Alternate Realities by Al Garcia

“It is the kind of music that will take you away on its storied journey.”

Al Garcia is a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays 4, 5, and 6 string fretted and fretless basses and various 6 string electric and acoustic guitars. He uses a guitar synthesizer to gain access to sounds usually unavailable to string players. Al also plays a variety of percussion instruments. He uses this varied sonic palette to create a wide variety of moods and textures.

Al's musical influences include: Allan Holdsworth, Bach, Beethoven, pianist Bill Evans, Charlie Parker, Brand-X, John McLaughlin, John Coltrane, Eric Johnson, Jaco Pastorious, Black Sabbath, Sonny Rollins, Yes, Gentle Giant, Debussy, Ravel, ELP, Jeff Berlin

Al is one of the few players who double on bass and guitar to appear in Guitar Player Magazine’s Spotlight column.

Reviews for "Alternate Realities" and "Make It So":

"A brilliant composer and guitar player, Al Garcia released what we can call an excelent example of jazz rock oriented fusion although the material on the CD goes beyond narrow classifications. Unexpected and stimulating, the music on "Alternate Realities" is a journey through the universe of jazz rock and progressive fusion blended by a master musician. From monumental compositions, lighting guitar solos, latin percussion interventions to sophisticated ethereal textures, this album has everything to delight fusion fans. "

- JazzWorldQuest.com

"Once in a long while something will cross our desks here that really captures the imagination as to what could be thought of as the perfect balance of a 'bass album' and a 'songwriter's album'. Al Garcia strikes pretty close to that ideal with his newest release, entitled Make it So. Now, this guy has got to be one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world. Killer chops and with a flawless sense of understatement ... it is a simple fact that his album Make it So is, due to its many strengths, one of the best CD's we have yet encountered in this magazine's life to date. Highly recommended! "

- Bass Inside Magazine ( Warren Murchie)

"Impeccable bass, soaring guitar, lush synth tones, ethnic percussion, and tasty drumming can all be found on Al Garcia's solo release Make It So. Al Garcia is a master bassist, and this is the best CD I have heard in quite a while... Ladies and Gentlemen, I am stunned. I cannot say enough good things about this CD. Buy it. Now!"

- Bassically.net (Scott Hubbell)

"...the music provides a depth of complexity that reaches far beyond most fusion that is being heaped out these days. At the point of this review, my feelings are that Al Garcia needs to be heard by the fusion circles that are existing today, this cd rates as some of the most well arranged instrumental music I have had the pleasure of musing over in recent years, and as for his playing? It's rare when I cannot tell a multi-tasking artist's first instrument, and in Al's case, it's really blurry to me whether he prefers the bass over the guitar, not that it matters, as his mastery of each is ever present through each song here, he displays not only true artistic expression on each instrument, but also quite a diverse arsenal of genre's are exhibited as well."

-Proggnosis Web Site (MJ Brady)

"...I can tell you that Al Garcia is going to be a household name within the fusion genre. He is one of the more proficient multi-instrumentalists I’ve had the pleasure of hearing. ...Al Garcia’s guitar playing is very much on par with Allan Holdsworth and his bass playing could be compared to any one of the greats past and present. ...I would recommend that all fusion fans get Alternate Realities today. "

-Prognaut.com (Ron Fuchs)

"If finely crafted, melodic fusion instrumentals are your bag, then I can recommend this album (Alternate Realities) to you unreservedly. Top drawer stuff!"

-The Dutch Progressive Rock Page (Bob Mulvey)

"Al Garcia performs with verve, and in this unique collection (Alternate Realities), his mastery of the guitar is apparent. His music has feeling, and it is reflected in his excellent guitar work. At all times, the listener is aware of his great talent and his love of jazz. For a jazz guitarist with an eclectic style, give Al Garcia a listen. You won't be disappointed, but delighted with this man's intriguing and enjoyable performances. Very nice!"

- JazzReview.com (Lee Prosser)

"Make It So is one of those rare jazz albums with universal appeal. Al’s playing is absolutely joyous. The positive energy he creates seems boundless. I recommend this album to all music lovers, from the hardcore jazzer to the hardcore rocker. It may sound sappy, but I don’t care: this album will make you feel good... The album is of such even high quality that it’s difficult to pick favorites. There are no stinkers on this album; you get great music from start to finish... The compositions communicate a joy, a love of music. The mood they convey is akin to that of Eric Johnson, Allan Holdsworth, and Jeff Berlin. Uplifting. Positive. Good, in the best sense of the word.

9.5 out of 10 Keyboards."

- Prog4you.com (Jeffrey Ryan Smoots)

"...Garcia brilliantly paces the (almost) all-instrumental Alternate Realities — allowing the music to become more animated and adventurous as the disc’s 57 minutes unwind. ..one dexterous man who appears to be equally skilled on any instrument he touches. "

-ProgressiveEars.com (Michael Popke)

"Dans ‘Alternate Realities’, Al Garcia combine parfaitement des éléments de jazz-rock fusion, rock progressif, quelques touches de classique, jazz, latino, space rock et électro. Une magnifique ouverture sur le monde musical d’aujourd’hui et d’hier. Inventif à souhait ! Un album instrumental

au charme indéniable."

- www.backstageradionews.be.tf (Salvatore BALDACCHINO)

"Al Garcia wants to prove that the bass is not only a rhythm instrument, and that jazz and fusion are not dead; and reaches both objectives in such a masterful way that no more doubts can arise about either topic. Rating: 10 out of 10"

- MovimentiProg.net (Marco Piva)

"It is a very satisfying release sure to please bass centered and general jazz fans alike. A very tastefully done, well balanced jazz release sure to spend a lot of time in your player. Recommended. Rating: 5/5 "

- ProgressiveWorld.net (Stephanie Sollow)

"This cd is a must for fusion fans, and proves that melody and improvisation can go hand in hand."

-Keys and Chords(Patrick Van de Wiele )

"Guitarist Al Garcia shows us that Fusion Jazz is far from dead... It is the kind of Jazz that will take you away on it’s storied journey."

- ContemporaryJazz.com

"Fusion has long been castigated by those who prefer acoustic jazz or mistake it with the recent smooth music. Al Garcia on Alternate Realities shows that there is plenty of creativity and life to be found in creative fusion. Alternate Realities is recommended.."

- L.A. Jazz Scene (Scott Yanow)

"Garcia is an impeccable bassist and guitar player... This record will take you back on an interstellar journey to the glory days of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jack Bruce, and Return to Forever."

-Turk's Head Review

"Al Garcia is a master of the bass guitar, and he uses it to great advantage on this original collection of songs he composed. The music has wide appeal and will be enjoyable by all jazz groups. His technique for playing is flawless, and he makes every note soar with beauty. If you want something new in contemporary jazz sounds, take several listens to Al Garcia's performances in the collection MAKE IT SO. Top performances by one of the fine young guitars now performing. Likeable. Unique. "

- JazzReview.com (Lee Prosser)

... he weaves tasteful tendrils of fusion heat without kissing the sneakers of Jaco and Stanley. An excellent offering from an artist to watch.

- All About Jazz (Todd Jenkins)

"One of our new favorites here at abstractlogix. Al Garcia has successfully fusioned classical , jazz and rock elements into this brilliant record. The diversity of sound, stunning compostions and technical display is very vivid. Al paints colorful textures with his thumping bass playing and he is a heck of a guitar player too. A must listen for all music fans."

- AbstractLogix.com

"Al Garcia has put together a very enjoyable collection of delectable fusion tracks rooted in savvy stylisms.

... the depth and sophisticated tonality of the compositions will surely appeal to a wide audience of jazz and fusion fans."

- Eclectic Earwig Reviews (Chris Ruel)

"Rarely have I heard a musician that can double on the bass and guitar with the proficiency that I am hearing from Al Garcia... If you are a lover of the bass, jazzfusion, and Holdsworthian guitar, Al Garcia has a cd for you to check out..."

- Prognosis Web Site (MJ Brady)

"It is sound for those who enjoy the technical skills of playing the sounds which is becoming rare around us."

- CyberFusion

"...a solid lesson in the untapped riches of the bass."

- Splendid (Justin Kownacki)

" 9 out of 10 stars"

- Muzika.Bosnia.Ba (Branimir Bane Lokner)

"The music overall could be called fusion, but it is pretty wide-ranging as far as moods and grooves go. The leader's colorful playing, the wide textures that he creates, and the very professional feel of the privately produced CD is quite impressive. Well worth searching for."

- All Music Guide(Scott Yanow :author of Afro-Cuban Jazz, editor of All Music Guide to Jazz, contributor to Downbeat, Jazz Times, Cadence, and other periodicals)

"Alfred's unique composing style incorporates classical elements with fusion chops, the end result sounding like a cross between Beethoven and Allan Holdsworth's I.O.U. His bass playing should appeal to fans of Jeff Berlin ... his guitar style might attract fans of Holdsworth."

- Guitar Player Magazine

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