The last couple of months have seen some great guitar rock instrumental albums being released. Is there room for another one? Well I’m happy to say without hesitation after listening to Alex Masi’s latest creation the answer is a resounding “yes”.

Alex first hit the music scene in the mid 1980’s with the band Masi, won a Grammy nomination for 1989’s “Attack Of The Neon Shark” and in the late 1990’s released the first in a current trilogy of “In The Name Of.” Recordings of classical works by Bach, Mozart and most recently Beethoven.2004 saw a collaboration with John Macaluso and Randy Coven entitled M.C.M and for the last couple of years he has been deepening his studies of Indian, Arabic and Persian music.

Let me say straightaway this album is “cool, far out, experimental and exhilarating”. Now I can imagine a lot of guitarists saying “hang on a minute cool, far out and experimental? That doesn't sound like the Alex Masi we know. He's neo-classical”.

Well folks on this album we have an almost re-born guitarist who is playing with total abandon and freedom that is a joy to hear. After years of dedication to his instrument Masi is on this release reaping the rewards of being able to play whatever goes through his mind. You won’t hear Yngwie style formula licks on this album.

Alex plays all guitars, bass, tabla, bells and loops on this release and is joined on drums once again by John Macaluso (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ark). The album was born out of informal raw jams. Masi put bass to Macaluso’s grooves. Their aim was for spontaneity to be their motivator. They had no preconceived ideas or melodies. Their focus was just to make music, and what glorious music it is.

The sound and production at times almost make you feel that you are in the room with them. At times I was almost egging them both along from my seat in front of the hi-fi.

Alex's love of Arab and Persian music really comes out on this release. He creates melodies and phrasing, which sound fresh, mysterious and really draw the listener in. Macaluso weaves hypnotic rhythms and compliments Masi’s guitar playing perfectly.

This album shows Masi enjoying his playing. He sounds relaxed, refreshed and inspired. There is also a sense of fun that is often lacking from this genre. On “Tiktaalik In Evolution” Alex even manages to weave in a few bars of Black Sabbath.

Apparently the album took a few years to complete due to work commitments and sessions. Well one can tell that it has been a labour of love and Masi’s perseverance at getting this album out should be commended. Masi has given us an album with the rare ingredients of originality and spontaneity. Music lovers with open ears will love it.

My lasting impression of the album was that I kept thinking “what are they going to do next” as I listened to each track. Even on many further listens that feeling stayed with me. Track this album down. Crank it up and let Alex Masi take you on a crazy guitar trip. I guarantee once it’s over you’ll want to do it all over again.

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Track List

Vagina Denata
You Asked
Antistructure
Love Is A Resonance
Asparagus Piss
Disembodied In Mojave
Tiktaalik In Evolution
The Smess Of Weightlessness
Telling England By The Sound
His/Her Dosage
Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t?
Unsolved

Line Up

Alex Masi - Guitars/Bass/Loops
John Macaluso - Drums