Hearing
Isotope guitarist
Gary Boyle's debut solo album for the first time way back when, the album seemed like a bold and daring progressive guitar showcase -- and it's aged exceptionally well across three decades.
Boyle plays like a cross between
Steve Hackett and
John McLaughlin, and his backing band -- including
Rod Argent on organ and
Morris Pert and
Simon Phillips on percussion and drums -- is just as good at the same level of playing.
Boyle has a great bag of songs and tricks that he parades out here in full glory. The 2006 CD reissue only enhances the crispness of the sound and, in the process, the precision of the playing and the detail of what all of these musicians are doing. This is a very busy record, encompassing elements of progressive rock and jazz, and even a little tribute to
Brian Auger in "Maiden Voyage." ~ Bruce Eder