Neal Schon I On U

Tuesday, 01 March 2005 14:52

The opening seconds of "Blue Passion" is enough to let you know Neal Schon is one of the most inspiring rock guitarists ever. The guitarist, who was the hired-gun for Carlos Santana as a teenager, who ruled the world with his band Journey in the mid 1980s and who has snagged acclaim & awards for 30 years, is not one to look back. Instead, he forges ahead and with his incredible new instrumental CD, "I On U".

The record features funky grooves, interesting changes, surreal moods, a hard edge, and Neal's searing guitar weaving magical melodies one moment and cutting heads the next. This guy is amazing. The title track builds elaborate musical structures that feature more guitar tones than you can shake a stick at and leads into the reflective but intense "Timeless Motion". Song after song of musical journey find Neal fearlessly experimenting with everything from backdrops of smooth jazz to techno to funk while never losing his signature rocking sound, which is defined by passion, taste, and fire.

Prediction: If his label, Favored Nations, is half as smart as I hope they are, they'll produce a music video. Neal will then do for instrumental rock music what Joe Satriani did in the 1980s. Joe, for those unaware, had the surprise disc of the era, going platinum from nowhere and turning an entire generation on to the genre - a feat I predict Neal will match should his management & label choose to tap the mainstream market.

Yes, this CD is THAT good. Neal has written strong songs with fantastic grooves & melodies and has plenty of room to shine as a guitarist without this becoming just another self-indulgent shred-fest. There is no obvious single because every single track stands up and grabs you. Every track, folks - not a weak song to be found on this 12 song collection. "Moon Dust", "Burning Bridges", "Father" - all of them beautiful soundscapes waiting to be heard.

Certainly one of the best CDs out so far this year, one that will doubtless stand the test of time and emerge as a classic.

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