The overall concept for the 'Chance Encounters' was to produce an acoustic album where the music was free flowing, melodic, emotional and spontaneous. Eugene and Ric had been experimenting with a duo format and had been composing pieces which provided a good deal of room for improvisation whilst maintaining a strong melodic base. When the wonderful bassist Eddie Gomez came to Hong Kong Ric and Eugene approached Eddie with the concept of recording an album in this acoustic format and Eddie readily agreed to it. The recording session was set up and the majority of the "Chance Encounters" album was recorded spontaneously in one 3-hour session. As you will hear the freedom and moods of the various pieces led to inspired playing by all concerned 1. Time Slips Away - Poignant. The warm pleasures and the sweet sadnesses of reminiscing. The faces of old friends lost forever. The textures of things once so sharp, now gently sanded down by passing years. All slipping away. All fading. 2. Chance Encounters - A chance encounter can change a life ... or even change history. A theme brought vividly to life with the use of unusual scales, inspired by our concerts with Indian Group ' Tala Tarangini'. 3. Interaction - Melodic but free flowing. Disciplined but emotional and spontaneous. Eddie makes a truly inspired opening statement and Ric and Eugene pick up onthe rythmic pattern he has established and take it from there. 4.Alone and Together - The only duo piece on the album, this piece features soaring solo and joint improvisation sections that make jazz so appealing to the ear and the soul. 5. Kindred Spirits - the most formalised piece on the album with string section beautifully arranged by Dave Packer and played exquisitely by members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. 6. Parting Friends - A melodic piece which conjures up all the bittersweet feelings experienced when good frinds part. Sit back , relax and enjoy!!!!