Secret Space

If you like daredevil guitar work, then Guitar Garden is for you. On its brand-new CD, Secret Space, the volume is cranked up and the beats are heavier, making for a potent and melodic instrumental experience from Guitar Garden's fiery lead guitarist, Pete Prown. Key tracks on the new album include the ferocious guitar rocker, "Evolution X", which pays homage to great players like Al Di Meola and Carlos Santana in a series of blistering solos from Prown and guest guitarist, Rich Maloof. Meanwhile, the moody title track, is an homage to Flower Kings guitarist Roine Stolt. Prown states, "Roine reminded me that it's okay to play blues guitar in a prog context. And he does it so brilliantly - he's such a soulful player. I just had to pay him back, even just a little bit, for that bit of inspiration." Secret Space also involves a few "surprise" tracks, like the country-flavored--and wryly titled "Proggy Mountain Breakdown" (featuring a catchy slide-guitar solo from Rich Maloof), and also "Mandolin Blue", a refreshing track featuring an angelic mix of mandolin, echo-laden electric guitar, and lush acoustic melodies.