Session and backup band keyboardist
Derek Sherinian seems to understand that, when it comes to jazz-rock fusion music, the electric guitar is king, at least from the evidence of his solo album Oceana.
Sherinian, who has backed such stars as
Buddy Miles,
Alice Cooper, and
Kiss and been a member of groups including
Dream Theater and, most recently,
Black Country Communion, usually contents himself with co-writing the instrumental tunes on the album with drummer
Simon Phillips, then joining
Phillips and bassist Jimmy Johnson in providing musical support to one of a number of guest star guitarists. These start with speed demon shredder
Tony MacAlpine on "Five Elements" and "Mercury 7," though
Sherinian allows himself a rare piano solo in the middle of the former. The latter comes off like a slightly faster version of the kind of tracks
Jeff Beck put on his ‘70s fusion albums
Blow by Blow and
Wired.
MacAlpine's speed is replaced by
Steve Lukather's more expressive playing on "Mulholland" and "Euphoria," while
Steve Stevens splits the difference on "Ghost Runner."
Sherinian makes more of an impression as a player on his own album toward the end of the disc, notably on the keyboard-heavy "Seven Sins," which still leaves room for
Lukather to get in some strong solos, however. It's easy to tell why a performer as supportive and self-effacing as
Sherinian has managed to fit in so well in so many different ensembles over the years, since, even when his own name is on the cover, he mostly focuses on blending in rather than standing out. ~ William Ruhlmann