Brothers Source K Adachi and Ryusuke Adachi make up Adachi Kyodai. Xianshi is a two acoustic guitar duet CD containing 8 original tracks, 2 covers ("Wond'ring Aloud" by Jethro Tull and "Chance Meeting" by Roxy Music.
The songwriting and playing on Xianshi are excellent, but to be honest, you can only be creative for so long with two complimentary guitars. Even Al Di Meola sounds better when playing with a bass player or rhythm section. And although talented, these musicians are not in DiMeola's class. "Magpie A Gigue" has some nice improvisational interludes, but gets stale by the time it's 4:00 minutes are up. "Ambush" is a mellower tune that allows for a nice counter melody to be played over the top of the main line. "Wond'ring Aloud" brings a focused effort, and the only song with lyrics, but just doesn't quite hit the right marks.
Adachi Kyodai play a style of free-form jazz, but the gypsy interludes basically keep this from being creative enough to be interesting jazz. If you love the Spanish guitar sound, and can't get enough nylon string manipulating, then you might want this CD. Otherwise it probably isn't worth the effort.
Track Listing
1. Sister Come 8:47
2. Slow Poison 3:33
3. Magpie A Gigue 4:00
4. Night Dance 2:53
5. Chance Meeting 4:53
6. Ambush 2:09
7. In The Howling Wood 7:20
8. Sailor's Hornpipe / Steppin' Out 1:27
9. Her Holly Stumbling Block 3:36
10. Wond'ring Aloud 2:35
11. Hard Line 6:36