WHAT IF

To me this album is the second greatest fusion album behind Birds of Fire by the Mahavishnu Orchestra. After delving into websites looking for guitar heroes I quickly heard of Steve Morse, a man who won so many guitar polls in the 80s that halls of fame were created by magazines simply to give other players a chance. What's great about Steve is that he crafts incredible songs and dazzles listeners with his skill without the benefit of conventional solos. "Take It Off The Top," "Ice Cakes," and "Night Meets Light" display a variety of styles without ever yielding the floor to Steve. At all times, Rod, Alan, Andy, and Mark are as much in the forefront as he is. This album is a classic not just of fusion but of instrumental rock everywhere, up there with Jeff Beck's Blow By Blow.

Grade: A-