Assuming the twenty-first century edition holds no definitions to the contrary, this is the perfect title for Lyle Workman's second solo outing, the long-awaited follow-up to Purple Passages released in 1995. A consummately skilled guitarist having risen from the ranks of 80's power-poppers Bourgeois Tagg, through studio and tour duties for (among others) Todd Rundgren, Jellyfish, Frank Black and currently Beck, tabula rasa also showcases further talents for composition and production that are seldom exploited in his work with other artists.

While never losing sight of his rock roots, Workman's music can be diverse, challenging, occasionally complicated yet always melodic and emotional, the tunes imbued with a romantic flair that tugs at the heart. His brilliant guitar playing is always to the fore, and rightly so; every guitarist who thinks they know how to deliver a solo should hear The Rising Of The Mourning Son, and despair!

Extra bonuses include a rare foray into keyboard-land; Jeff Babko supplies a lovely Rhodes solo in Splendid Outcast, recalling Max Middleton's work with Jeff Beck, followed by an extraordinary jazz-piano sequence from Lyle himself. Fellow-Californian guitar genius and Zappa alumnus Mike Keneally provides the album's only lyrics and vocal tracks on the fabulous Inhale, while former XTC guitarist Dave Gregory contributes a string arrangement to Th e Great Race - frantic and romantic in equal measure. Drumming superbly throughout is the inestimable Toss Panos - one of the few musicians capable of handling the mind-bending percussive requirements the music often demands. Extra sweeteners come courtesy of Dave Ristrim's pedal steel guitar and banjo, and a string section expressively conducted by Ed Goldfarb.

Guitarists of Lyle Workman's calibre are rare; while many may have the technical skills, few know how to use them to create great music. This is a brilliant album of instrumental songs, superbly recorded and produced, generously performed with love, passion and honesty.