Frank Gambale - Coming To Your Senses (2000)

Ever since bursting onto the scene in the late '80s with Chick Corea, guitarist Frank Gambale has been a frustration for fans and critics. Finding an appropriate musical setting for his unique jazz/metal approach has proved difficult over the course of his career. He has tried his hand at contemporary jazz, hard rock, pop/rock, and fusion, all to varying degrees of success, but Coming to Your Senses proves to be the perfect forum for his hybrid style. Here Gambale sounds like the mature, seasoned guitarist that he is, still with chops to spare, but with an improved harmonic sophistication coupled with Larry Carlton-type taste and restraint. The compositions are more interesting than on his previous efforts and are no longer simply vehicles for his extemporaneous solos or contrite pop. He is joined here by keyboardist Hans Zermhuelen, heralded bassist Ricc Fierabracci, and four different drummers. This is familiar territory, but a first for Gambale in that he has finally combined all of his talents into a cohesive whole.