EROTIC CAKES

When jazz rock and heavy metal get together

When I first saw this album, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I have never eve seen the name Guthrie Govan in my life and the album's name, Erotic Cakes, only signed to the worst expectations and even more confusing was seeing Erotic Cakes' cover on the jazz tray of the store. To my surprise, whne I first checked it, the album was not only good, but was spectacular!

Govan's music is something of an oddball. It sure is jazz rock, but not the normal kind that you would expect. Starting from the jazz part of the music, it is so fresh, vivid and emotional that you can easily relate to it. It feels like flowting in a calm, placid spot or place, wile witnessing how everything around that place is moving and changing. The rock (or metal) part of the music give it a completely different level. It gives the music more power and colour than your average jazz rock band.

Just to give an idea of how this album sound, imagine a mix of Derek Sherinian's Planet X and Inertia albums and his Planet X band, plus Fromuz's Overlook, Exivious' debut and Cynic's Traced in Air.

Grade and Final Thoughts

Maybe I have this album in such a high regard because I was caught completely off guard when I had my first listen of it, but this Guthrie Govan's solo effort is worth the masterpiece rating by its own merits. When you have the opportunity, get this album and you won't be disappointed.

Never judge an album by its cover...

This is the first (and so far only) solo release from highly respected but little known jazz fusion guitarist, Guthrie Govan.

The Good: Whilst I enjoy solo albums from many guitarists including the likes of John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Paul Gilbert etc. they do tend to either devolve into self indulgent exhibitions of virtuosity or compilations of various diluted styles. In both cases the rest of the instruments tend to play a more supporting role, such is the nature of the release.

Erotic Cakes is none of the above. Sure, there is no doubting Govan's technical ability, but the playing on display here is incredibly interesting, and the shredding tasteful. All of the songs have their own unique character with jazz rock undertones running throughout, and also features guest spots from Richie Kotzen and Bumblefoot. Whilst it is labelled a solo album, the bass and drums are also superb and the whole thing feels like the complete package. In fact, when performing these tracks they are billed as Erotic Cakes the band, rather than just Guthrie Govan.

The Bad: Joint award for the worst album art and worst album title of all time.

The Verdict: Looking forward to a second release!

First of all, you should know that Guthrie Govan is one of the world's best guitarists. If you can't enjoy fast and technical guitar playing; this may not be for you. Although, this CD also features some very sexy and smooth melodies. Seth Govan (Guthrie's brother) played bass for this record. He keeps up and holds the pocket well. Pete Riley does a wonderful job keeping the excitement high with his impressive drumming.

Waves - This song features a very smooth legato slide technique sounding similar to liquid, which is reasonably why it's called waves. The bass playing is very tight and fits the song perfectly. This song is prominently in 4/4.

Erotic Cakes - It sounds like this song is changing though crazy time signatures, but it is actually in 4/4 with a 5/4 groove section. It's very chromatic sounding, but unique and bold. Once the 5/4 bass groove sets in, you can't help but to dig in. There is a very entertaining solo sections with cool drum, bass, and guitar doodling.

Wonderful Slippery Thing - This is probably the jazziest song of Erotic Cakes. It has a great chord progression and melody. Totally a masterpiece. In my opinion; this could be considered a new Jazz Standard. The passing tones and clean guitar sounds are very good.

Ner Ner - This is a fun little song that features some slap bass. The whammy pedal might annoy some people, but I think it's fun.

Fives - The boys set one of the best 5/4 grooves I've ever heard in this tune. The tapping and guitar lead section is insane. You will not believe what you hear. This also features a very intimate and beautiful bass solo with tone to die for.

Uncle Skunk - This song actually features moving harmonies, which many guitarists don't utilize. Most guitar players would have a guitar, let's say, a 5th apart from the main melody. Guthrie changes the distances and creates a very interesting composition.

Sevens - This tune features 7 finger tapping, it's the 7th track and Guthrie decided to use many 7 chords.. Maybe that's why it's called Sevens? Either way; the tapping is insanely clean. The drumming is top notch. It's hard to believe that one guy is doing all of it! Pete really has a mastery of ghost notes while playing in odd meters. It really brings the groove out.

Eric - Things tone down a bit and Eric is a great slow tune to listen to. It features some pretty slide guitar.

Slidey Boy - This song has a tight bass section along with a great clean guitar melody. A true fusion tune.

Rhode Island Rhred - Whether you like Country music or not, this song is fun! It features Bumblefoot if I'm not mistaken. Some of the hybrid picking and authentic country styles are enjoyable.

Hangover - This song is very different, but it makes sense to me. The polyrhythms Pete performs near the end of the tune are very cool.

This album is a MUST buy for anyone who enjoys jazz, fusion, or mind blowing musicianship. Guthrie is without a doubt a prodigy of guitar. He does everything for a reason and he's a true master of improvisation. Many of the solos on the record are improvised!

'Erotic Cakes' - Guthrie Govan (9/10)

Even half a decade after this has been released, there has still been some buzz over this virtuoso guitarist's work amongst friends and acquaintances. Being a guitarist myself, I can always appreciate the talent and skill- not to mention the time and effort- that it takes to become a truly great guitarist, but with all too many instrumental rock guitarists, I find myself frankly bored by much of their one-sided, overindulgent music. Enter Guthrie Govan, an English fusion guitarist who- much like Tosin Abasi of Animals As Leaders- seems to be revitalizing the scene of instrumental rock guitar. A rare masterpiece of this sort of music, Guthrie Govan's incredible skill at playing and tasteful tact of songwriting makes his debut, 'Erotic Cakes' essential listening for its style.

As the label of 'instrumental rock guitar' would imply, the center of this music is Govan's axe work, which shows him dabbling in a number of styles, including hard rock, blues, but most notably; hard-edged jazz. Throughout all of these, Guthrie Govan manages to harness his tone and give a clear, fitting sound to all of these different avenues, all the while drawing in seductive melodies and themes into his lead playing. Guthrie could be the phenomenal guitarist that he is, and still end up making a boring album if it weren't for his clever use of melodies and atmosphere in the songwriting. While there are plenty of less structured 'solo' sections where he effortlessly impresses with his beautifully flowing improvisations, each song gives the definite feeling that it is going somewhere, and that the listener isn't merely sitting by idly while Guthrie gives his virtuoso musician's equivalent of a child calling out and saying "hey, look what I can do!" 'Erotic Cakes' shows a satisfying balance of necessary showboating and quality composition. On a less positive note, these songs don't necessarily compliment each other on an albumwide scale, but each song is consistent, despite the fact that he is drawing from a number of different styles.

Making 'Erotic Cakes' an even better listen is that this is not merely a 'guitar' album; believe it or not, there are actually other musicians at work here as well, and talented ones at that. Bassist Seth Govan (Guthrie's brother, I will assume) makes some great slap bass fills here that fill out the sound beautifully, ensuring that there is always something else out there for a listener to focus on, if they want a change from the guitars. The drummer here is best suited for jazz, but manages to fluctuate based on whatever style Guthrie is leading the band into. A really excellent performance here from each member of the band.

I would really love to see Guthrie Govan churn out a second album, because without a doubt, 'Erotic Cakes' is one of the best- if not the best- instrumental rock guitar album I have ever heard. I went into it not knowing what to expect, and came out of it dazzled. A masterpiece album from a style I do not normally enjoy much. 'Erotic Cakes' has me turned on.