Frank Gambale - The Great Explorers (1993)

Frank Gambale was still a vital part of Chick Corea's Elektric Band when he recorded The Great Explorers, a hard-hitting, aggressive effort that generally has more in common with the instrumental rock of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani than the more complex jazz-fusion he embraced with Corea and Steve Smith's Vital Information. JVC asked retailers to place Explorers in both their jazz and rock sections, but in fact, the CD's jazz content isn't very sizeable (exceptions include the Pat Metheny-influenced "Cruising Altitude" and the poetic "Dawn over the Nullarbor"). Be that as it may, Explorers is a solid effort -- nothing remarkable, but enjoyable and honest. Vai and Satriani fans would do well to pay close attention to Explorers, while those who are only interested in hearing the guitarist play jazz-fusion will probably want to pass. -- Alex Henderson