A sneak peak of Paul Gilbert’s upcoming album ‘Fuzz Universe’ aired on Rock On Radio FM802 in Japan:

\m/ >< \m/ sounds immense, can’t wait for the album!

The album is on sale now in Japan but we have to wait a little longer til July 13th here in the UK.

Take Your Pick‘

You can grab a free copy of the song ‘Tokyo Night’ by entering your name and email address here

Here’s the official blurb on the new album:

“TAKE YOUR PICK”

This unique paring of modern Eastern and Western guitar styles promises to deliver a collection of music unlike any other.

Eighteen‐time Grammy nominee, three‐time Grammy winner and all‐time guitar great, Larry Carlton established himself from his first recording, A Little Help From My Friends. His studio credits include musicians and groups like Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Herb Alpert, Quincy Jones, Bobby Bland, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and literally dozens of others. He went on to perform with the Crusaders and then with the multi platinum jazz super group Fourplay. With 30 albums to his credit and having performed on over 100 albums that have gone Gold or Platinum, Larry Carlton has set a standard for artistry that spans three decades.

In 2008 Larry Carlton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Guitar Player magazine at the historical Ryman Auditorium and was presented the “Titan of Tone” award from Premier Guitar Magazine at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Larry also picked up 2 more Grammy nominations in 2009 bringing his career total to 18 nominations with 3 Grammy wins! Larry’s “Greatest Hits Rerecorded ‐ Volume One” released by 335 Records was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album and “Fortune Teller” from Fourplay’s Energy was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

“It must have taken more than one lifetime of music to produce Larry Carlton, he is the sum and son of a long lineage, beyond time, and beyond rational explanations of dedication or practice, the work of his hands speaks grace and passion and timeless knowledge. Listen, learn and be profoundly moved.” ‐ Sting.

“If Royal Scam is the definitive Steely Dan guitar album, then Larry Carlton is the reason why.” ‐ Walter Becker

Championed in his homeland as the most renowned guitarist in all of Asia, Tak Matsumoto is equally revered as chief songwriter, guitarist and producer of the Japanese rock band, B’z. Counting a legacy of 12 albums, B’z truly means big business, having sold a combined 80 million units in Japan alone, not surprisingly making them Japan’s best‐ selling band in history. 2002, in particular, served as a landmark year for Tak with the Japanese release of his much heralded instrumental albums, Hana and “Dragon From The West”. Hana, most noticeably, garnered rave reviews, its powerfully flowing melodies evocative of scenic horizons of the Orient. The album’s bonus track, “Trinity,” finds Tak stretching the boundaries of “rock” guitar, blending different tastes in the melodies while retaining the same distinctive Japanese spirit. Instrumental Guitar (Electric (Heavy) / Rock/World). In 1999 he was given his own Signature Model Les
Paul by Gibson and was added to Gibson’s signature artist club. He is the only guitarist from Asia to be added to the club.

Album Track Listing:

1. Jazzy Bullets
2. Nite Crawler 2010
3. The Way We Were
4. Islands of Japan
5. Neon Blue
6. Tokyo Night
7. Hotalu
8. East West Stroll
9. Easy Mystery
10. ao
11. Take Your Pick
12. A Girl From China

Iron Maiden have released a free download of the song ‘El Dorado’ from their new studio album ‘The Final Frontier’ which will be released on August 16th.

Singer Bruce Dickinson explains ‘El Dorado is a preview of the forthcoming studio album. As we will be including it in the set of our Final Frontier World Tour (which opens in Dallas On 9th June – full dates below) we thought it would be great to thank all our fans and get them into The Final Frontier mood by giving them this song up front of the tour and album release’

The band reunited with long-time Maiden producer Kevin “Caveman” Shirley in early 2010 at Compass Point Studios, Nassau to record the album and then moved to LA to finish the recording and do the mixing. Compass Point Studio is very familiar to the band, it was where they recorded the Piece Of Mind (’83), Powerslave (’84) and Somewhere In Time (’86) albums.

Bruce comments “The studio had the same vibe and it was EXACTLY as it had been in 1983, NOTHING had changed! Even down to the broken shutter in the corner…same carpet….everything… It was really quite spooky. But we felt very relaxed in such a familiar and well-trodden environment and I think this shows in the playing and the atmosphere of the album”

Thirty years on from their eponymous debut album in April 1980, The Final Frontier will be Maiden’s 15th studio album, making a remarkable average of a new album every two years for 30 years and totalling over 80 million album sales during this period.

The full tracklisting for the album (total running time 76:35) is:

THE FINAL FRONTIER
1. Satellite 15….The Final Frontier 8:40
2. El Dorado 6:49
3. Mother Of Mercy 5:20
4. Coming Home 5:52
5. The Alchemist 4:29
6. Isle Of Avalon 9:06
7. Starblind 7:48
8. The Talisman 9:03
9. The Man Who Would Be King 8:28
10. When The Wild Wind Blows 10:59

Rick Graham’s forthcoming album ‘Inside Out’ is now available for pre-order from his website at http://www.rick-graham.co.uk

Here’s what Rick had to say:

Hey guys my new album is now available for preorder at my new website here:

http://www.rick-graham.co.uk/index.html

and will start shipping on the 7th June. I had to make a slight change on the original 1st June date. The album was mixed and mastered by the awesome Carl Roa at Magic Elf Studios www.carlroa.com artwork by the exceptionally talented Stephen Van Baalen www.stevetheater.daportfolio.com

Rick Graham has posted a sneak preview of two tracks from his upcoming album ‘Inside Out’ which will be released on June 1st on Digital Nations.

If you’ve never heard of Jon Gomm you’re missing out!

A gigging machine, Jon has been playing his brilliant blend of virtuosic acoustic guitar and great vocals for many many years now. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform live few years ago and was blown away.

His new album, ‘Don’t Panic’, will be released on December 7th:

Don’t Panic is the follow up to debut album Hypertension, released way back in December 2003. Why the long wait?

“I made the first record shortly after I’d put together a solo acoustic set and wanted to start touring: it was just a demo to get gigs. I made it a full length album because back then the gig fee was barely covering my petrol money, and I needed something to sell!”

This plan worked a little too well, and Gomm has been touring hard ever since, taking his unique brand of virtuosic acoustic guitar-playing to prestigious festivals around Europe and a punishing tour schedule centred around the UK and Italy, and a new album has had to wait.

The new CD features stronger songs, showcasing Jon’s genuine grasp of a wide range of genres from blues to jazz to rock to country, which comes from his lifelong experience as a session musician and musical academic. Throw in some Urdu lyrics and you’re getting the picture – a one man melting pot. The songs range from dark laments, to sweet melodies, to frenzied romps and there’s even elements of the humour for which Jon’s live shows are renowned.

The guitar playing here is perhaps even more technically demanding than the previous CD too:

“Every time I arrange a new guitar part I make sure I can’t play it without practice. I love the technical aspect as much as the creative process of songwriting, although they are very much separate affairs.”

And as with the debut album, there are no overdubs here, although it may sound like it: there is never more than one guitar on every track.

Jon’s fiercely independent approach to the music industry has meant that the CD was home recorded and is released on the label he owns, which will be launching releases by other artists – including a Grammy winner – in 2010.

Record Label: Performing Chimp Records
Cat no: PCCD006
Mp3s from iTunes and all digital download sites. CDs from Amazon and www.jongomm.com

Jon is available for interview. Mp3s also available. Please contact Natasha at performingchimp@ntlworld.com.

Here’s a taster of the sheer musicality of the man:

Check out more on Jon’s Youtube Channel.

Out of curiosity was checking to see if Andy Wood’s debut solo album ‘A Disconcerting Amalgam’ was available from Amazon and lo and behold it is now available!

Buying my copy right now!

Great to see that Andy Wood’s Solo album ‘A Disconcerting Amalgam’ is now available!

It’ll be available on iTunes from mid August.

As a taster check out some teaser tracks.

Spotted over on the Guitar Channel, the debut album from Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats ( featuring Jeff Kollman on guitar, Kevin Chown on Bass, Ed Roth on keys and of course Chad Smith on Drums ) entitiled ‘Meet The Meatbats’ will be released on September 15th!

You can pre-order a copy direct from Warrior Records here.

Street Sweeper Social Club, featuring Tom Morello, debut album released today!