David Becker - The Lonely Road (2015)

Nominated for two Grammies, David Becker is as solid of a straight-ahead jazz guitarist as you’ll ever hear. But on “The Lonely Road,” Becker leaves behind the collaborative nature of his usual trio for a solo outing, building an orchestra of acoustic and electric guitars. While “The Lonely Road” exists under the umbrella of jazz, it presents an amalgamation of styles, and there are several times when the album’s vibe drifts into folky territory by featuring a high-voiced acoustic steel-string sound in the foreground.

With its great tunes, complex arrangement, and varied sounds, “The Lonely Road” is bound to please fans of advanced jazz guitar chops as much as any listener who simply wants to be taken on an instrumental music journey.