Now here is a guitarist with a reputation as one of the hottest
new comers to the scene in recent years. Best know for
his work with Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie on his Elements
Of Persuasion album Marco Sfogli has delivered a superb
instrumental album in "There's Hope" with top
notch production, impeccable playing and a nice variety of styles.
Making good use of keyboards in the mix this leaves a lot of
room for Marco to deliver his classy playing with stunning results.
Sure you can hear Satriani and Vai in his work given the modern
nature of his play, but what Marco has done is make an album
that is immediately listenable and much accessible that recent
works from those 2 fans favourites. Opener “Still Hurts”
is a good example of what Sfogli is all about, emotive slower
passages with strong melodies coupled with blazing speed in
places to emphasis the passion in his play. “Andromeda”
is a track that Marco debuted on youtube a few months prior
to release where guitar websites lapped it up and rightly so,
think classic Satriani here. From here on its really more of
the same, a different vibe granted for each track that goes
to make a well rounded release from the Steve Morse tinges of
“Seven” with its beautiful interplay with piano, a bluesy
vibe is prevalent in “Spread The Disease” whilst “Farewell”
is perfect for that car journey cruising at speed.
“Sunset Lights” is quite prog and has a feel of Neal
Schon to these ears (very welcome indeed) whilst “Genius”
is a heavy prog riffer that has some stunning lead work.
“Never Forgive Me” sees the tempo drop for some very
warm licks, and sweet melodies whilst “Memories” take
things down a click further and this is Marco at his most emotive
and a highlight. The album closes with the mock chicken
picking of “Texas BBQ” and its sweet smelling sizzle
ends the album in upbeat manner.
“There’s Hope” has to be a serious contender for one of the
classic guitar instrumental debuts, the name
Marco Sfogli
is one you will be hearing a lot more about of this album is
anything to go by. Guitar fans buy today.
Rating – 92%
GEORGE
BELLAS - PLANETARY ALIGNMENT
Lion Music - Out Now
Second instrumental offering from Lion Music this month and
following hotly on the release of his George Bellas debut
band project Palace Terrace (much enjoyed by us at Virtuosity
One), the Illinois resident six string virtuoso will be known
by many for numerous albums he produced both as a solo artist
and with artists such as Mogg/Way, Ring Of Fire and John West
throughout the 1990’s and new millennium. Having found
a home with Lion Music for his 3rd solo album “Venomous
Fingers” and the aforementioned Palace Terrace album George
has now released his forth and most progressive album to date
in “Planetary Alignment”. Gone is much of the
overtly neo-classical flavour of previous releases to be replaced
with some of the most complex, progressive and inspired musical
passages George has ever wrote.
Whilst “Planetary Alignment” may not be as immediately
“understood” as other instrumental releases reviewed this month
(Marco Sfogli, Paul Gilbert) don’t let that put you off as George
is more unique and definitely has his own sound going.
Granted you can hear a little Uli Jon Roth and at times Brian
May in here, but Bellas has carved out a sound, technique and
method of writing that is so unique is impossible for it to
not attract your attention. Just be prepared to sit down
with this album and absorb it over numerous spins. The
epic 8 minute opener “Colour By Numbers” kicks the album off
in a very progressive manner and from here on it George introduced
other themes, subtleties and ideas throughout the rest of the
album. On the albums inspiration George states on his
website “The concept and inspiration behind Planetary Alignment
was the science of astrophysics. Each song was based on a particular
subject ranging from the smallest matter known to man, to the
largest and distant most objects in the universe. The goal was
to compose ultra-modern music using scales, chords and rhythms
not heard too often in music”. To say George
has achieved this aim would be an understatement.
To try and sum the music up in words is nigh on impossible so
I suggest you spend some time with this album and the whole
album becomes quite clear and special. For the most
part this is hugely enjoyable, at times I do wish George would
have a little more aggressive tone to really emphasise certain
licks and particularly on rhythm guitar parts, but the “Bellas
Lead Butter Tone” is somewhat of a trademark and recognisable
too (something all too often lacking in instrumental guitar
music) so probably is just personal preference. Overall
George Bellas has taken his work to another level of virtuosity
and only he will know where it will go from here.
Now here is a guitarist with a reputation as one of the hottest
new comers to the scene in recent years. Best know for
his work with Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie on his Elements
Of Persuasion album Marco Sfogli has delivered a superb
instrumental album in "There's Hope" with top
notch production, impeccable playing and a nice variety of styles.
Making good use of keyboards in the mix this leaves a lot of
room for Marco to deliver his classy playing with stunning results.
Sure you can hear Satriani and Vai in his work given the modern
nature of his play, but what Marco has done is make an album
that is immediately listenable and much accessible that recent
works from those 2 fans favourites. Opener “Still Hurts”
is a good example of what Sfogli is all about, emotive slower
passages with strong melodies coupled with blazing speed in
places to emphasis the passion in his play. “Andromeda”
is a track that Marco debuted on youtube a few months prior
to release where guitar websites lapped it up and rightly so,
think classic Satriani here. From here on its really more of
the same, a different vibe granted for each track that goes
to make a well rounded release from the Steve Morse tinges of
“Seven” with its beautiful interplay with piano, a bluesy
vibe is prevalent in “Spread The Disease” whilst “Farewell”
is perfect for that car journey cruising at speed.
“Sunset Lights” is quite prog and has a feel of Neal
Schon to these ears (very welcome indeed) whilst “Genius”
is a heavy prog riffer that has some stunning lead work.
“Never Forgive Me” sees the tempo drop for some very
warm licks, and sweet melodies whilst “Memories” take
things down a click further and this is Marco at his most emotive
and a highlight. The album closes with the mock chicken
picking of “Texas BBQ” and its sweet smelling sizzle
ends the album in upbeat manner.