This release marked a new era for
Steve Khan.
Eyewitness was essentially birthed of earlier jam session/improv ideas, and the chemistry between each musician, plus polished-up ideas readied for final studio recording.
Khan had returned to his college-days Gibson guitar purity of tone and a touch of reverb, laying aside his Fender Telecaster and big band mindset to groove with friends over eclectic rhythms of
Manolo Badrena,
Steve Jordan, and exotic bass grooves only the creative genius of
Anthony Jackson could lay down. Just listen to "Guy Lafleur" and stand slack-jawed at
Jackson's solo.
Khan states this is probably his favorite recording due to that synergistic magic that came about in the presence of his bandmates. This melodic and relaxed jazz fusion holds a fiery tension that is evident everywhere. A sense of mystery and dreamy expectation flow within each song, as
Khan weaves a tapestry of excellent guitarscapes and meandering solos that flirt with structure and form, but always avoid the expected norm.
The groundbreaking compositions and their execution on
Eyewitness have served to unlock the creative spark of many a jazz and jazz fusion musician to come. ~ John W. Patterson