Search - Jan Akkerman :: C.U.

Just when you think you know what to expect......

Music-lover | UK | 08/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dutch virtuoso guitarist Jan Akkerman is reported to consider himself a better rhythm than lead player. This is perhaps hard to believe as many still consider his lead playing to be second to none. However, C.U. (his 23rd official album) goes a long way to revealing why Jan holds this opinion of himself. Here he teams up with members of Dutch band 'Soulvation', notably keyboard man Jeroen Rietbergen, DJ Ronald Molendijk and Michel van Schie. The result is a startling combination of melodies, rhythms, samples, fantastic musicianship and sheer joy.

The album, of nine tracks and over 60 minutes, starts with the track 'See You' which is a mixture of soul vocal samples, synthesisers, slick rhythms and beautiful guitar melodies. There is a distinctly 'Eastern' feel but please don't make the mistake of comparing this with Jan's 'Oil in the Family' album. There is far more love, care and substance here than 'Oil' which was recorded in a few hours as a bet!



We then have a couple of tracks from Jan's recent live set namely, 'In Between the Sheets' (an up-tempo version of an Isley Brothers tune which starts with a disco beat but soon moves into swinging tuneful guitar) and 'I'm in the Mood' (a relaxed guitar based song which enjoys some lovely playing from the master). Track four, 'Dance the Blues Away', is perhaps the least engaging song on the CD. A driving guitar riff is supplemented with some fine lead work but one cannot help but feel that this is the (only) 'filler' track here. Enjoyable nonetheless. Its title describes it well.



Track five, 'Cottonbay' is a beautiful melody that will satisfy those who yearn to hear Jan play songs like 'No Hang Ups', 'Prima Donna' and 'Am I Losing You'. When it comes to 'ballads', Jan is unsurpassed. His phrasing, timing and sheer feel is astonishing. He has at his fingertips the skill to move you to tears and lift you to joy in the same instant. No other guitarist, in my experience, can do this.



Track 6, 'Kloenk' (written by Rietbergen & Molendijk) wouldn't be out of place at a 'rave' and I can easily imagine a warehouse full of 18 year olds dancing to this startling mixture of rhythms and funk. The accomplished bass playing of Wilbrand (Willy) Meischke is to the fore and Jan lays down several repeating riffs over programmed drums and synths. This shouldn't work! But it does, brilliantly.



Track 7, 'Blowing', (written by Willy Meischke) starts with sampled brass sounding like an old 78 suddenly bursts into life with guitar melody and funky swing. It's addictive rhythm and melody will get you whistling for days. Then we come to 'Slow Man', perhaps the highlight of the CD which starts with an engaging rhythm and some lovely acoustic guitar (giving it a gyspy/latin feel with overtones of Django Reinhardt). Then, just when you think you have it sussed, it moves into a beautifully atmospheric 'violin style' guitar section very reminiscent of early Focus. If you are a Focus fan it will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. The track continues with some gorgeous acoustic lead before dropping back into the 'violin' section and ending with a great 'down and dirty' electric lead guitar play-out. Last up is 'Urbanstring', an ensemble piece which is in the same vein as 'Kloenk' and ends the album with style and flair. Another foot-tapper extraordinaire.



Jan and his band featured 8 out of the 9 C.U. tracks on their 2004 UK tour. (Only 'Dance the Blues Away' was missing). All the songs translated superbly into a live context and surely a 'Live' release must follow!



Just when you think you know what to expect from Jan Akkerman, he just blows you out of the water with this change of direction. C.U. is as good as anything Jan has produced in his long career. Don't miss it!



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