Armen Chakmakian- Caravans (TruArt Records)

*** ( 3 Stars)

Keyboardist and composer Armen Chakmakian is a true artist. Rumor has it that this former Grammy award nominated member of the new age ensemble Shadowfax obtained a second mortgage on his home to pay for the completion of his second solo album, Caravans. Furthermore, Chakmakian offered to “sell his soul” on eBay to finance this project. The tongue-in-cheek ploy did not get any bidders, but, what it did show is how serious this guy is about his craft. On Caravans, we are treated to 12 original compositions with some themes more familiar that others to Armenians. Chakmakian has correctly opted to push the dated New Age genre out in favor of ethno/world jazz surrounding himself with the likes of oudist John Bilezikjian, percussionist Andre Harutyunyan and others. On the keyboard and in composition, Chakmakian like space and breathing room. Giving the rest of his band the freedom to paint on the musical canvas he presents them and the audience, Chakmakian is more than willing to share the stage with his respected peers. For example on “Journey Home”, “Birdsong”, and “Journey’s End”, his duo with oudist John Bilezikjian is tastefully poignant and the mark of seasoned professionals. As is the case with many of his compositions, there is a reserved spirituality and romanticism at work within these pieces. In most cases it works to his favor. At other points, the casually clichéd Eastern theme-lets and overly repetitive sentimental themes do not. However, those moments are few and far between. The first three tracks let the listener jump right into Chakmakian’s big and bold sound. Sonically, this album is about as good as it gets. Picking up where he left off with his very popular debut album Ceremonies, Caravans is another strong showing from Armen Chakmakian and his band of merry men.