Steve Erquiaga - Erkiology (1990)
Jazz-Rock, Fusion, Instrumental | FLAC tracks, cue, log, scans, playlist | 329 MB (3%)
Label: Windham Hill Records
This is one fine album, among the greatest fusion efforts of its type. First, Erquiaga proves himself to be quite a composer. Check out almost any one of the songs – "San Sebastian," with it's ancien myterioso sensibility; "Pick It Up," with its impossibly natty island groove, brilliantly transformed mid-cut with a completely unexpected rhythmic shift and Narell coming in with some perfect guest steel-pan playing; the title cut, with its California live-oak-on-golden-hillside feel, "Afro-Centric," with its subtle synth washes courtesy of the great Mitchell Forman, its deep sax groove, and Erquiaga's finest solo on record. Second, his bandmates, especially Glen Cronkhite on percussion, always seem to provide the perfect atmosphere for him to unfold his unfailingly interesting melodic and rhythmic conceptions. Third, Erquiaga is, simply, a great guitarist, whether playing tasty rhythmic fills or single-note runs. 5 of 5 stars on Amazon!