By: John W. Patterson
f you like your rock guitar instrumental releases intelligently composed, executed, and full
of designer testosterone -- this is the ticket. Dan Begelman is axe, John DeCesare is bass, and
Tony Gallino does drums. Begelman will appeal to Ronnie Montrose, Jeff Beck, Pete Carr,
Derringer, Allman Brothers, and even Captain Beyond fans. There is enough jazz fusion leanings
spiced here and there to attract those listeners as well but foremost -- this is a superb melodic
guitar excursion start to finish. Best songs to drive to and sling gravel are: "Six Fingers", "Points
East", "Against the Ropes", and "Cliffhanger" -- all killer tracks. I need not mention Satriani, E.
Johnson, or Vai -- but do catch my drift -- Begelman's visionary writing and soul-fired riffing is
frequently more interesting than even such "gods" of go-speed-racer, guitardom. Chops need not
be faster than the sound of pleasure for the music to breathe satisfying fire and passion. Be sure to
sample Project 7's 1997 BirthDeathInfinity release which only shows even better ammo in
Begelman's arsenal. Still no vocals. So what.
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