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"Return with me to the magical, mythical Isle of Jábeam!"
Here is where my island fantasy becomes reality! My second musical tour through sensuous tropical splendor is guaranteed to take you away!""Relax, sit back and escape to a peaceful, romantic isle – to get away from it all! I believe that most people need and want to escape from the everyday pressures of life – to try to reach that state of Love, peacefulness and tranquility – at least for a moment. I hope that my music takes you to that dimension – so that you can relax and reflect upon the beauty of nature."
-- Mike
"Island Fantasy Part ll" – Like Jimmy Buffet does to the Parrotheads, Smiarowski does to the Adult Alternative airwaves – Gavin
Island Fantasy II
"..a warm tropical tale of getting away from the hustle-bustle of cold city life."
This instrumental record follows on the heels of his highly successful first release: 'ISLAND FANTASY' and critically-acclaimed 'FUSION.'
Mike's imaginary "Isle of Jábeam" is the perfect setting to highlight his guitar mastery. Playing electric, classical and acoustic guitars, Mike weaves a warm tropical tale of getting away from the hustle-bustle of cold city life. Like a great story teller, each moment of this album is full of surprise and wonderment.
The songs are rich, diverse and timeless. Many evoke decades of jazz history, yet seem totally fresh. The cuts are upbeat and intriguing; others relaxing and romantic, while still others are haunting.
As a guitar player, Smiarowski can be compared to many of the best. One can hear many influences, most notably George Benson and Wes Montgomery. But Mike's versatile style has his own distinctive guitar 'voice'.
Chas Eller, (of Kilimanjaro fame) co-produced this album with Mike. The Album was digitally mixed, mastered and recorded at Eller's studio in Vermont. The emotional outpouring of Mike's playing stands in stark contrast to so many of today's sterile sounds. The most remarkable thing about "Return to Jábeam" is that it is eminently playable. You could feel comfortable playing this entire album to a diverse crowd and find many feet tapping to its infectious beat.
TRACK INFO
ALBUM INFO
Chas Eller: Keyboards
Tony Markellis: Fretless and fretted bass
Lucas Adler: Drums
Brian Melick: Percussion
Engineered and mixed by Charles Eller
Assistant engineer: Lane Gibson
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Charles Eller Studios, Charlotte, VT, USA
Art direction and design by A. Michelle, Al Gomes and Bruce Snyder
Photography by Bruce Snyder and Jim Klimczak
Thanks to Jeff Hollister, Jay Bania, Paul Gworek (Unk), Robert Gworek (Paco), and Chris Mazur.
A ‘Big’ Thanks to Al Gomes and A. Michelle at Big Noise for their continuous support, and positive and creative input in delivering all of my musical fantasies to the world!
Thanks to all the superb musicians for their great efforts.
Special thanks to Chas Eller for understanding and feeling my music!
Thanks for reserving your tickets for your Return to Jábeam!
© Ⓟ Smear Songs (BMI).
All rights reserved.