Miguel Emilio Balmaceda
Gig Seeker Pro

Miguel Emilio Balmaceda

Rancho Cucamonga, California, United States | AFM

Rancho Cucamonga, California, United States | AFM
Band Jazz Latin

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Music Review"

StageName: Miguel Emilio Balmaceda

Legend:
1 = Don’t quit your day job
2 = Carefully budget your money
3 = You’re in the game
4 = It’s time for a road trip
5 = Get an agent – NOW!

Bonus: 0-2 = Be glad it wasn’t a live performance
3-4 = Invite more friends
5-6 = Pump up the volume
7-8 = Ticket price increases are a good thing
9-10 = If your agent isn’t swamped, get a new one!

Scores
Hooks: 5
Melodies: 5
Arrangement: 5
Production: 5
Marketability: 5
Image: 5
Radio Friendliness: 5
Artist/Band Name: 5
Musicianship: 5
Bonus: 10

Comments
Songs: From the beautiful blaring guitar riffs of "San Miquel Blues" to the thoughtful and stress
relieving fingerings of "Mountain Melt Classic" and "Mountain Melt Steel String," Balmaceda
never once falls off from perfection.

Production: Immaculate! I love the use of congas and shaker on "Gypsy Eyes," the progressive
entrancing drum and bass tracks on "Medicine Man," and the all around clarity of "San
Miquel Blues." This song, which is so busy, it would seem virtually impossible to have each
track come through as clearly as it does. The lead riffs blare with an almost (Joe) Satriani
feel, and are coupled with a rhythm guitar line Carlos Santana himself would be proud to
claim as his own. There’s Immense clarity and richness.

Marketability: For the avenue and style with which Balmaceda explores and his vast knowledge in music,
it’s almost inconceivable that anyone could not palate this rich warm compilation of songs.
As well, Balmaceda has an honest accessible physical presence which exudes confidence
and poised direction. I am certain this music is radio accessible on any jazz or classical
music station.

Musicianship: He has paid his dues in the last 20 years as an artist writer and composer. I myself, would
honestly pay any price to view Balmaceda alongside his idol, Carlos Santana. These songs
are so richly written and layered with hooks that it’s impossible not to be appreciative of his
talent. Combining blues, jazz, world and mid tempo rock, with a biting distorted guitar on
"San Miguel Blues," and heartfelt warm melodies with Spanish overtones on “Spanish
Blues,” it's a wonder this man has not blown up.

Vocal: None.

Overall: For exquisite composition and production, coupled with perseverance and patience, I award
this artist with a solid 10! Never give up; commit daily to working harder to improve your craft,
because for every performer, there’s an audience out there waiting for you.
Submitted: 04.16.04 @ 3.17 p.m. - Talentmatch.com


"Stereofame.com Reviews"

12/20/2008 11:29 pm Chasing Day Sweet ! Love the melody lines and touch!

12/20/2008 01:05 am JOHNY HART
great guitar playing

12/08/2008 12:52 am Tri Satt
beautiful music... thumbs up 4 ya

12/05/2008 07:29 am CJZ
NIce Work my friend!
Your a breath of fresh air, keep up the good work! CJZ

12/04/2008 08:20 am Mirek Kwiek
Great guitar playing.Good variety of music styles.Nice instrumental arrangements and performance.All thumbs up.Mirek

12/02/2008 01:20 pm Barry Morgan
Outstanding sounds. Probably one of the best guitarists on this site. Absolutely beautiful work.

11/27/2008 12:00 am Fran Schultz Great. I found me some great blues. Absolutely awesome music. Inspiring!

11/22/2008 11:21 am Emezie Beautiful acoustic never gets old!

11/20/2008 08:04 pm bugs meenie KICK ###
Nice

11/19/2008 12:15 pm Cohen's Ghost
Awesome! Great sound, man!

11/18/2008 01:40 pm Urimidden Terrific action great style and versatility. thumbs way up!

11/17/2008 04:32 pm Poncho the Bandit From the Bandit
Thumbs up i can listen to your music day and night great sound

11/13/2008 05:03 am How To Avoid Art
God has blessed your hands!
Wow! What awesome music!

11/12/2008 01:16 pm Abe Q.
woah u got sum wicked guitar tracks running there man keep on shredding!

11/12/2008 12:56 pm Cohen's Ghost
Awesome!!!! Great tunes!! Thumbs Up!

11/11/2008 01:22 pm Sierra Revival Project
Back for more! Spiritual, beautiful!

11/01/2008 09:50 pm Pandora Box Excellent!! Love it! Love it! Love it!!! ;)

10/21/2008 04:13 pm cowboy229 Wonderful. Great guitar playing.

10/05/2008 05:43 pm Jerry Lee Willis
Absolutely Awsome! Excelent!

09/18/2008 04:17 pm Orange-1 Hi!
I just heard medicine man! Fantastic stuff! Go on! All thumbs up!

08/30/2008 09:17 am MIRO !
fantastic guitar!

08/24/2008 12:37 am No Rent Joseph
It's Nearly 6 AM, and a bottle of JD later. And this a perfect accompaniment :D Especially Mountain melt. Thanks for sharing.

\08/10/2008 10:13 am kelly
super music!!!! a little jazzy....mmmmm perfect!!!

08/03/2008 07:33 pm Mark Pal Great ! All thumbs UP !!! I like this sounds... "Medicine Man" with Concert Hall sound effects...COOL !!! Greetings from Poland!

07/28/2008 02:29 pm Stanford Joel(new song) Sweet music Miguel!
Love that guitar style! 5 thumbs up to ya!! - Stereofame.com


"Garageband.com Peer Reviews"

Garageband.com Reviews of Medicine Man and other tunes from Miguel Balmaceda Posted: Jun 3, 2005

ocean spash
wow, this one immedialtly brings to mind NUDE WOMEN ON THE BEACH, wrastlin' gettin all sandy and what not
Overall this one was well produced and I wouldn't change a thing!!!!
- Hamrick from Denver, Colorado on 29Apr2005

nice
wow this is great, i really like the melody a lot,, so smooth. i could ride in my car and play this all day. i had no idea instrumental rock was like this, the guitars are so sweet
- highiq from Burbank, California on 26Apr2005

Mouth watering
Crash start sets the scene with rain and pining guitar trembling in the wake. Expressive melody with lots of variety and pace changes that take it down a slightly Latin route. Lead guitar nearly goes out of hearing levels in both directions. How many takes for this one? Mood is wonderful, exciting and mind tipping stuff. The background percussion is cleverly positioned to make a difference without interfering. The lead is so good I could eat it. 5/5 just for the imaginative arrangement.
- KITMAC from Leicestershire, United Kingdom on 20Apr2005

So sweet my teeth hurt
Very pro, Santana-like tones...I dig how the maraca sounds sweep from left to right and back...guitar player has an intense vibrato...very soulful playing...plenty of breathing space...I dig the rhythmic changes...they're keeping me on my toes...the arrangement is very appropriate...it's light and not bogged down at all...I could listen all night...just beautiful!
- RockHunter from Tempe, Arizona on 18Apr2005

very Santanaish
I mean that as a compliment. It was the congas and the lead tone as well as the bluesy style. I like the piano and the bass line as well.
- pattiman from Concord, California on 15Apr2005

Smooth
Santana style but with its own new twist. The beat is more modern in the beginning but it reminds me a lot of some of the stuff from Abraxas. It almost has a smooth jazz feel in some parts. This is a good song to listen to in the car.
- MutantRadio from Hollywood, California on 11Apr2005

Garageband.com Reviews of San Miguel Blues Posted: Jun 3, 2005

outstanding intsrumental song.
The guitar is very skillfully done. The bass is good in it too, i like that. Excellent change in middle of the song. The way you keep the same guitar and just change the background track adds a new dimension to the guitar part and the expression of it. Well arranged. Not too long, not too short. AND IT KEPT MY ATTENTION! this is something not many instrumental songs can say. many are just background music, but this is an actual SONG not just some background instrumentals.
- funkdaddyfresh from Louisville, Kentucky on 14May2005

Smokey swampy
Nice vibe and sharp guitar riffs.Reminds me of the Allmans when they get a little jazzy. The change of tempo was nice also.
- BertusJ from Howell, New Jersey on 13May2005

Strong opening
Great instrumental track. This really has the feel of a live jam. Great recording. Everthing really balanced and distinct. Nice job. The arrangement is very cool (again feels like it should be a live jam).
- shannonbradley from Stockton, California on 13May2005

Nice !!!
This track is very well mixed, and tight as hell. Great players across the board. The solo guitar is placed well over the mix to act as the voice, and I really like that. The changes of styles is a nice kick, and the reggae is sweet.

Song has jazz/blues influence. Tempo is great - gutiarist just rips ala Stevie Ray - The bass is thumping - You may want to try a different mastering approach because the overall mix is a little low. Extra Credit for Mood, Bass, and guitars.
- P9sBEAST from Chicago, Illinois on 3May2005

Instrumental, more ways than one!
The arrangement of this song is excellent. The guitar playing is amazing all the way through. The mood generated by the drums and bass is very relaxing. I like the improvisitory feel; it's done tastefully the way a good jazz musician would.
- Eselbeus from Mcminnville, Oregon on 13Apr2005

good jam
good bluesy feel
rythem guitar sounds crisp
with a little reggea feel
bass and drums are solid
lead guitar is the stand out
obviosly the song is centered around it
instrumentals are hit or miss
its probably not a song most people
are going to listening to over and over
but you can't deny the talent
and i for one would love to hear this song live
great job
- batman225 from Lynn, Massachusetts on 12Apr2005

Santana?
This is a good bluesy based instrumental. Everything is done well, good musicianship overrall. Ooh-I like the little reggae feel change here. You guys would be a great band to see in a smoky little bar, probably rock the house. Find a singer!
- sigmundfloyd from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 10Apr2005

Old Skool Influence
Straight out of the 70's and I'm loving this. I really like the old style of rock used here. This is a tune any rock lover would appreciate instrumental songs are just to scarce these days.

The arrangement is very awesome and I love how the song just changes moods around the 1:30 mark, a regae type of vibe came in which was really cool.

Guitars are amazing I love the blues element added to the rhythm, the solo was pretty damn convincing as well, great arrangement on guitars.

This track belongs in a movie or on T.V. for sure. Kudos.
- krutchflatlined from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada on 7Apr2005

Soothed
Good, tight, smooth Intro, good slow hand playing, nice and mellow soothing mood to the song. Good change up there in the middle Like a change of scenery, back to the swaying feel like a good drunk or .... I like this song very6 good arrangements excellent!!
- axis_records04 from Little Rock, Arkansas on 6Apr2005

Blues and Reggea in the same tune... I'm dizz..
Liked the throw back to the old school fusion-esque styles of Santana, and McLaughlin (but slower.) Like the guitar work. The band is tight. Everyone has great chops. I liked the kick into reggea bit in the middle, made me have to listen to the song twice. Arrangement was good. Didn't really pick up on the melody line. The song seemed more about the groove in the background to me. I liked it.
- jetzaleski from Orlando, Florida on 6Apr2005

I like this song
This song is very well produced, the production quality is great. Musicianship is outstanding, all around cool and really tight. Vocals would really compliment the talent this band has. Nice rockin' blues arrangement, with a subtle lead guitar keeps the song going. I am probably biased as a singer... but, I want to hear vocals! I totally love this tune. Very easy to listen to. I am such a sucker for the 'LIVE' feel of a song. Like it was done in one take and everyone was having a blast. Good work and thanks for the listen.
- janajana from Vancouver, B.C., Canada on 5Apr2005

I meet Santana
I am highly surprised by your professional performance.This instrumental composition flows from blues to reggae and it is a great foundation for the guitarist to play a memorable and a charming melody. Not only his guitar's sound reminds me Santana-the guitarist and the composer...The way the guitar "moves" through your composition is well influenced by the spirit of the one of the best musicians in our cosmos.
That's why your "guitar" has a good character and it knows how to emotionally tell the story.
You combined two different styles of music making them to live together in a great harmony.
I really like your thinking...
Your track has a good feeling that isn't enough exposed 'cause of the lack of a great production. It's an important element to have a master piece...Good Luck...

Ilo
- Ilo from Nyc, New York on 1Apr2005

classic guitar moves
Love the guitar in this expecially at the start, sets this song off for good times and perfectly leads the way as it gets better and better, very calming would listen
- ruddjudd from Loggerheads, Shropshire, United Kingdom on 24Mar2005

engaging
I like the groove. There is a very nice tone on this lead guitar. I like the backround guitar as well. The wammy bar is a nice effect. This song has nice blues feel with like a eric johnson edge or something. the mix-up with the raggae beats in the middle ads a nice touch. the descention back into the main verse is clutch. This is a nice chill song. The way the two guitars fill in the gaps and follow along tightly with the drum fills really works for this song.
- VagabondRecords from Oakfield, New York on 22Mar2005

So Cool !
Great groove that grabbed me from the intro !...Beautiful guitar playing a very fine melody !...Good arrangement and fine all round musicianship !...Well Done !
- Bassist55 from Wollongong, Nsw, Australia on 21Mar2005

Great blues intro!!
Slow blues is only good if it is set up right and this one is from the beginning. great guitar work along with drums and bass. all work well here. then a pleasant surprise for all ears it changes movement!! what a great idea. Then the guitar comes in even stronger during the instrumental up beat chorus. These guys have it down pat. they get you in the beginning and never let go. I wanted to listen again so I am. this song is fresh and is something that should be heard by all. Instrumentally this song reminds me of denny freeman who in my opinion is one of the best at instrumentals. check him out and see what I'm talking about. production and performance were both right out of the book. couldn't be better. the arrangement again was awesome melody kept my attention all the way through.

Double C
the Pickin Cotten band
Cecil Cotten
- cwc45ntx from Omaha, Texas on 21Mar2005

This Guitarist is the bomb
Guitars:
Wow...kinda 60's surf Roy Buchanan then breaks into the reggae feel...OK you got me...I dig it

Melody:
Reminicent of some feels but also very original...Like the instrumentation. Solid Drums, Bass, Keys all driven by the guitarist.

Arrangement:
Original...definately not cookie cutter in any way. Catchy hooks..tasty chops
Has two different feels to the style and they both work well here.
Recording could be a little hotter in amplitude but that's just my taste.
- exhippiedude from Independence, Oregon on 19Mar2005

Instrumental Illness
Loved this song from the start. The guitars sound great. Playing is awesome, in style of Clapton and maybe W. Haynes. Many styles mixed together: blues, reggae, rock. Instrumental songs often are a bit boring but this song keeps you awake all the time by changing styles and introducing new elements. There are certain melodies that repeat and keep the song together. A good drum/gitar thing in the end.
- NorthernBand from Rovaniemi, Lappi, Finland on 17Mar2005

Smooth perfection
The intro is a hook.
I love the melody. The guitar flows right along. Very talented.
The percussion is smooth and unobtrusive but forceful. Well mixed.
The progression is not stock standard insofar as it transitions periodically. This all makes for a wonderful and well rounded production.
The arrangement is superb. The breaks and changes in the instrument parts are well distributed and keeps interest rolling.
All in all a very professional and solid tune.
If I were on the couch listening, I would hit rewind on the CD to hear it again. It's really good.
- FredMiller from Seattle, Washington on 16Mar2005

put me in the bar!!
this song would be perfect while kickin back a cold one at the bar!! the sound is really tight, and executed well. the guitar lead is done very well and the sound is great. i like the change part. it sounds a bit more tropical after the change...no more bar music. nice work though, lots of guitar talent! nice kickdowns too!
- snowsk8erjg from Gorham, New Hampshire on 15Mar2005

makin it sing
smooth intro. very musical. the guitar playing is top notch. technical without shredding too much. the reggae change is cool. i like your vibrato. generally, my preference is vocal music. i appreciate your playing but i would prefer to hear it in a band w/vox format. very nice work, though.
- jonitkin from Eugene, Oregon on 15Mar2005

jake the sly review
I like it, it is the first blues song that I have reviewed, so it's hard for me to distinguish very much but I like it. I feel that you guys could be on austin city limits! You sound just as good as any other blues band that I've heard. no vocals though. maybe get one and you would have got a 5 from me.
- pierced_band from Beloit, Wisconsin on 15Mar2005

Wet Dreadlocks
I really enjoyed the intrumentation, and what you did on the break, or bridge. I wonder if thats been done before? Nice guitar work. Also key's where nice too. Drummer, very jazzey riffs. Most enjoyable.
- Tonykamona from Mason City, Iowa on 15Mar2005

good sounding
Jazzy sounding blues song,guitar really wails on this[really like the effects].Production is at a high level and over all it is a good listen,showing really good talent.
- eslider from Dallas, Texas on 15Mar2005

Well paced
All the action led by the big guitar in this slow jazzy bluesy track. Nice little pace change as the percs go into ticking mode and the melody does some neat tricks.
The mood is dreamy and lazy with those two guitar chords repeating making a solid foundation for the solo.
The recording sounds a little way back but I like that because it makes you feel like your hearing this at an intriguing distance. Good one to sway to.
- KITMAC from Leicestershire, United Kingdom on 14Mar2005

Really like the intro, the walkdown scale by bass and guitar is awesome. Then I really like the guitar sound as the song gets going, and the riffs are really well played. Great sounding guitar. This is a great instrumental song, the guitar really holds the attention well without letting the song get boring. The change is a really good thing too as it is a drastic enough change and done well enough to give the song much more to it. Really the electric lead is spectacular. Really well played and great sound.
- LostSouls57 from Portland, Oregon on 14Mar2005

Wow. This is Blues!!
Right from the start it feels like the old Fleetwood Mac blues. Wonderful. Great groove (bass/drums/ rythm guitar) and strong play of the lead guitar. And once in a while a piano/organ as well.

Summarized:
This is a wonderful piece of music. Fully instrumental but never boring, expertly played. The mix is good too, all the playing instruments were strong in the mix all the time.
- HansM from Amsterdam, Nh, Netherlands on 14Mar2005

Garageband.com Reviews of Spanish Blues Posted: Jun 3, 2005

Luscious!
This track is positively yummy. The jazzy octave riff is really good. The background works as a fine template for the lead.

I would say this could qualify as a jazz piece as well, t

I would definitely pay money to see you perform. Awesome track.
Reviewed by: real2realmusic from Oakland, California

latin money
nice attention grabbing intro. the acoustic guitar sounds very nice. the layers of acoustic guitars work well. the rhythm guitar is played very tastefully so it doesn't interfere with the lead. the melody is nice. i'm starting to see that this is just an instrumental. it sounds great. it has a slightly latin feel to it. i like.
Reviewed by: aaronj from Boston, Massachusetts

who needs vocals?
I love the production, is perfect and got the mood across. I could listen to this daily. Is a simple rythm with a beautiful lead over it. I think you couldve been a little more raw with the mix and it wouldve still been great, but other that, I have no complaints. Like I said, Who needs vocals?
- stevano from Bruce, Michigan on 16Mar2005

Review of Rainbow Warrior by Miguel Emilio Balmacda..
Intriguing Possibilities...
PERFORMANCE: Nice smooth guitar intro building into a very nice groove. Al of the instruments are well-played, though the drums sound too real. That's pribably because they are? ;) SONG: The song has a lot of potential with some really nice melodic lines from the lead guitar. As one who writes a lot of instrumentals, I have patience and enjoy finding what comes around the next corner, though this song would be awesome with lyrics and vocals along the lines of Marillion. PRODUCTION: All in all, this is not a bad prududction. In fact, the solo and groove in the 3 minute range is very well mixed - with the exception of those drums. Not really sure what is missing there - I cannot put my finger on it. My main piece of advice on the production/mix would be that the acoustic guitar part during the first part of the song seems a little hot, detracting from the groove of the drums and bass. SUMMARY: All-in-all this is a very good effort and with a little more polish would be even better. I enjoyed the simplicity of the lead guitar parts, as the player clearly relies more on melodic lines and feelings than on flashy, fancy licks. Keep up the good work! -Sauce
- SaucyJim from San Jose, California on 4Jul2008
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Hey I just did a review of this.....
Is this part two?

OK...I still dig this one for all of the reasons I did the first one....

Very cool bud!!!

-Ron
- rdadey from Austin, Texas on 1Jul2008
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This has a nice a feel to it...
I like the sounds used on this track....

I like the fact that the guitarist played it straight throughout...(dug the hammeroffs towards the end)...

The production OK ...I dug the arrangement however...very nice...

I would enjoy jamming to this piece myself... :)

Overall a very cool listen!

-Ron
- rdadey from Austin, Texas on 1Jul2008
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Super!
Wowzers!
Was that a mellotron? Whatever it was, it MADE the song!
Great guitars! Jimmy Page would be proud!
Excellent performence! Everything sounded TIGHT!
Great song!
- JCmusik from Cape Coral, Florida on 1Jul2008

- Garageband.com - Garageband.com


Discography

The San Miguel Project cd is available at major outlets and on the internet at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/balmaceda,
musicmatch, itunes, emusic, ....

Mountain Melt has been featured on KKSF 106.7 in the SF Bay area on Sunday mornings.

Photos

Bio

Steeped in blues, rock, and jazz guitar Miguel has played professionally for over 30 years and composed an original catalog of beautiful acoustic and electric guitar instrumentals in blues, rock, jazz, and latin styles, and interesting new hybrid blends which combine country and classical, blues and reggae, latin and blues (Spanish Blues). His performing repertoire also includes original chord/melody arrangements of many Brazilian and Jazz standards.

Over the years Miguel's band 'The San Miguel Project' has featured such musical talents as Lawrence Dixon (Wilson Pickett) on keys, Larry Washington (Tina Turner) on drums, Rick Fierbracci (Yanni, Frank Gambale) on bass, Joel Taylor (Alan Holdsworth, Brian Bromberg) on drums, and Paul Kerstan (Kiluea) on drums.

Miguel Balmaceda was born January 31, 1953 in Colon, Panama. His hard working parents emigrated to New York City, where he was raised until his teens. The migration continued west to California, where his ear latched on to an eclectic blend of pop, rock and jazz influences. Everything from Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, to the Doors, to John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, to Carlos Santana.

"It was Carlos who influenced me the most, particularly on a spiritual level. Of course musically as well, but it was the completely inspirational quality of his mid-70s recordings 'Caravanserai', 'Welcome', and 'Borboletta' which really drove me to become a player. Eventually, I wanted to generate in my own playing, the same kinds of inspired emotions Carlos had evoked in me. There were other albums from that period which moved me as well. Robin Trower's 'Bridge of Sighs', and McLaughlin's 'Birds of Fire' were mind expanding masterpieces. But it was Carlos who made my heart soar the highest."

In 1984 Miguel enrolled in Hollywood's Guitar Institute of Technology (now the Musician's Institute). "That experience at G.I.T. was the turning point for me as a player. Until then I had always ha the desire and talent I think, but not the confidence to believe I could ever develop a career in music. But it was that experience which led me to develop a jazz vocabulary and eventually compose and record my first album 'The San Miguel Project'."

In 1999 the 'The San Miguel Project' was Arizona University Recordings' Grammy nominee entry in the Best New Artist and Best Pop Album categories.

Miguel plays an Abe Wechter nylon string concert acoustic, a Yamaha APX-120 steel string acoustic, a 1957 re-issue Fender Stratocaster, and a Custom Deluxe Les Paul electric through custom made 60 and 100 watt Richtone Amplifiers.

Band Members