm that always hits the mark...and "fellow-music-lovers"...this album is a keeper.

Total Time: 49:58 on 10 Tracks ~ Higher Octave HOMCO-12142 ~ (2002)

This new CD by Craig Chaquico has truly been worth the wait. He weaves his magic once again with incredible guitar techniques all woven into some incredible songs such as Innocent Kiss, Luminosa, Afterglow, Could We Fall in Love and so many other great songs. We also get to hear his vocal ability displayed in Compared to What in which he's joined by Warren Hill and Jeff Kashiwa on sax. This CD is the perfect balance of fast songs, love songs and songs with a different twist...all signatures of the great artist that he is.

Go out and get this great CD...you will love it too!

Just attended a concert where Craig played several selections from his latest album. As always, seeing him in person perform and explain the background to each piece makes it come alive. I've played the album every day since the concert and appreciate it even more then when waiting to see him play! I find myself humming the catchy themes throughout the day. A sure-fire winner for Chaquico fans.

Craig Chaquico is a fine guitar player who has made his signature trademark on his cool-like guitar playing!Chaquico has risen to the level of expert guitar playing thanks to his constant song writing, playing ability and uniqueness.On this CD, he uses both acoustic and electric guitar on his songs.These songs are a mix of jazz to latin with a spice of pop and rock and just a little of fusion.

Innocent Kiss-Nice song to start the 10 song journey.This is typical Chaquico because of the slow to mid tempo que.It is a memorable melody.

Westside Hotel-This is an upbeat, happy song.This song makes me think of the good times I have had in my life.Saxophonist Kevin Paladini does a good job playing on this song.All in all a very good song.

Luminosa-This hit single that struck around all radio stations in the USA is a sexy song to hear whenever you are feeling down.Always puts me in a better mood.Once again Paladini's sax is a nice touch to this song.Great song!!!

Hurry Home-This is an up tempo piece which just shows off Chaquico's guitar playing ability.When saxophonist Kevin Paladini jumps in, it turns into a major jam.This song is full of energy.

Keepers Of The Flame-Did you like "Hurry Home"?Well, I hope you did.This is a perfect song to hear after you just heard that uplifting song.This song is very relaxing and well played out.

Afterglow-My opinion about this song is that it is very romantic.It is a beautifully composed song and I just love it.This song gives you hope and shows you that there IS light at the end of the tunnel after all!

Shadow And Light-This song reflects the ups and lows of life.Very memorable song.

Could We Fall In Love-My personal favorite song from this CD.It has a bit of western influence.God, I love the way Chaquico plays the guitar on this song.

Compared To What-The only song with vocals on this CD.Warren Hill & Jeff Kashiwa join Chaquico on an explosive version of "Compared To What" complete with vocals and rock guitar.

Cafe Carnival(remix)-This is a nice remix from the original hit song.Very sexy and spanish-like.A nice ending for a perfect CD.

All in all, this is a very well put CD, which deserves its high rating and if I could rate this CD higher, I would.This CD is complete with pop,jazz and fusion.This CD is a must have for new age, jazz and Chaquico fans alike.I love this cd and I would get it if you are a Chaquico fan.

Total Time: 49:58 on 10 Tracks ~ Higher Octave HOMCO-12142 ~ (2002)

a perfect album..especially track 6..afterglow..his guitar takes me away..bravo craig..and thank you to make me listen your music.

I listened to this CD on a United Airlines in-flight jazz channel on my way to a Las Vegas convention in 2002. I was immediately hooked by the smooth jazz & new age flavor. Chaquico has a great guitar sound. I was impressed by some of his other tracks on previous albums, but I never heard one of his CD's as a whole. This was a great experience and eveytime I hear this album, I think of the great time I had in Vegas. Well Recommended!!

I love this CD. For the first couple weeks after I bought it, it was the first CD I played every morning to wake up to. This CD just sounds good. Put it on kick back and enjoy.

This was my introduction to the music of Craig Chaquico. I have since purchased 2 more of his works.

Bought this because I heard the title single and thought it was a catchy little tune. As is all too common the rest of the album is crap. Smooth Jazz elavator music at best. No thought or inspiration just some lame mediocre tracks. If you like the title track spend a buck and download it from Itunes or somewhere. Save the rest of your $$. I listened to it once and had my wife list it here to sell.