EROTIC CAKES

According to the bio here Guthrie won a guitar competition put on by Guitarist magazine back in 1993 which opened some doors for him as he would go on to teach guitar in schools as well as doing session work and becoming part of several bands. I became aware of this British guitarist through Steven Wilson as he played on his "The Raven That Refused To Sing(And Other Stories)". The guy can play, no doubts about that. This is an all instrumental album with the focus on the guitar and there's a strong Jazz flavour. We get a trio of guitar, bass and drums.

"Waves" opens with the faint sounds of waves and guitar before it kicks in much louder with drums, guitar and bass. Guthrie starts to light it up around a minute in then it settles back to the previous soundscape as this contrast continues. I really like how this sounds before 3 1/2 minutes. "Erotic Cakes" is heavier followed by some complex guitar soloing. Check it out 2 minutes in. "Wonderful Slippery Thing" is a jazzy, lighter number that's quite catchy. Some nice bass here as well. "Ner Ner" opens with strummed guitar but then he starts to solo as the bass and drums help out. He's ripping it up before 2 1/2 minutes. There's a good acoustic section around 3 minutes then it turns heavy. Some stop and start action before a relaxed sound takes over. Back to the main theme before 5 1/2 minutes. I like the drumming 6 minutes in then a guitar solo follows. "Fives" can be heard on the site here. I like the guitar expressions here and I like the drum work. It then kicks into gear and Guthrie is lighting it up after 2 minutes.

"Uncle Skunk" is an upbeat and pleasant ride. Nice bass especially 2 minutes in where he becomes the focus. A feel good tune. "Sevens" features a heavier sounding guitar which I like. It changes though with some intricate soloing then back to the heaviness as contrasts continue. The mellow parts are uplifting. "Eric" starts out reminding me of PT strangely enough. It changes though as this relaxing guitar joins in and I like the bass around 1 1/2 minutes. Some shrill guitar bits come and go. "Slidey Boy" has a rockish start but before 2 minutes it becomes much more relaxed including some welcomed atmosphere. Back to that heavier sound after 3 minutes. "Rhode Island Shred" sounds like a Blue Grass tune or maybe a DIXIE DREGS track. Very fast paced. "Hangover" is possibly my favourite track on here. I like the way the guitar soars and also the outburts of speed from Guthrie. I also like the way it winds down to end it.

This just hasn't grabbed me much at all. Sure there are many enjoyable moments but overall it's just not bringing much satisfaction. Maybe if it was more of a band thing instead of a guitar album, who knows? Good album though.