Jeff Kollman-"East of Heaven "

Sixth personal work from COSMOSQUAD axeman and you'll find everything, rhythmic metal shredding at 'Superstring theory' with Schenker, Satriani all around. More jazzy, fusion moment at "Loss", "Montecatini jazz" with its Django Reindhardt picking, and some eclectic  hand picking neo classical , arabesque, flamenco influenced ones at "Insomnia" and "Isolation 2020". Jeff Kollman along with Paul Shihadeh (Bass), Shane Gaalaas (Drums)and Guy Allison (Keyboards) present us with a shredding,instrumental album straight from the golden Shrapnel years. Tony Macalpine and Vinnie Moore would be proud but Jeff Kollman needs no comparisons. He is a master of his instrument himself and has the diversity and abilities spread all around the album. Listen to the more blues/Gary Moore influenced "Ghostly" and enjoy a player expressing his ideas , beyond the metal territory restrictions, limitations. 

 

 

 

What impresses me more at this album is the use of melody, instead of scales and musical fireworks, mimicking classical music that a lot of his fellow guitarists use to impress."67-XR7" is another standout track while "Isolation 2020"is self explanatory. based on guitar harmonies, the soundtrack of the lost year. An instrumental album that lets its creator explore, enjoy and share with us the listeners, musical moments of innovation, imagination and clarity.

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