Jack Grassel Guitar Smoke

Jack Grassel's playing has matured wonderfully; compare the excellent, but quite different, versions of Giant Steps on this solo album and his similar Solo Burner from the early 90s. Fiery intensity replaces intent fireworks, linear melodies magically transform into densely-layered orchestral harmonies, the pupil youth has become a youthful master. Late on the album, Bailey-like disjoint avant-gardism shows another exciting dimension to his playing, and throughout the lush tones of the Jazzica Custom abound on this Hofner/Boosey & Hawkes-sponsored recording, bringing us an acoustic delight.