skiesWIDEopen is John Inman's sophomore release. The album plays boldly with tone and melody remaining in the forefront, as well as diversity. The disc features guest players to fit each track and give it a life and feel of it's own. The opening track "seduction" opens up with an undeniable funk/groove that will hook you from the start, leading into "theRAIN" which is a total Journey-esque/AOR style rocker that wastes no time at all getting to the shred fills...yet maintaining a melodic head. "southernWINDS" is a totally smooth, airy feeling soft rock/ballad featuring some awesome bass movements from bassist Martin. "forceMAJEURE" and "desere'e" are smooth jazz numbers featuring session jazz sax ace David Lee Schloss... for a truly sultry and sassy feel. "acrobat" is an upbeat, firey fusion-rocker featuring a guest solo performance by G9 artist Michael Harris, as well as a kicking rhythm section with Martin and Bittick. The title track is an experimental prog-rocker featuring Rick Read on Chapman Stick, and drummer Ross Young for a blazing performance. The tracks "elPASOsixtyNINE" and "desere'e'" show a slight Latin jazz departure for John, while tracks like "inside" and the subtle/quiet "afterHOURS"slow things down and speak more softly. Overall, once again, an album of varied moods and tones... such as the artist himself.
| 1 | Seduction Instrumental Guitar | 4:16 |
| 2 | TheRAIN Instrumental Guitar | 4:36 |
| 3 | SouthernWINDS Instrumental Guitar | 3:14 |
| 4 | NowTHATyou'reGONE Instrumental Guitar | 4:06 |
| 5 | SweetSURRENDER Instrumental Guitar | 5:27 |
| 6 | Acrobat Instrumental Guitar | 4:50 |
| 7 | Inside Instrumental Guitar | 4:43 |
| 8 | ForceMAJEURE Instrumental Guitar | 4:52 |
| 9 | ElPASOsixtynine Instrumental Guitar | 3:41 |
| 10 | NewFRONTIER Instrumental Guitar | 4:15 |
| 11 | SkiesWIDEopen Instrumental Guitar | 4:34 |
| 12 | Desire'e Instrumental Guitar | 4:58 |
| 13 | AfterHOURS Instrumental Guitar | 4:10 |
