G-Fire

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G-Fire, 2004-01-09
G-Fire - self titledbrBoosweet RecordsbrVeteran guitarists Morris O'Connor, Vernon Neilly, Kevin Chokan and Miquel Mega have combined their prodigious talents into a hot jazz fusion guitar feast. From the rocking "Flight to Ecstacy" to the funk groove of "Little Sunflower" and back alley shuffle of "Sundown Blues" these four axe slingers create instrumental music that is sweet one moment and blistering the next. Backed by solid chops of several fine players, this is a must for any connoisseurs of the six string."

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Guitars Sizzle On G-Fire, 2003-12-19
G-Fire is the smooth jazz / jazz fusion collection released by Boosweet Records featuring four of the hottest modern day guitarists including Vernon Neilly, Morris O'Connor, Kevin Chokan and Miguel Mega. The set contains three tracks from each artist which build on their already incredible success these artists have achieved with R'n'B icons such as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, George Duke, Billy Paul and The Jazz Crusaders to name but a few. The quailty of the performances needs no introduction.pVernon Neilly's tracks are more urban with use of an electric guitar sound reminiscent of Larry Coryell or Jay Graydon and the use of a heavy sustain on 'Flight To Ecstacy' gives it an almost Carlos Santana feel and the long sustained notes he achieved on his Yamaha on tracks like 'Samba Pa Ti' and 'Europa'. This track has a driving melody where Vernon exchanges lead riffs with the dynamic Juan Nelson lead bass sound and a marvellous piano break by Cori Jacobs in the Herbie Hancock mould. br'Moonlight In Paradise' is a mid tempo cut with Vernon exchanging melodic duties with saxman Rick Keller on this Larry Carlton meets Kirk Whalum sounding track which radiates an infectious melody which demands attention. 'Passion Quest' continues in the same vein.pAll of the tracks were self penned by the artists with the exception of Freddie Hubbard's classic 'Little Sunflower' performed by Morris O'Connor which is an early George Benson type mid-tempo groove with clever chord riffs underpinned by a heavy bass accent and rock steady drumming. brHis track 'B'Town' is played on an acoustic flat-top and is a Peter White mid tempo affair with cascading synths providing a tropical feel to this beautiful smooth jazz cut. br"Still Waiting" is another acoustic track which has a simplistic melody draped by the predominent bass synth which harmonises with Morris' angelic playing and more music for a relaxing evening in.pKevin Chokan's sound is very hip and offers a 70's Tower of Power appeal with the very funky 'Do Da' which has all the appeal of those great funk days of George Clinton and Funkedelic, Blue Magic and early George Duke albums. Roger Smith of Tower of Power actaully plays piano and organ on this track.br'Fanci Panz' continues with Kevin's urban sound coupled with the trumpet of Tim Chokan providing a Tom Brown / Miles Davis harmony to this track which sounds almost Isaac Hayes at times. Kevin's guitar licks and rhythmic wah-wah personally provide me with a 'trip down memory lane' to those great funk albums of the seventies. br'Passin Thru' is another smooth jazz track with Kevin playing on a nylon strung guitar in the Earl Klugh / Ricardo Silvieri ilk and this showcase with the Chris Botti sounding trumpet of Tim Chokan is easy listening smooth jazz personified.pMiguel Mega's tracks add more a free-form exchange appeal to the tracks on offer with the uran sounding 'Wooded' with rasping guitar lead in the Kevin Eubanks vein with a thread of similarity to Slash.br'Rice'N'Beans' is a Weather Report sound with a Jaco Pastorious fretless bass played by Andrei Galli coupling with a soprano sax of Mauricio Fernandes giving it a 'Black Market' feel with a synergy of HerbieHancock piano break played by Daneil Teles. Miguel keeps this fusion on track with searing lead riffs.br'Sun Down Blues' provides a Ry Cooder / Keb'Mo' blues affair which is a welcome addition to a wonderful collection of featured guitarist blended exquisitly by the Boosweet Records team. An album of variety and appeal and available now from majorbrretailers everywhere.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Guitars On Fire, 2003-12-19
The concept of this diverse album is to assemble four terrific guitar players to demonstrate their creativity by performing in a stylistically diverse array of musical settings-including fusion and rock-based genres to smooth jazz and RB ballads.pG-Fire is comprised of eleven original tunes, and a cover of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower" which has evolved into a jazz standard. Each of the four guitarists has his compositional works spotlighted during the album.br"Flight To Ecstasy" is the opening track, and bursts open with a captivating, deep, down-medium groove, supported by conga drums, and a tour-de-force rock-oriented guitar solo by Neilly, whose solo sounds were influenced by Larry Coryell's techno-musical approach. An impressive, pyro-technically piano solo follows by Cory Jacobs.brMorris O'Connor is featured on Hubbard's "Little Sunflower." Hubbard's original was performed with a bossa kind groove. Here, the down-tempo, funky RB back beat groove provides a platform for mid 1970s George Benson-influenced soloing.brKevin Chokan demonstrates his arranging skills on "Do-Da." This funky rocker, sports a medium groove, with syncopated baritone sax riffs, underscoring the brass.br"Moonlight In Paradise" is smooth, light and airy, underscored by pleasant, uncomplicated harmonic movement. There's an enjoyable alto sax solo (Rick Keller), and more impressive guitar soloing by Neilly.brB-Town is my favorite track. It features O'Connor, and has a catchy melody highlighted by a syncopated line over a cross-rhythm (three beats against four).pThis album is superbly produced, features highly professional sounding compositions and arrangements, and both musical and technically awe-inspiring guitar solos and chops, in the fusion and smooth jazz genres-Jazz Improv Magazine

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

A Guitar Enthusiasts Dream Come True!, 2003-12-15
A guitar enthusiasts dream come true! Four distinctive, critically-acclaimed, top-notch guitarists emerge with an all instrumental CD. Disclaimer on CD should read, "Please do not attempt this at home". Guitarist, composer, featured artist and executive producer, Vernon Neilly (Johnny Guitar Watson, Teena Marie) is joined by three of his compadres, Morris O'Connor (Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight), Kevin Chokan (Diana Ross, Jeffrey Osborne) and Miguel Mega (Brazilian Jazz artist); these gifted gentlemen are truly some of the most in-demand recording and touring players in the music biz. The fiery foursome were able to steal time from their hectic schedules to create a project rich in varying guitar styles, combining elements of smooth jazz and jazz fusion. All songs on this effort are originals, with the exception of "Little Sunflower", which was crafted by Freddie Hubbard and Al Jarreau. G-FIRE launches with a killer track by Neilly called "Flight To Ecstacy"... Twelve tracks in all, with each artist taking three turns. Neilly's, intoxicating, sweet electric style is alluring and captivating; O'Connor's tunes are textured with smooth styles, sure to appeal to smooth jazz fans. Chokan has the corner on funk and groove on this effort including "Passin Thru", a silky piece that features the guitarist on trumpet, and Mega's soaring leads deliver strong tracks that include "Wooded" and "Rice Beans". G-Fire: all four one and one for all! ~Sandy Shore