Guitar Nine Records - "East Coast Shoes" Review Featured In Fuse Magazine, July, 1998

Eric Wollman

Review of "East Coast Shoes"

uitarist/composer Eric Wollman has created a collection of ten original fusion compositions that bring to mind some of the earlier recordings of Allan Holdsworth. Wollman has obviously studied the techniques of Holdsworth and has mastered them and beyond. This guitar, bass and drum trio goes where many fans of Holdsworth would have liked to have seen him continue. With interesting and unique chord inversions along with unorthodox rhythmic improvisational lines, Wollman captures a non abrasive yet aggressive sound that explores fusion from an organized framework, courtesy of the very cohesive rhythm section of bassist Gene Torres and drummer Pete Quintalino. Wollman allows Torres and Quintalino to share in the excellent improvisation that occurs on almost every track. Holdsworth fans, as well as electric basses and drummers into fusion, should thoroughly enjoy this disc, as it allows for each player to stretch in a number of styles including rock, jazz, Latin and even bebop situations.

What gives Wollman an edge on Holdsworth is his exceptional songwriting. Tunes like the beautiful "Emily's Song" and "Ellenwood Place" move in very listener friendly directions while Wollman gracefully improvises at great lengths without becoming repetitive. The title track "East Coast Shoes" will attract fans of the Holdsworth era of the Tony Williams Lifetime and hint at the fact that this is a natural progression of that legendary sound that turned the fusion world on its ears.

Eric Wollman is the first guitarist to come along in many years to pay respect to the stylistic genius of Holdsworth in a much needed fashion, but most importantly, Wollman is taking the Holdsworth concept to an interesting, much jazzier and very creative level of composition. Guitarists should not miss this one!