Tones of the Tropics

Terri England | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 1, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inglaterra Musica
• ASIN: B000R9RGOW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #669,139 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Guitarist Terri England begins her multi-instrumentalist album, "TONES OF THE TROPiCS ", by laying off the guitar - the main instrument that leads every track of the album except the first, "Vera's Cruise". Not that we're complaining, just noticing the unobtrusive nature of England's music and record. When the guitar makes its appearance it is with the melodic line in track 2, "Spring". The guitar is subtle, important, and understated - and the hollow tone of the nylon string guitar provides character to the apt guitar technique. There is an acceleration of guitar presence occurring, and it continues to build with the third track, "Setembro Sunrise". This time the instrumental has Latin guitar rhythm in the left channel while jazz guitar ala Howard Roberts populates the melody within its own frequency space. One of the most appealing aspects of England's music is not just that she performs all of it, but that the guitar tones and timbres run the gamut - nearly a lesson in what a tonal treat and mélange of guitars can be stirred into a record's ingredients. As the warm up continues to grow into more aggressive pieces, track 4, "Moonlit Mood", continues in the vein with ambitious chordal repaginated creations in the break. It is here that we begin hearing England's level of fine technique. The composition is fairly straight-ahead yet England takes liberties with rhythm and syncopation that make the track interesting. The guitar climax comes in the softer unobtrusive cut (track 7), "Just Before Sunset", as the shy heroine of the six-string comes out of the shell of obscurity and performs a guitar solo piece. The touch and beauty have been hinted at during the pervious tracks, and now appears in full. The album is a lesson in the intentional pacing that will always be an art form in the order of song choice within an album. Indeed, it is the very difference between a musical journey and short abrupt trips. England's intent here is clearly on the journey, and she takes the listener on a relaxing enjoyable day of guitar and instrumental music that takes a few road directions from (Pat) Metheny in the process. --Don Kimenker, Founder - earBuzz.com