In the pictures in the CD booklet they look so young, and yet they handle the acoustic guitar, the mandolin, and the charanga like old Mexicans (or Spanish or Moroccans). And they write good pieces too. Artifact is Dromedary's debut album. Except for an Andean folk melody and a piece by Carlos Paredes, everything was composed or arranged by them. Although flamenco influences abound, Andrew Reissiger and Rob McMaken don't resort to flashy displays of virtuosity. They let strong melodies and intricate arrangements speak out their mastery of the instrument. And it works. Listeners may be somewhere in Central America or around the Mediterranean Sea, sitting around a gypsy campfire or with a caravan of Bedouins. There is never one single influence, style, or one specific location. The two guitarists mix up everything: the techniques, the modes, and the references, from Paco DeLucia to Leo Kottke. Their compositions convey a sense of easiness, but they feature some interesting developments, especially in "Letter From the Front" and "The Jolly Gobbler." They have been recorded up close in a warm studio atmosphere. In short: Artifact is a guitar-lover's delight, perfect for dinner accompaniment or attentive listening. Excellent debut.
© François Couture /TiVo