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Band Carina Alfie Title Transmission Type LP/EP Company Independent YOR 2004 Style Power Popular Reviews  
I hear you guys think; Maradonna! Indeed my friends…. Him and the angel on guitars, Carina Alfie. Carina who? Don’t worry…. Once you heard her skills as a guitar player and song writer, you won’t forget her name easily. This I swear! I was forwarded her CD by a related promoter in Germany, who is in the midst of setting up her first European tour and promoting her world wide release “Transmission”, originally released in Argentina in 2004. This is the only work I know from this shredder, but checking out the names and references on this disc, one is easily thrilled. I’m only mentioning those who reached out to help…. Here we go: Neil Citron (Lana Lane), Linda McDonald (indeed-Phantom Blue!), and Jennifer Batten (Tribal Rage and Michael Jackson’s touring band). The album was produced at Mothership studios by invitation of Mr. Vai himself! To thank Steve for this, Carina recorded the awesome “La canción de Steve”, which is near magical! And that is exactly what Alfie is offering on “Transmission”. Kickin’ off with the most amazing solo on “Spaces”, she leads us through a colourful world of guitars. “Circulos de fuego” could have easily been from the hand of the master himself--Vai! And judging the pictures of Carina, she must be really working out to fly so fast up and down the scales. She's tiny and thin, completely the opposite of what I expected by hearing her music. “En todas Partes” is a vivid song with a killer hook line that keeps humming in your head for ages, as is “Irridación” with it’s remarkable theme. Perhaps that is exactly where Alfie is differing from all others in the scene nowadays. She is much more focussed on putting her skills in place with a real song, instead of only showcasing it and impress people. This approach is why she impresses so much. Remember the Hungarian Tamàs Szekeres or Jamie LaRitz? Well, put those together with Greg Howe, add a little Eddie Van Halen and Ritchie Kotzen (Fever Dreams days), and there you have it: a girl that shreds a guitar to pieces and leaves you standing pale faced! The following “Ray of light” is an enervating ballad which gives a full view of her skills, again without overdoing it. The already mentioned ode to Steve is in the same vein as “Mensaje de las Estrellas”: a full frontal groovy rock track. The title track again gives us some laid back pleasure. Very relaxed and moody ballad. Check out that reverb! “Encanto” is giving us more of an insight in her roots. Tango/Flamenco styled acoustic guitar playing, is it?! It’s a wow! Where “Awake” brings us back to reality with marvellous flowing harmonies as carried on waves of joy. Wrapping this guitar extravaganza up is “Ki” which has a slightly jazzy/fusion approach and mixes Tamás all over feel with a touch of the progressive hand of Vai and Malmsteen. Or should I say; Jeff Watson kicking the eight fingers all over the board while Lynch taps a little along….. Brrrrrreathtaking and Vai will be very pleased to have hosted this talent in his Mothership! This is what melodic guitar dreams are made for. Why did I have to wait so long?…… Check out: www.carinaalfie.cjb.net And for Europe: www.etipmusic.com Has some MP3’s and videos for download! I’ll rate it a 95/100 and for non-guitar freaks it still stands tall with at least 80/100!!!!! --Edwin van Hoof 04.01.05 ALL REVIEWS FOR: CARINA ALFIE
ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: CARINA ALFIE
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