CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO WITH TONY LEVIN & PAT MASTELOTTO: CG3 + 2

How much better can CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO get? Most groups reach a certain point in development then everyone moves on. Not CGT. It seems each time I hear something new by this group of incredibly diverse and talented men I am just awe struck, left with my mouth hanging open. Well, they did it to me again. Tony Levin, the best bass player in the world, is onboard again for another smorgasbord of progressive rock. In addition, Pat Mastelotto is present to do all the tweaking and technical wizardry in the studio. The three members of CGT are quite enough talent by themselves ... then to add more outstanding talent to their already capable repertoire pushes the musical envelope a bit further, sending the entire project into the another musical realm that stands by itself.

The problem for me is I do not know where to start with this CD; the entire performance blew me away! Keep in mind I have a definite fondness for instrumental music, particularly progressive, so please forgive me for being so partial, and having a favorite genre that I like to rant and rave about. Of course, there has to be something legitimate to carry on about, and CGT always gives me enough ammunition.

One of the more captivating tracks is "Heart of the Sunrise." They use the intro to the YES classic "Long Distance Runaround" to open the song then strategically place it at different points to keep you off balance and wondering when its going to pop up again. This group can be masterful in disguising and utilizing other memorable tunes then blending them into their own. I notice that they do it frequently, but not so it is not an original composition, they never fail at improvising, manipulating, and making it their very own. They always sound like a different band on every song, it is really rather astonishing. "Zundoko-Bushi" is another amalgamation of modern day rock. It is a Japanese traditional song with excerpts from the celebrated KING CRIMSON track "21ST Century Schizoid Man." Then they suddenly whisk you off to another time and place thousands of years ago in their version of John McLaughlin's "Dance Of Maya." Their music is truly worldly, and very worthy of that all encompassing reference.

This is yet one more classic progressive rock masterpiece to add to your CGT collection. If you have not started one yet, now would be as good a time as any.