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Oscar Jordan
Tracy G Group
Tramp
Ronnie James Dio unleashed a slew of championship guitarists, but one notable who flew under the radar was Tracy Grijalva. An underrated genius, he contributed to some of the darkest and most terrifying playing in the ’90s-era Dio catalogue. The albums Strange Highways and Angry Machines are Exhibit A. If you have any doubts, check
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Oscar Jordan
Joe Satriani
Capturing the Energy
Joe Satriani’s new album, What Happens Next, is a terrific back-to-basics effort with Satch in a trio format. Enlisting Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and former Deep Purple singer/bassist Glenn Hughes, he employs soaring melodies elevated by the strong musical personalities and chemistry. He has also released a tour documentary directed by his
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Oscar Jordan
JHS Pink Panther
Diamond Delay
To mark the 10th anniversary of its original Pink Panther delay, JHS has created an updated edition that packs a plethora of cool appointments in an attractive box. Modeled after the sounds of the old DOD DFX9, Boss DD-5, and Ibanez DE7, the new Pink Panther not only delivers the crisp flexibility of a digital
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Oscar Jordan
Radial Tonebone Hot British V9 and North-Star
Tone Deep Down
Since the mid ’90s, Radial Engineering has been making audio products with a rep for superb performance and top-tier construction. Its Tonebone pedal line has gained exceptional street cred, finding long-term arrangements on the pedalboards of some of the baddest cats in the six-string arena. The company’s Hot British V9 is an updated solidstate version
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Oscar Jordan
Smooth Shred
Greg Howe
After Greg Howe’s epiphany to distinguish himself from the glut of arpeggio-sweeping classical-music pirates, his career took the kind of turns you would never imagine – especially with contemporaries like Jason Becker, Vinnie Moore, and Marty Friedman. After the release of his 1988 self-titled debut (which ranks as one of the top-10 shred albums of
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Oscar Jordan
Bootzilla
Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins’ first album in six years continues the tradition of 2011’s Tha Funk Capital Of The World by enlisting special guests to extend his funkalicious reach. Proselytizing the holy gospel of uncut funk, Bootsy’s brethren include Buckethead, Victor Wooten, Dennis Chambers, Stanley Clarke, Eric Gales, and the late Bernie Worrell. And because the funk
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Oscar Jordan
Montrose
Live Forever, Never Get Old
Montrose was one of the first American rock bands to kick Brit-rock ass in the early ’70s. Made up of Sammy Hagar on vocals, drummer Denny Carmassi, bassist Bill Church, and guitarist Ronnie Montrose, it formed in 1973, after Ronnie played guitar on Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey, and Ted Templeman produced their self-titled debut album.
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Oscar Jordan
Ernie Isley
Burning Desire
Contrary to what longtime fans may have heard, Ernie Isley didn’t take guitar lessons from Jimi Hendrix. Though Ernie hung out with Hendrix in the Isley’s home while Jimi was a member of the family band, it was before Ernie had picked up the guitar. That brush with the legend may have inspired the youngest
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Oscar Jordan
Jackie Venson
Emotional Intelligence
Soul-pop stylist Jackie Venson has been conquering the road-warrior touring circuit, and gained an enviable spot on Gary Clark, Jr.’s tour. The Strat-wielding songstress’ new EP, Transcends, extends her melodic reach to a wider audience with a bundle of passion, fretboard acumen, and conviction. With a pleasing voice, an ear for melody, composing chops, and
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Oscar Jordan
Greg Howe
A New Wheelhouse
Greg Howe is a globe-trotting, guitar-clinic-teaching, concert-performing fusion monster. He’s known for taking risks and pushing his playing into fresh environments. His latest album, Wheelhouse, shows the guitarist coming full circle to delve into the stylistic tropes that brought him worldwide attention. Crammed with funky grooves and wah-imbued soloing, it also contains soul-drenched blues, swing,
