THE CHAMELEON PROJECT

CD Release
Revival, April 4

It would be an understatement to say that the Chameleon Project is a versatile band. They are what I would call an inconstant free moving musical life form that changes just as the chameleon does. Not only in colour, but in sound textures, rhythms, and cross genres. And, as clarified in their song "Dancefloor Love Affair", the chameleon does not change colour for camouflage but for communication.

The groups introduction and release party for their second CD If It Takes All Night at Revival on April 4th proved to be a terrific success with a full house and obvious great expectations. For a group only consisting of three members, with the odd elements of sampling, they have managed to create quite a large soundscape of variant elements. These include several juxtapositions of sounds that work out very well as in "Painkiller", "Eris", and "Dancefloor Love Affair". The latter bounces between an underlying disco-esque rhythm, then flavoured with a dash of echoed reggae, acid jazz and funk. "Luxury Fever" introduces syncopated shots between the guitar and bass then swerves in a funky driving beat, highlighted by elaborate psychedelic guitar licks.

Now Josh's leads are not full of fast and fanciful finger work common to jazz. But he does have a distinct style which is melodious, with noticeable and memorable riffs, hook lines that bring you into the music as naturally as if you had heard it several times before. I felt a little Pat Matheney influence in there at times.

Josh Laing, leader and guitarist for the band is a multi-talented artist, teacher and graduate of York University's Fine Arts program. Josh's confidence and strength in his music is what he calls 'sound signature'. This is what he refers to as the individual elements of one's composing that gives them staying power. With the Chameleon Project he maintain's a high degree of creaftmanship, not just slick productions without substance but pays astute attention to detail. Josh makes reference to notable classic music makers like The Greatfull Dead, Jimmy Buffet and Steely Dan, to name a few, who along with their definite 'sound signature' also took chances with their composing. Instead of catering to what they felt people would like, they, as CP does, composed with their own unique flare and style.

Laing is fond of different sound textures and enjoys new technology and sound effects. One of his favourite samplers is the Boomerang, a real time sampling peddle. He can create a riff, loop it, then throw in effects, reverse it, speed it up, put down a sonic bed or wash all in real time. The bonus is that other loop based samplers are usually pre-programmed. With this cool toy you can improvise right on the spot and create your own distinct magic on the fly. Among Josh's many toys are vocal samplers and electronic drum pads and a host of guitar pedals (he's not sure how many). It would be a whole other review just to feature his gear (perhaps that's next).