Rob Garland – Almont West
Rob Garland’s “Almont West” is a superb instrumental song that features a gifted group of players, resulting in a deep and elegant composition. With Rob Garland on guitars, Austin Underhill on bass, Carl Thomson on drums, and Andy Francis on saxophone, the foursome achieves such depth and complexity that it is difficult to detect the lack of keyboards. The music sets a clean and refined tone right away with its sophisticated jazz rhythms. Carl Thomson’s drumming provides a strong, complex, yet flowing framework that lets the other instruments shine. When saxophonist Andy Francis joins the composition, it takes on a West Coast AOR (album-oriented rock) feel that is soulful and uplifting. The sax adds warmth and emotion, weaving through the track with a graceful and expressive presence. Rob Garland is a guitarist with extraordinary technical skill. Garland’s blues-rock solo, which begins at 1:32, is a standout moment on the song. This solo not only displays his technical skills but also invites nostalgia by bringing back the timeless sounds of rock and blues with a contemporary twist. As the track progresses, it reaches a pivotal moment at 2:27 where the tempo slows down. This transition is beautifully executed, creating a space for Garland’s expressive guitar riffs to take center stage. These riffs are emotive and dynamic, adding a special vibe to the music that is both contemplative and uplifting. The interplay between the instruments during this segment is particularly noteworthy, demonstrating the synergy and chemistry of the ensemble.
