Metal guitarist Jimmy Caterine shifts gears with Dream Chemistry — an Arizona-based collaborative that calls its music "organic jazz." Add dashes of prog, country and world music — all driven by Caterine's six- and 12-string acoustic guitars — and that's certainly good enough for these ears.
Formed in 2007 to perform at benefits for such worthy causes as Eve's Place (a safe house for women), The Angels on Earth Healing Ministries (volunteer community outreach) and The Merritt Center (specializing in programs for military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder), Dream Chemistry now shares its imminently listenable and inspiring music with the masses via this self-titled CD that will no doubt brighten your day.
Opening cut "Morning Jazz" establishes the mood with a light acoustic guitar motif, violin solo and Ella McGee's sweet, distinct vocals. "Seven Seas" (a warm instrumental swirling in the Middle Eastern desert) and "Caught in the Act" (another instrumental ditty that practically smiles through the speakers) keep spirits high. And McGee-sung songs like "Maybe," "Are You Ready" and the breezy "Indian Wind" prove that Dream Chemistry makes memorable music with and without vocals. Despite a few flighty and aimless moments ("Hereoes in the East" and "Darque Ride"), Dream Chemistry — and Dream Chemistry — sounds timeless, as if many of these songs could have been written just as easily in the sunny Seventies as the less-optimistic Aughties.
Two untitled bonus tracks add an additional eight-and-a-half minutes of music — thereby extending the "dream" and giving listeners nearly 70 minutes of laid-back bliss.
Track Listing:
1) Morning Jazz
2) Seven Seas
3) Caught in the Act
4) Maybe
5) Heroes in the East
6) The Facade
7) Are You Ready
8) Darque Ride
9) Indian Wind
10) Breath of Fresh Air
11) The Stars