ALKYMIA

Alkymia

Alcione (1998)

review by Bill Binkelman

I can't recall being so impressed with the way a subgenre has exploded with great new acts before. In this case, it's the new subgenre which mixes chanting, exotic percussion, layered keyboards, and world music textures. I have been hearing one great recording after another. Some are more electronica-oriented while others are more like this great self-titled CD from the trio Alkymia. The trio are Claudia Stern on vocals (who possesses a wonderfully rich and beautiful voice), Alvara Taboada on guitars, keyboards, samplers, percussion and vocals, and Dario Cortés on samplers, keyboards, and vocals. They all bring a sense of freshness and excellence to this recording, which enchanted and delighted me immediately.

That oh-so-crucial first song is a winner on Alkymia. "Leyenda" has a driving midtempo rhythm, ethereal vocals, and lush instrumental accompaniment. Claudia's voice is multi-tracked a la Enya and, dare I say it, she holds her own against the best that the new age queen has produced. Acoustic guitar during the song's bridge is a welcome new twist on this genre.

"Curacaví" has a quasi-samba rhythm, mixed with sensuous synth choirs. Claudia's vocals break the spell with a vague jazz element to them; and when the guitar comes in, I actually flashed on the rock group, The Sundays (whom I like). By that last remark, you know that Alkymia is not just jumping on this new genre-bandwagon for the sake of sales. These three artists, and all three helped write various songs on the album, are true originals. It's difficult to maintain a continuity vibe throughout a recording that also encompasses a good amount of diversity. They do, though. Part of it is doubtless do to the silky thread of Claudia Stern's voice. The other aspect may be the almost spiritual element that snakes in and out of songs, owing to things like lush background synths, dense production, and sensual, even erotic, motifs that elevate this CD into rather elite territory.

Even on the lighter songs, such as the lilting "Atacama" which hints at Latin jazz, or the soft flamenco number, "Caludinha," which is helped along dramatically by underlying romantic synths, the music on Alkymia is full of a depth and a richness that permeated the air when I played it. If the idea of Enya-esque layered vocals married to world fusion rhythms and flavors (much of it Spanish in character), all anchored by savvy electronics, piques your interest, look no further. Alkymia is here and waiting for you.