BARCELONA “Although Jamie Rhind and I have not met in real life, not yet I should say, I feel I know him for years and years. We are strongly connected when it comes to music and appreciation for the styles we are both playing in. We have done over an album of music together ever since Jamie invited me to play on his track Together, which features 23 musicians from 12 countries. That was 1.5 year ago. Modern digital technology and the world wide web have brought all of us together. Now with an incredible catalogue of original music Jamie has created this wonderful album, hand picked by Jamie himself. It shows a versatility beyond boundaries. Jamie’s roots are in Blues and Jazz, and Classical music. Starting out as a classically trained pianist and clarinet player Jamie took up the style of improvised music infused with the sounds of Fusion, Latin, Rock, Jazz Rock, Funk, R’n’B, Gospel, and so much of that sweet seventies and eighties music. Playing in bands and at jams trained him in improvising and it shows in the music. Using his keyboards and the fantastic possibilities of modern digital technology (MIDI) Jamie manages to create the sounds of entire bands on his own. You will be stunned to hear him play with ease and convincingly all the instruments including the right touch and feel for tone and note choice. This album is a great collection of all those qualities in pleasing, heartwarming and engaging music.” – Dan van den Berg, Rotterdam December 5, 2015 Smooth To The Touch: Jamie is a great fan of Herbie Hancock and it shows in this track. Indeed it is smooth but warm like a beautiful summer eve. Jamie’s light touch on piano is wonderful here, gently playing around a strong upright bass driven groove. Bliss... Barcelona: What can I say... Thanks Jamie! Jamie mentions in the liner notes he wrote this wonderful melancholic Flamenco infused track as a tribute to great Spanish inspired guitarists: Paco de Lucia, Al DiMeola, and my humble person, as well as his former Jazz teacher Emily Remler. This song is a great example of how convincing Jamie can mimic the sounds of the guitar on his keyboards. Just try to catch those little quotes of Paco de Lucia’s music in there, from Entre dos Aquas to Rio Ancho. Wonderful track that will actually make you feel like being there in Spain, in Barça. Misty: A swinging version of the classic standard of Erroll Garner’s 1954 Misty. It is faster paced than the original but Jamie complete puts it in the right mood with warm string-like synths in the background and the wonderful warm sounds of a Hammond organ which tells the story of love in a way like Jamie’s talking to us... Gospel Blues: A great mix of Blues and Gospel here with Jamie playing his “acoustic guitar” that interweaves with the sounds of a vintage Rhodes. Jamie rightfully mentions Ray Charles as an inspiration here. A great comment for the feel of this track could be that Segovia walked into an American church and joined in on a celebration of Gospel. Pythagoras: This is one of my all time favorites from Jamie. Fusion at it’s best. A clear resemblance to McCoy Tyner’s typical modal piano style of groove and playing which sets the stage for a flute like synth that just flies trough the air. A typical element of Jamie’s music can be heard in the voices in the background that slowly progress along the scale up and down. A very uplifting track that for me could have easily lasted 10 minutes. My Romance: Jamie at his most romantic... The 1935 Richard Rodgers Jazz standard is stripped down to the essence, just like hearing a guitarist in the street playing outside of church to the harmonies of a choir singing inside. A beautiful rendition that can drive the cold winter away... That Empty Feeling: A slow straight up Blues for a winter day. Jamie chooses just the right instruments here with a sharp cutting guitar in the back and some vibes, piano and organ dancing slowly around each other. It leaves me far from feeling empty, but it wouldn’t be the Blues if there weren’t something to feel blue about... Black Orpheus Manha de Carnaval: Another Jazz Classic here, written by Luiz Bonfa. A bossa nova for a 1959 movie set in Rio for that famous Carnaval festival. A straight beat replaces the bossa groove to have Jamie’s Rhodes and vibes sounds evoke all the warm good enticing Latin feelings this beauty of a track holds. Hammond Eggs: A summer tune with a strong groove that as the title already says has some sweet Hammond eggs for you to find. Jamie’s celebrating summer to the fullest using a Jazz meets down-home Gospel groove. Some of Jamie’s Chicago inspired tones are showing here. Taj: Starting out with a very modern almost Trip Hop feel this track has a Middle Eastern vibe to it. A modal piece that allows Jamie to experiment with Eastern European, Northern African and Middle Eastern sounds. Leaving us here with an open end. And rightfully so because with Jamie we can expect so much more to come…