Derek Sherinian - Oceana (2011)

Tracklist

01. Five Elements (4:37)
02. Mercury 7 (4:29)
03. Mulholland (5:56)
04. Euphoria (5:34)
05. Ghost Runner (4:54)
06. El Camino Diablo (5:06)
07. I Heard That (4:53)
08. Seven Sins (5:56)
09. Oceana (5:38)

personnel :

Derek Sherinian – keyboard, engineering, production, executive production
Tony MacAlpine – guitar (tracks 1, 2)
Steve Lukather – guitar (tracks 3, 4, 8)
Steve Stevens – guitar (tracks 5, 9)
Doug Aldrich – guitar (track 6)
Joe Bonamassa – guitar (track 7)
Simon Phillips – drums, engineering, mixing, production
Jimmy Johnson – bass (except tracks 5, 9)
Tony Franklin – bass (tracks 5, 9)
Alex Todorov – engineering
Brad Vance – mastering

Session and backup band keyboardist Derek Sherinian seems to understand that, when it comes to jazz-rock fusion music, the electric guitar is king, at least from the evidence of his solo album Oceana. Sherinian, who has backed such stars as Buddy Miles, Alice Cooper, and Kiss and been a member of groups including Dream Theater and, most recently, Black Country Communion, usually contents himself with co-writing the instrumental tunes on the album with drummer Simon Phillips, then joining Phillips and bassist Jimmy Johnson in providing musical support to one of a number of guest star guitarists. These start with speed demon shredder Tony MacAlpine on "Five Elements" and "Mercury 7," though Sherinian allows himself a rare piano solo in the middle of the former. The latter comes off like a slightly faster version of the kind of tracks Jeff Beck put on his ‘70s fusion albums Blow by Blow and Wired. MacAlpine's speed is replaced by Steve Lukather's more expressive playing on "Mulholland" and "Euphoria," while Steve Stevens splits the difference on "Ghost Runner." Sherinian makes more of an impression as a player on his own album toward the end of the disc, notably on the keyboard-heavy "Seven Sins," which still leaves room for Lukather to get in some strong solos, however. It's easy to tell why a performer as supportive and self-effacing as Sherinian has managed to fit in so well in so many different ensembles over the years, since, even when his own name is on the cover, he mostly focuses on blending in rather than standing out.~ William Ruhlmann