By: M.J. Brady
here sure are a lot, if not too many guitarists around these days, and a huge amount of them are playing shred/fusion ala Yngwie Malmsteen, very few have made any significant strides as solo artists or on the music front. Richie Kotzen is an exception to this rule, he has the gift of nimble fingers to be sure, however, he also has a keen sense of melody, so he is not trying to attain the world record for notes per CD. With a background in blues and metal, he released some solo efforts with the shred label Shrapnel, they are mainly known as a spawning ground for fret-gymnasts, he along with label mate Greg Howe, are certainly a different breed than the other clone types coming from that camp. Kotzen also has a feel for writing good songs, this was to be perhaps his best solo CD to date. He also did some fantastic work with ex-Return to Forever bassist and drummer, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White, on their Vertu release, proving he was ready to play in the big leagues. This CD also features bassist Jeff Berlin known for his work on Bruford's solo fusion material, and Gregg Bissonette on drums. This is a fusion feast, and you will get an earfull of the delicacies of the days when fusion meant kick-butt energy, speed, complexity, and soaring electric guitars, darn good stuff.
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