Phil Sheeran proclaims himself a "fingerstyle guitarist" in the liner notes to
Orchid, and he gives those agile digits quite a workout even on the more low-key tunes which reflect his intention to create a mood recording. With
Sheeran, there is always more than meets the eye - just as he eases our expectations into complacency with gentle declarations like "In My Heart" (on which he and flutist
Brandon Fields tease each other back and forth over a swaying percussion groove), he heads for the tropics or does the
B.B. King thing ("She Likes the Blues"), all to explosive effect. "Sacred Ground" combines the island panning of
Andy Narell, the Native American bamboo flute musings of
Richard Warner and
Sheeran's own darker acoustic guitar tones - all over
Harvey Mason's slick rhythmic pockets. Then "Jungle" finds
Sheeran at a unique crossroads - his guitar is gentle but
Eric Marienthal's alto fires up over a mix of live
Mason and spunky hip-hop machinery. "St. Tropez" seeks a healthy compromise between the fire and calm, offering a cool drive time melody most of the way, but breaking for plucky improvisations by
Sheeran and keyboardist/producer
Gregg Karukas, whose sonic shifts from Rhodes to organ to ivories form the backbone of every cut. ~ Jonathan Widran