When I was asked to review this album I was told that I was in for something special and that the album was picking up glowing rave reviews in many respected music magazines and web sites and so my anticipation was wetted. My love of instrumental guitar music is well known amongst friends and when I hear something that gets the adrenaline rushing I feel a duty to let as many people know as possible of the artists name and also to share the great music. I want people to enjoy those musical rushes as much as me. Michael Orlando’s “Sonic Stomp” is one of those albums. I seem to have been really spoilt recently with great guitar instrumental releases from Paul Gilbert, Lelio Padovani and Edward Box. This release is so good it needs a track by track breakdown.

The album kicks off with “Wheels In Motion” a strong opening track and a full on guitar work out. The phrases are like going through the gear changes on a wild car drive. A load of ups and downs twists and turns. His playing reminds me of Steve Vai at his cheekiest. If guitars could do wheel spins and hand brake turns it would sound something like this. Great fun.

With “Sonic Stomp” one gets the feeling there must be no dusty bits on Mikes fret board as he sweep picks like crazy. Harmonised diminished runs with crazy phrasing lead into a good old shred guitar hoe down. Like “Wheels In Motion” this is a heck of a lot of fun.

“Game Over” sees Mike giving a special guest solo to Ron “BumbleFoot” Thal (currently treading the boards with the Guns And Roses live line-up). Ron’s solo is insane and totally unplayable unless your Ron Thal that is. Someone please tell me there is some whammy pedal abuse going on here as there are some outlandish leaps amongst the notes in the solo's. There is a moody middle breakdown, which left me thinking “this reminds me of something". After a few moments of trawling through the grey matter it came to me. It's reminiscent of Alex Lifeson's solo build up in “La Villa Strangiatto”. Not the guitar playing just the vibe. A galloping rhythm provides a backdrop to a glorious shredding outro solo.

Next up is “Jam On It" which kicks off with a wild tapped introduction. It's sort of a blues based number with frenetic soloing. It has a nice live feel and a spontaneous vibe. Mike fires of pentatonic licks like bullets and is it my ears or is there a nice nod of the hat to Jimmy Page and his solo to Zeppelins “Whole Lotta Love"? It appears a few bars ahead of Mike tapping away on his guitar as if his life depended on it. This is blues based shredding at its most extreme and it’s full of humour. Guitar players will listen to this and be grinning from ear to ear.

“Horizons" brings to mind Joe Satriani who single handedly created this style of song with “Always With Me Always With You” from his influential album “Surfing With the Alien". In Mike's “Horizons” there’s melody but also a lot more going on. It has awesome picking that John Petrucci would be proud of. I bet played live this song lets Mike really stretch out.

“Changes” starts tight and funky but leads into a nice Black Sabbath style backing over which Mike burns. You can almost smell the smoke as his fret board catches fire. The final stage of the song is rhythmically very much in the vein of Dream Theater and if John Petrucci hears it he will definitely be looking over his shoulder.

“Movement” has licks and guitar solos which are as relentless as waves crashing on the shore. The middle has an insane solo over a Spanish tinged backing. The playing again reminds me of Steve Vai in many places. Not the way it’s played just the vibe.

“Flex” has a great chunky and meaty opening riff which gets the foot tapping. In this song Mike keeps things relatively straight forward compared to the rest of the album. This song demonstrates effectively the power of a great guitar riff.

“Slam” is straight ahead no nonsense shredding. Wah-wah solos abound and there is a nice blues style solo which Mike takes into the outer reaches of planet guitar.

“Velvet Sky” has nice Hendrix style double stopped rhythm guitars over which Mike plays melodic and soulful patterns. Mike shows us he knows how to play for the song as well as tear it up. This is mature electric solo guitar playing.

“A Moment In Time” is the albums big movie moment. Over a background of ocean waves Mike plays melodic solos which sound grand in scale. It's almost the simplicity of the arrangement which make this track sound so big. Stand on the beach look out to sea and Mikes playing will take you wherever you want to go.

“Old School Boogie” does exactly what the title says .Straight from the school of Vai and Van Halen guitar boogie. It's sort of “Hot For Teacher” meets “The Audience Is Listening". It's not a parody of the afore-mentioned tracks more a tip of the hat and a knowing wink.

This album is chock full of superb guitar playing. It has a real positive feel to it and also has an ingredient which sometimes gets lost in this genre which is fun. I know on repeated listens I was still smiling after each sitting. What really wets my appetite is the thought of what this guy would be like live. Mike would be perfect on one of Joe Satriani’s G3 tours.

For lovers of guitar music this album is worth the effort of seeking out and is guaranteed to put a very big smile on your face.

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Track List

Wheels in Motion
Sonic Stomp
Game Over
Jam On It
Horizons
Changes
Movement
Flex
Slam
Velvet Sky
A Moment in Time
Old School Boogie