In his Milwaukee days, Nicolella played with a lofty objectivity underscored by repertoire choices - lots of Bach. The pristine clarity of his sound remains on this new disc. Even under the scrutiny of close miking, his playing is free of clicks, buzzes and muffles.

The great discovery here is a new level of intensity. The higher temperature matches the repertoire: "Toccata y Lamento," a furious workout by former Milwaukee Symphony resident composer Roberto Sierra; "Primavera Porteno," a profoundly despairing tango by Astor Piazzolla, in Nicolella's penetrating arrangement; Berio's Sequenza XI and "Black is the Color"; Takemitsu's enigmatic "Equinox"; Richard Kranjac's "Tales of Velocity and Abandon"; Bryan Johanson's driving "Open up your Ears": and John Fitz Rogers' rock-god rave-up, "Push" for electric guitar.

On the gentle and contemplative side are Nicolella's own "Bridges" and "Three Brief Episodes," and Jimi Hendrix's soulful "Little Wing, " which is also played on electric guitar.

This engaging, intriguing, wide-ranging music makes me glad that Nicolella has strayed from the beaten path. The command and flair that he brings to it affirms what I thought when I first heard him ten years ago: Michael Nicolella could become one of the very best.