Andy
Summers’ latest album – his first with a band in nearly a decade (aside from The
Police) and his first with vocals throughout (although not his) since his 1987
solo debut – is an excellent addition to his catalog.
The
songs, written by Summers with the exception of the non-English lyrics on about
half of the album, are a mix of bossa nova, pop, rock, and jazz, and are sung by
popular Japanese-Brazilian singer-songwriter Fernanda Takai, whom Summers met
while working on the United Kingdom of
Ipanema concert/documentary DVD with Brazilian guitar legend Roberto
Menescal.
Takai’s
warm, sultry vocals blend perfectly with Summers’typically brilliant and complex
fusion guitar leads, rhythms, and solos, and the balanced sound mix allows both
the vocals and the guitars to shine without drowning each other
out.
In
addition to acoustic and electric guitars, Summers plays keyboards and
synthesizers, and his tight, solid band includes longtime collaborator Abraham
Laboriel Sr. on bass and Marcos Suzano on drums and percussion.
Every
track is wonderful, but my absolute, instant favorite is“Falling from the Blue.”
This is what The Police might have sounded like if Takai were the vocalist
instead of Sting (I’m sure Sting still would have been the bassist). Luckily for
Sting, Takai was just a little girl when The Police first came
together.
The
melting pot of musical cultures and the outstanding performances of everyone
involved make this an exhilarating and rewarding listening experience. Andy
Summers’ fans certainly will not be disappointed.
--Raj
Manoharan
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