Album Notes

New York native, Alex Nackman is a singer/songwriter/guitarist who writes a blend of jazz and rock. He uses many jazz chord progressions with rock oriented vocal lines to create unique and refined sounds and melodies that truly become stuck in you head. In addition to the acoustic and electric guitars, Alex also plays the electric bass as well as the violin.

With his honest and heartfelt lyrics, Alex is making a name for himself in the New York City club scene as well as music scenes throughout the northeast. He is establishing himself as a solo acoustic act who has a lot to offer with his sound. He has shared the stage with multi-Grammy winning artist Norah Jones, fellow New Yorker and Sony/Columbia artist Ari Hest, and Philadelphia band Townhall among others.

"Good Impressions," Alex's debut release, is a mix of clean rhythm guitar with jazz roots as well as melodic ballads that have a hint of British sounds from Coldplay, Doves, and Radiohead. The album is acoustically based and Alex played all instruments including guitar, bass, and violin that are heard on the CD. In addition, Alex sang all vocal parts including harmonies. As Peter Baker of Philadelphia's "Fly Magazine" wrote, "The CD is well-produced and he writes lyrics that betray the fact that Nackman himself is just 19 years old (August 2003)."

Most of the tracks surround themes such as relationships, love, and the challenges of life in general. The lyrics are honest and have stories behind them which can enable listeners to relate and empathize a little more to the situations that Alex describes in his songs.

Alex's attention to jazz forms of guitar playing has allowed him to write music with a unique blend of sounds. Some tracks have a heavy rhythmic feel with "stuck in you head melodies" like "Where Eden Lies," and other songs have a sweeping and moving sound, such as "Tonight," which is layered with several voices and instruments.

Nackman draws influence from Coldplay, Doves, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Howie Day, Ari Hest, Norah Jones, and Ben Folds. He is currently working on a new project with Van Morrison producer David Shaw, in Philadelphia.