Cool, melodic, brazilian and latin-jazz flavoured instrumentals... straight from the source

10 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Latin Jazz, LATIN: Brazilian Jazz



Details:
Straight From The Source 2 - cool, melodic brazilian and latin-jazz flavoured instrumentals featuring Greg Walker on guitars and Pete May on piano.

RELEASED MARCH 2006

A finalist in four of the past five years' prestigious UK Songwriting Competition (including second place in the Jazz/Blues category of the 2002), Greg Walker is now making waves in the highly popular independent artists download charts at mp3tunes.com, where Straight From The Source 1 has held the No.1 position simultaneously in the overall Jazz chart, the Latin Jazz chart and the Brazilian Jazz chart - the latter, almost without break for several months.

March 2006 sees the release of the eagerly anticipated Straight From The Source 2, an album of ten new compositions by Greg Walker (guitars/other instruments) featuring Pete May (piano) and guest horn player Dave Pugh.

A couple of reviews...

"...fans of SFTS1 wonât be disappointed. Let me make this clear: not only is Straight From The Source 2 as good as the first, it is even better. It isn't just very good, itâs outstanding. Blending latin, jazz and Brazilian flavours in a rich mix that manages to be both diverse and unified, SFTS2 is assured without being brash â the playing acts as a support to the compositions which means it never becomes pretentious or self indulgent â it's just a real listening pleasure.

Given Greg Walker's insistence on refining and refining his work until he reaches a level heâs satisfied with, we canât expect a third album just yet, so savour this one. Those with a discerning musical palate will recognise theyâve got a treat in their hands. Play it once. Play it twice. Play it over and over. Youâll be smitten."


Another review:

"Where To Begin To Tell The Story Of Two Albums That I Have.
Yep, It's a love story. Beautiful playing, restrained and tasteful, gorgeous production, lovely tunes. I have a confession "I Should Know By Now" made me cry! Greg my man, why aren't you huge?! These albums are destined to become two of my favourites. My first instinct was right - 'kin brilliant!"


And another...

Your music is absolutely gorgeous. You have a command of making music that takes the knees and buckles them out from under you. It is amazing the lush sound you create on Straight from the Source 1 and 2, it is beautiful what you are writing. I can't stop listening, I have the hard copies, I have it on my iPod, I have it in the kitchen cd player, you know, everywhere music. I have an article coming up on www.juliansflight.com where I talk about your artistry (Maxwell's lounge).


and yet another...

"Beneath the simple yet striking packaging lies a superbly crafted, eminently listenable and thoroughly consistent album, different in mood from its predecessor, Straight From The Source 1. UK-based guitarist and composer Greg Walker has crafted ten supremely lyrical tunes that make this the consummate second album. His subtle programming paints a vivid musical palette, with many inspired flourishes throughout. His deft, 'clean' guitar lines (whatever guitar he chooses to play), whisk your mind instantly away to Pat Metheny's breeziest, most light-filled playing - never more so than on the intriguingly-titled 'Two Sugars For Louis', with its lovely harmonica/synth motif. There are even echoes of Acoustic Alchemy in the pristine âThe Other Side Of Hereâ. Pete Mays' contributions on piano are exquisite, and guest flugelhorn/trumpet by Dave Pugh is sublime â thereâs no other word for it.

Several tunes epitomise this album's uniqueness for me, however - real standouts. Perhaps the most striking is 'I Should Know By Now', graced by Dave Pughâs exquisite flugelhorn solo, radiating a gorgeous 'northern English' feel, redolent of lazy afternoons in the sun. Bathes you in a warm glow, does this track! Maybe it's the glorious 'As Was Wes', with subtle snare drum loop underpinning the gorgeous piano-rich melody. Or perhaps it's the superbly ambient 'And The Rain Came', where the mood is languid and more than a tad melancholy â who cares? Theyâre all delicious!

This album could well prove to be the perfect soundtrack to summer 2006 for lovers of ambient jazz."


Latest News - August 2006
I Should Know By Now reached the finals of the 'Instrumental' category UK Songwriting Contest (details at www.songwritingcontest.co.uk), the results of which were announced this week, August 9th. This makes it the fourth time in five years that I have had a composition in the finals.

This piece and my other entry in this year's competition, Two Sugars for Louis, also scored very highly in the 'peer review', a new addition to this year's competition.


MYSPACE
I now have a page at www.myspace.com which has a couple of clips of the new tunes, blogs, photos and links to other artists â please visit:

www.myspace.com/aygwm

Any other questions? Please drop me a line and I'll be happy to get back to you - and may the source be with you...


And a few reviews from SFTS1:
âWe really love all the tracks, to be honest. Great job, I can see why you are doing so well, good luck â you just picked up two fans.â
S & R Badalement Tirrell, USA

âGreg Walkerâs CD moves beautifully⦠this is simply, beautiful music, very well produced, clear, crisp, and I just love it. I hope other people take a chance. Thanks Greg, your compositions are margaritas on the beach â with big sailboats with white sails gliding by.â
M. Collins, USA

âIâve played the CD several times now and Iâm seriously impressed. This is so good to listen to. Itâs very relaxing but⦠occasionally he hits you with something very deep, and then brings you back in
the relaxed state again. Very cunning! My absolute favourite is
While Youâre Far Away, that touches something very deep inside. Thank you Greg.â
R van Geesbergen, Holland

âI purchased Greg Walkerâs Straight From the Source 1 and was really impressed. This was money well spent â it should be on the shelves in all the music stores! Some of my favorite cuts are Leeâs Summit, Some Day, While You're Far Away, and Denouement. I am definitely looking forward to Gregâs next release! People, this is GOOD music!â J Owen, USA

âSFTS1 is a brilliantly enjoyable album â and in my experience, second albums very often surpass the debut releases, so, Greg, BRING IT ON!!!!â
D Koritsas, UK

âLiking the album very much â weâve been playing it pretty much all the time over the past week or two â whenâs number 2 available?!!â
J Goodrich, UK

âIâve listened to your CD four or five times now â I particularly like the first cut. Youâre a fine player!â D Miller, USA

âHello Greg â after I come back from Argentina, I had a great surprise: your CD. Itâs a great work â are you a famous artist and I didnât know?! Last three days, your CD is in my computer, Iâm enjoying it!.â G Cides, Spain

Itâs rare that I can listen to music while Iâm working as it breaks my concentration, but Iâve really been able to enjoy SFTS1 as I sit at my desk... thank you!â S Birch, Australia


OTHER STUFF:
And if you're a lover of solo classical guitar, please take a moment to check out my friend Julian Cowie's new CD, Craigenroan and Other Tales, here on CDBaby:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/juliancowie

This album of Brazilian, Spanish, French and Scottish music for solo classical guitar, features both traditional and self-penned compositions, beautifully performed with great lyricism and feeling - buy it now!